Armenian FM meets with Artsakh counterpart
16:27, 5 January, 2021
YEREVAN, JANUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian has arrived in the Republic of Artsakh on a working visit, Foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan said on Facebook.
The Armenian FM has already met with newly-appointed Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan.
The two ministers signed a 2021 consultation plan between the Armenian and Artsakh foreign ministries.
Armenian News Network / Armenian News
Conversation on Armenian News: Conversation with LHK Leader Edmon Marukyan
ANN/Armenian News
December 23, 2020
Guest
Edmon Marukyan
Hovik Manucharyan
Asbed Bedrossian
Hello and welcome to the Armenian News Network, Armenian News. Today we are continuing our discussions with different representatives of the Armenian political opposition in the aftermath of the November 9 ceasefire agreement.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
Following the trilateral Karabakh ceasefire of Nov 9, all major political forces in Armenia (except for the ruling party) condemned Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to the deal. While the dissatisfaction with the agreement is widespread, the opposition is not entirely unified on what to do next.
We’ll talk with the leader of one of the 2 parliamentary opposition factions, Bright Armenia about his, and his party’s vision and subsequent actions to be taken by Armenia.
What is Bright Armenia’s vision for post November, Armenia? Listen to this podcast to find out.
Today we’re joined by:
Edmon Marukyan, who is an Armenian lawyer and Member of National Assembly. Edmon holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Jurisprudence from the Public Administration Academy of Armenia and the second one in Law (LL.M.) with concentration in International Human Rights Law from the University of Minnesota Law School. In December 2015, Marukyan established the Bright Armenia Political Party and in October 2016, Bright Armenia participated in local-self- government elections of Vanadzor and came in second after the ruling party. In December 2016, in cooperation with “Civic Contract” and “Republic” parties, “Bright Armenia” formed a political coalition named “Way Out” (or Yelq), electing Edmon Marukyan to lead the proportional list of the Coalition in parliamentary elections of April 2, 2017. The “Way Out” Coalition came in third out of four political powers forming the new Parliament. In the snap elections of December 2018, after the dissolution of parliament following the Velvet Revolution, in which 11 political powers took part, Bright Armenia Party, led by Marukyan came in third, taking 18 seats out of 132. Currently Edmon Marukyan leads the Bright Armenia Faction in the National Assembly of Armenia.
Bright Armenia’s position on the causes of the war as well as on the Nov. 9 ceasefire agreement.
Bright Armenia has not joined the movement of 17 political parties, called the Homeland Salvation Movement, that are publicly protesting in the streets. What are the party’s views and strategies that keep Bright Armenia on its separate path as an opposition party?
Nikol Pashinyan has characterized the opposition protests so far as elitist and unrepresentative of society. Additionally, his team claims that he still has significant support from the population at large, citing the apparently large turnout during his march to Yerablur. What is your assessment of Armenian voters’ support for Im Qayl? How can anyone measure the level of support that the PM, Vazken Manukyan or you yourself have?
What are the common denominators between your party and the 17 opposition parties? Are there any issues of contestation?
Media reports suggest that the government is trying to accelerate efforts to change the electoral code in Armenia, potentially in preparation for calling snap parliamentary elections (potentially without an “interim” period where the prime minister would resign). As a member of parliament are you aware of efforts to speed up changes to the electoral code? And what is your opinion on this strategy in general?
Where do you see Bright Armenia in Armenia’s political landscape and in general, what is your party’s vision for Armenia over the next 5-10 years?
That concludes this Conversation On Armenian News. We hope it was helpful in your understanding of some of the issues involved. We look forward to your feedback, including your suggestions for Conversation topics in the future. Contact us on our website, at groong.org, or on our Facebook Page “ANN – Armenian News”, or in our Facebook Group “Armenian News – Armenian News Network”.
Special thanks to Laura Osborn for providing the music for our podcast. On behalf of everyone in this episode, we wish you a good week. Thank you for listening and we’ll talk to you soon.
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Bright Armenia, Edmon Marukyan, Armenia, Artsakh, Karabakh, Opposition, Salvation of the Homeland, Nikol Pashinyan, National Assembly
11:20, 24 December, 2020
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The winter conscription for mandatory military service will start on December 25 in Armenia, the Cabinet approved during a session today.
Servicemen who have passed their mandatory 2-year service will be demobilized by February 14.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
"Azerbaijan is increasing its military expenditures in 2021, since it sees an opportunity to completely bring Armenia and Artsakh down," the head of 'Henaket' analytical center Tigran Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook, adding: " Those, believing Turkey and Azerbaijan will be satisfied with what has already been achieved, are bitterly mistaken They will attempt to take the maximum,"
"Until today, the authorities have been giving up whatever was demanded. It is fearsome to even imagine what other 'surprises' are ahead," added Abrahamyan.
20:05,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. By the decision of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Argishti Kyaramyan has been appointed Deputy Chairman of Investigative Committee, ARMENPRESS was informed from e-gov.am website.
Kyaramyan served as deputy head of the State Oversight Service and NSS Director during the period of 2019-2020. He was dismissed from the position of NSS Director on October 8.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Zinichev.
The Prime Minister praised the activities of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in helping restore normal life in Nagorno Karabakh, providing humanitarian assistance to the citizens, and thanked them for the effective cooperation with the Armenian side.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Armenian government attaches importance to the continuous development of strategic cooperation with Russia, emphasizing the key role of Russia in strengthening peace and stability in the region.
“We are interested in further development of cooperation with Russia in all spheres, including security, economy and humanitarian spheres,” said the Prime Minister, emphasizing the development and implementation of new joint programs in various fields.
Yevgeny Zinichev provided details on the humanitarian activities carried out by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in Artsakh and noted that the transportation of humanitarian cargo and other works are carried out without problems, in close cooperation with Armenian partners.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to the full realization of the potential of the Armenian-Russian Humanitarian Center, further cooperation in the field of emergency situations and rapid response.
Pilgrimage to the Armenian St. Thaddeus Apostle Monastery in Iran has been inscribed on UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The annual three-day pilgrimage to St. Thaddeus Apostle Monastery in northwestern Iran is held each July. The pilgrimage venerates two prominent saints: St. Thaddeus, one of the first apostles preaching Christianity, and St. Santukhd, the first female Christian martyr.
The bearers of the element are the Armenian population in Iran, Iranian-Armenians residing in Armenia, and followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pilgrims gather in Tabriz before departing for the monastery. They cover 700 kilometers from Yerevan to the monastery annually.
The commemoration ceremony includes special liturgies, processions, prayers and fasting. It culminates in a Holy Mass with Holy Communion. Special times are set aside for traditional Armenian folk performances and Armenian dishes are served.
The pilgrimage is the primary social and cultural event of the year. Because attendees reside in tents in close proximity to one another, the sense of community is enhanced. The monastery has been a pilgrimage site for over nineteen centuries.
However, during the years of Soviet power in Armenia, participating in the pilgrimage was prohibited. Bearers of the element preserved cultural memories of the pilgrimage and transmitted it to families and communities. Only after independence in the 1990s was the pilgrimage from Armenia resumed.
https://en.armradio.am/2020/12/17/pilgrimage-to-the-armenian-st-thaddeus-monastery-in-iran-inscribed-on-unesco-intangible-heritage-list/
17:18,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan says snap parliamentary elections must be held as soon as possible when it is technically and physically possible.
“We will go to elections when we are ready. I think that the elections should take place”, the Vice Speaker told reporters in the Parliament, stating that the citizens of Armenia should be granted with an opportunity on making a decision.
Asked when the elections will take place, he said he wants it as soon as possible. “As soon as possible, when it will be possible both technically and physically. I think there cannot be any other opinion”, he said.
Alen Simonyan emphasized that the power will be formed only by the people, the decision will be made by the people.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan