Author: Diana Dabaghian

 16:46, 11 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. In the frameworks of the EU funded “Armenian-Georgian Platform for Policy Development” project the Yerevan and Tbilisi Schools of Political Studies organize a series of focus group meetings on fight against corruption, anti-discrimination and tourism for economic growth.

The second Armenian-Georgian focus group meeting on Anti-discrimination took place on 8-9 February 2020 in Dilijan, Armenia. During the two-day event 20 representatives from Yerevan and Tbilisi Schools of Political Studies carried out discussions on equality, human rights and non-discrimination issues in Armenia and in Georgia. The group of young leaders looked into the existing gaps and challenges, as well as underlined the importance of the education and large public awareness raising activities in order to establish culture of tolerance and diversity and to percept equality as a core element for human rights.

Qualified Armenian and Georgian experts presented the situation, legal regulations and policies to overcome the challenges for effective and full protection from the discrimination for all groups. Debates and discussions included topics like discrimination grounds, domestic legislation and international standards, disability, political belonging or social status, religion or belief, equal rights in education, employment and career.

The results of the focus group discussions will be reflected in policy recommendations with concrete actions prepared by experts of the Yerevan and Tbilisi Schools of Political Studies, to support the authorities to combat discrimination and advance equality as a fundamental human right and a basic principle of social justice. The policy recommendation will be presented at the conference to be held in Armenia in June 2020.

“Armenian-Georgian Platform for Policy Development” project is funded by the European Union Delegation to Armenia under the Rapid Response Mechanism of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility. The project is implemented by the Yerevan School of Political Studies in cooperation with the Tbilisi School of Political Studies. Both Schools belong to the Network of the European Association of the Schools of Political Studies.

There has never been such decline in passenger flow: Armenia’s Revazyan on COVID-19 situation

 13:13, 13 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. Chairwoman of the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia Tatevik Revazyan says there is a major decline in passenger flow caused by the novel coronavirus, but states that it’s still too early to talk about its damages.

“It’s too early to talk about the damages, but such a case has never taken place in the whole world. There has never been such a decline in the passenger flow. Various specialists compare this situation with the Second World War”, she told reporters after the session of the commission preventing the spread of the COVID-19, adding that the economy really depends on that passenger flow.

Revazyan said there is really a drastic decline, but this problem doesn’t concern Armenia only. The other states suffered much greater losses. As of now RyanAir has cancelled its flights, but the WizzAir didn’t. “There are no so serious cancellations, but the passenger flow definitely declined”, she said.

In response to the question on closing air border with the risky countries, she said: “This seems a step that will solve all our problems, but this can make the problem more serious. If the passengers, who had already arrived, would have come via transit routes, the situation would be much more difficult. We have direct flights, can take measures in the airport for the arriving passengers to be separated from the remaining ones. The issue of the transit is much more difficult”, she said.

Cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Armenia starting March 1. As of now, the total number of the confirmed cases is 6.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:08, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on the sidelines of his official visit, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The Georgian President highly valued the friendly relations of the two countries and stated that the issues and initiatives discussed during today’s meetings will give a new impetus to the further development and strengthening of the ties.

Nikol Pashinyan said he is happy to meet with Mrs. Zourabichvili during his official visit in Georgia to discuss the prospects of further deepening and developing the relations of the two states. “It’s a pleasure to once again meet with you. I can state that the Armenian-Georgian relations have recorded a positive development since our first meeting”, the Armenian PM said.

The Armenian PM and the Georgian President continued discussing several issues of the bilateral agenda. Thereafter, their discussion continued around a luncheon.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

ArmInfo.The meeting in Munich with the President of Azerbaijan is a turning point. The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview with  the Public Television Channel of Armenia. He explained his statement  by the fact that, starting with May 2018, Azerbaijan has been trying  to convince the international community that Armenia has a  destructive position on the issue of regulating the Karabakh issue. 

,- said the prime  minister.Secondly, Pashinyan emphasized that the meeting testifies to  the fulfillment of one of the most important promises given by it -  the absence of secrets from the people in the matter of the  negotiation process. , the head of the Armenian government emphasized.And  thirdly, according to him, a new content of the negotiation process  of the Karabakh issue was formed, which the prime minister  conditionally called "Munich principles"., the Prime  minister noted.

Referring to the next principle "There are no territories, there is  security>, Pashinyan remarked:" When we say that the status quo was  formed and the armed forces of Artsakh took control of the territory,  they did it not for pleasure, but for hopelessness – in order to lead  Azerbaijan's aggressive actions from Nagorno- Karabakh. Therefore,  the concept of "territory" is not discussed in this context>, he  said. Therefore, as the prime minister noted, if there is an  effective proposal to ensure this security, let the proposal be  submitted by Azerbaijan, the international community, and the  Armenian people will decide how acceptable it is.  , He stressed. In  particular, the issue of acceptability of the solution for the people  of Artsakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan relates to the next Munich  principle. Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia and Artsakh are ready to  make efforts to find such a solution, Azerbaijan should demonstrate a  similar willingness. In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized that  the Armenian side never spoke of readiness to cede territory. , he said. Referring to another  principle, Pashinyan noted that the Karabakh issue cannot be resolved  in one or two actions, micro-revolutions, mini- revolutions and a  breakthrough are needed here. "This should be built at the genetic  level, in people's minds," he concluded.

 17:40,

MUNICH, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The 56th Munich Security Conference launched on February 14.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is also participating in the Conference, Armenpress correspondent reports from Munich. Pashinyan arrived at the hotel Bayerischer Hof, the venue of the Conference, which gathered global leaders.

The Munich Security Conference is an annual conference on international security policy which gathers several dozen heads of state and government, public, political figures, diplomats, security experts under one roof. This year’s Conference will focus on topics whether the EU countries are more closely cooperating in the defense field, whether the world is facing security challenges caused by climate change, etc.

The three-day Conference will host more than 500 delegates. Presidents, prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers from over 40 countries of the world will participate in the Conference. Among the participants are French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Russian and Iranian foreign ministers are expected to deliver remarks at the event.

On the sidelines of the Conference the Armenian PM will have several bilateral meetings with his foreign counterparts and other officials.

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian attended the 2019 Munich Security Conference and this year as well will participate in the opening of the Conference.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan