Author: Ani Tigranian

Artak Beglaryan appointed State Minister of Artsakh

Ani Tigranian
Public Radio of Armenia
June 1 2021
 

President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan has signed a decree dismissing Grigory Martirosyan from the post of State Minister, Minister of Finance, according to his application.

Artak Beglaryan has been appointed State Minister, resigning from the post of Chief of Staff of the President.

By another decree of the President of the Republic, a change was made in the structure of the Government of the Republic of Artsakh, according to which the Minister of Finance will no longer exercise the powers of the State Minister.

By the decree signed by the President of the country, the State Minister will coordinate the activities of the following ministers:

1) Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Migration
2) Minister of Health
3) Minister of Justice
4) Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports

Robert Kocharyan meets with legal scholars, advocates, former law enforcement officers

Ani Tigranian
Panorama, Armenia

Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan met with a group of legal scholars, advocates and former law enforcement officers in Yerevan on Monday, the Armenia bloc led by him said in a Facebook post.

"It’s important to discuss legal issues with the people who have joined this struggle. In the past, there was an understanding that a good lawyer was the one who succeeded in coming to terms with a prosecutor. But later a system was formed in Armenia, where a good lawyer is considered the one who can fight in court," Kocharyan said at the meeting.

Referring to the criminal case launched against him and several other former officials, he said numerous violations were committed during the criminal proceedings.

"There are many violations committed as part of the so-called March 1 criminal case against me and several other former officials. I often did not notice many of those violations, my lawyers did it. I must admit that for a while I was somewhat disappointed with jurisprudence. During the court hearings, the prosecutor and the lawyers made claims that were contradictory but, at the same time, virtually expressed the same idea. This was a discovery for me and I was surprised that it is called science. This is very flexible science," Kocharyan said.

There are not few actors interested in provoking a new wave of escalation on the border – Tigran Abrahamyan

Ani Tigranian
Panorama, Armenia
May 19 2021

The Head of "Henaket" analytical center Tigran Abrahamyan commented on the statement of Armenia's Defense Ministry on Wednesday that the Azerbaijani side had failed to show up at the planned talks on the peaceful settlement of the border situation after its incursion into Armenian territory. 

"The Ministry's statement shows that not few actors are interested in the emerged tense situation and  provoking new provocations and escalation. On the other hand, Iran and Russia consider the further escalation of the situation running counter to their vital interests and activate their efforts to prevent large-scale military actions. There is much work to be done especially with these two countries and coordinate with their general approaches," Abrahamyan wrote, adding: "The aim is to prevent further aggravation of the situation but that should not be at the expense of new concessions, disrespect and losses."

President Sarkissian calls on army, NSS to take toughest measures against encroachments on Armenia’s territory

Ani Tigranian

President Sarkissian calls on army, NSS to take toughest measures against encroachments on Armenia's territory

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 18:35,

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS.   President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian issued a statement, calling on the Defense Ministry, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the National Security Service to make all possible efforts and take the toughest measures against the encroachments on Armenia's territorial integrity and border violations.

ARMENPRESS reports, the statement runs as follows,

''Dear compatriots,

During these days, for obvious reasons, we are all focused on our borders. The Azerbaijani armed forces violated the Armenian border in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces and it's already a few days they are illegally situated in our country.

In the current situation, the unconditional responsibility of the state and state structures to bring the country out of the crisis is especially important, particularly, in terms of ensuring security.

I call on the Defense Ministry, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the National Security Service to make all possible efforts and take the toughest measures against the encroachments on Armenia's territorial integrity and border violations.

No less important is the use of our diplomatic arsenal with all its might. Strengthening Armenia's international preputation, cooperation with international partners and deepening allied relations are a necessity. These relations must be built on a realistic, targetted agenda. It is necessary to launch the whole toolkit of both traditional and public diplomacy, to involve the Diaspora, to use all the resources.

The existing situation and our approach and response must be understandable to our international partners.

The society must be timely and accurately informed about the processes taking place, being sure that they are protected, that the state, regardless of political or other factors, carries out its functions.

Dear compatriots, In the current situation, national unity is again imperative: Armenia, Artsakh, Diaspora. Only then can we solve security, economic, domestic and all other problems. We must realize that we have one border, the border of the Homeland.

As a state and nation, we must have one and the same national agenda. Each of us, in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, must act within the framework of that common agenda. Only a strong, stable, united, Armenia can represent and defend the interests of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian people''.

Turkish press: Parliament speaker asks Iceland not to support ‘genocide’ draft

Ani Tigranian
 ISTANBUL DIPLOMACY 
MAY 18, 2021 9:06 AM GMT+3
Turkey's Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop speaks to reporters at a news conference in front of the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, April 20, 2021. (Sabah Photo)


Turkey's Parliament Speaker requested his Icelander counterpart not to support the resolution on the 1915 incidents involving Armenians as "genocide."

Mustafa Şentop sent a letter to Steingrimur Sigfusson on Monday, saying that the draft resolution submitted in Iceland's parliament was built on groundless allegations.

"I learned that a draft resolution, which built on groundless allegations and aimed at recognizing the events of 1915 as genocide, has been submitted to your parliament. It is obvious that such unfounded attempts, which we know that they emerged with the provocation of some circles, will result in nothing but shadowing the good relations that exist between our countries," Şentop said in the letter.

He said that considering both historical facts and legal norms, it is not possible to relate these events to any genocide.

"I believe that we should not allow this controversial historical issue, which is not under the jurisdiction of the parliaments, to affect our bilateral relations and cooperation," he emphasized.

Turkey's position on the 1915 events is that the death of Armenians in eastern Anatolia took place when some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties, compounded by massacres committed by militaries and militia groups of both sides. The mass arrests of prominent Ottoman Armenian politicians, intellectuals and other community members suspected of links with separatist groups or of harboring nationalist sentiments and hostility toward the Ottoman rule took place in then-capital Istanbul on April 24, 1915, a date commemorated as the beginning of later atrocities.

Turkey objects to the presentation of the incidents as "genocide" but describes the 1915 events as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.

Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.

In 2014, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was the country's prime minister at the time, expressed condolences to the descendants of Armenians who lost their lives in the events of 1915.

Armenian President visits Moscow School of Management "Skolkovo"

Ani Tigranian

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 16:17,

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian visited the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO during his working visit in Russia where he met with Chairman of the Board of Directors of the school Alexander Voloshin, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The Armenian President got acquainted with the activity of one of the leading business schools of Russia, its ongoing educational and research projects, innovations, the studies and analysis conducted in economy, management and a number of other fields.

Armen Sarkissian and Alexander Voloshin discussed the opportunities of cooperation, implementation of joint programs between the Skolkovo and Armenian educational, analytical institutions.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Sports: Two Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers secure Olympic berths

Ani Tigranian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 8 2021

Two Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers secure Olympic berths

Armenian Greco-Roman wrestlers Armen Melikyan (60 kg) and Karen Aslanyan (67 kg) have secured Olympic berths.

In the last wrestling ranking tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Armenian athletes reached the final, thus booking their place in the Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo.

The victorious performances of the Armenian wrestlers were followed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Science and Sports Karen Giloyan and Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Bulgaria Armen Yedigaryan.

Armenia currently has eight Olympic berths․ Boxer Koryun Soghomonyan, gymnast Arthur Davtyan, Greco-Roman wrestlers Arthur Aleksanyan and Karapet Chalyan, freestyle wrestlers Arsen Harutyunyan and Vazgen Tevanyan will also participated in the Games.

Criminal cases opened against Baku for using banned weapons against Artsakh, says Armenia’s prosecutor general

Ani Tigranian
Panorama, Armenia
May 6 2021

Criminal cases have been opened against Azerbaijan for using banned weapons against the Armenians of Artsakh during last year’s war, Armenia’s Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan said at the parliament on Thursday, responding to a question of independent MP Sergey Bagratyan.

"During the military operations, constant monitoring was carried out, there was constant contact with the units of the armed forces and proceedings were launched based on any piece of information provided. Our task during those days was not to leave any report about a war crime unanswered. We attached great importance to it as a tool to create an evidence base and identify all possible culprits," he said.

Asked whether specific persons have already been involved as defendants in those cases, Artur Davtyan said the process is ongoing, without further elaborating.

"They were involved yesterday and will be involved tomorrow as well. But at the moment we cannot make public statements on it all,” he said. 

Lavrov to meet with Pashinyan during visit to Armenia

Ani Tigranian
TASS, Russia
May 5 2021

MOSCOW, May 5. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during a visit to Armenia on May 5-6, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Wednesday.

"On May 5-6, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov will come to the Republic of Armenia on a working visit, during which he plans to meet with Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and to hold talks with Acting Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan," the ministry informed.

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that Lavrov’s current visit to Armenia is a continuation of intensive Russian-Armenian political dialogue aimed to strengthen multifaceted bilateral cooperation and to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The ministry also pointed out the development of interparliamentary ties and announced the upcoming visit of President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan to Moscow. "The delegation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation attended the commemorative events in Yerevan dedicated to the genocide of the Armenian population during the First World War. President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan plans to come to Moscow on an official visit on May 16-18," the message says.

Turkish-Cypriot leader Tatar criticises Biden’s recognition of Armenian genocide

Ani Tigranian
Cyprus Mail
April 27 2021
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By Nick TheodoulouApril 26, 2021April 26, 2021 

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has criticised US President Joe Biden’s recognition of the genocide of Armenians in 1915.

Tatar took to Twitter to “condemn the US President’s unfortunate statement”, further saying that Turkey has a rich history of protecting the rights of minorities.

On Saturday, Biden broke with decades of carefully calibrated White House comments over the 1915 genocide, delighting Armenia and its diaspora but further straining ties between Washington and Ankara.

“The Turkish nation protects minorities in whichever geographical location they may be, guaranteeing their rights and freedoms,” Tatar said.

“If some attempt to tarnish the history of the Turkish nation, which is filled with dignity and honour, for political reasons – then they must also look at the atrocities committed by Eoka during the period of 1963-1974,” he said.

Late last week, Vartkes Mahdessian, the representative of the Armenian community in the House of Representatives spoke to the Cyprus Mail ahead of Biden’s announcement and spoke of its deep significance.

“This would be the vindication of our struggles over so many years for recognition, of the tragic events which occurred in 1915 and 1923,” Mahdessian told the Cyprus Mail.