Author: Edgar Tavakalian

Armenia’s Civil Aviation Committee denies reports on being stripped of license

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
April 4 2020

The Armenian Civil Aviation Committee has dismissed media reports claiming that the Committee had been stripped of license.

“Armenia is a sovereign state and no structure can deprive a government agency operating under the law of the Republic of Armenia of its right to exercise its powers,” the Committee said in a statement.

The comments come after some media outlets in Armenia claimed that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had deprived the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee of license.

The Committee further clarifies that between February 3 and 7, 2020, experts from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Union visited the country to evaluate the activity of the Committee and two air companies.  On March 6, 2020, the two companies and the Committee received the preliminary evaluation results from EASA, on which the EASA expected to receive the Committee’s opinion to finalize the report on the evaluation results. The Committee will send its observations to the Agency on April 6.

The European Commission plans to present the Agency’s observations and the Committee’s clarifications, at the hearings of the European safety team meeting to be held in Brussels on May 12-14, 2020.

Armenia’s aviation authority reminds that it has repeatedly stated that the Committee has serious problems that are not new, they have a very long history, and time and resources are needed to modernize the structure. Serious and drastic steps are already being taken in that direction.

The Committee notes that the two air companies that were evaluated will temporarily be deprived of the right to fly to European destinations, but may continue their flights to other countries.

Furthermore, the Committee says the decision only applies to airlines registered in Armenia, which make a limited number of flights to European destinations, and this decision will not affect the flights operated by other international companies. In addition, the Committee says it is working closely with the management of the airlines to find solutions to the situation.

The Civil Aviation Committee has also published an open letter by the Regional Officer for Air Traffic Management (ATM) at ICAO Asia and. Pacific (APAC) Office, to the Armenian people.

In the letter Mr. Wicks notes that the problems at the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee are due to long-term systemic issues going back many years. He voices confidence that the leadership of Ms. Tatevik Revazyan, Chair of the Committee, will enable Armenia to make positive changes, which will strengthen and grow the vital Armenian aviation sector.


Asbarez: Russia Urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to Refrain From Use of Force

Edgar Tavakalian
April 3, 2020

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova

Moscow called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from using force and return to the negotiating table, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday, reported the TASS news agency.

An Armenian journalist asked Zakharova to comment on an incident Monday, when Azerbaijani forces fired on military and civilian targets in Armenia’s Noyemberyan region, as a result of which a teenage boy and two soldiers were injured.

“According to available information, ceasefire violations are taking place on the border,” Zakharova said. “Civilian facilities and vehicles are coming under fire. There have been reports of casualties, including among civilians,” she added, once again failing to place the blame on Azerbaijan, which despite international calls to observe ceasefires during the coronavirus crisis, continues to provoke the situation.

“We call on both parties to show restraint, refrain from using force and return to the negotiating table as soon as the situation allows,” emphasized Zakharova.

Serzh Sargsyan visits Yerablur pantheon

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
April 2 2020

Politics 20:14 02/04/2020Armenia

On the fourth anniversary of the April War of 2016, Armenia’s former president Serzh Sargsyan visited Yerablur Military Pantheon on Thursday and paid tribute to the memory of those who fell during the April military aggression launched by Azerbaijan as well as the heroes of the Artsakh liberation war.

The press office of the third president reports that Sargsyan also laid flowers at the tomb of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan, Commander Andranik Ozanyan and at the Memorial to Perished Freedom-Fighters.

Number of houses damaged by Azerbaijani fire in Baghanis village

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
April 2 2020

On March 30, 2020 at about 18:30 the adversary opened fire from its combats positions  toward Baghanis village of Tavush region.

Armenia’s investigative Committee reports that as a result of the fire, the window glasses and the roofs of seven houses in Baghanis village as well as the front door of the school canteen were damaged. The Inspection of the site revealed numerous bullets of various calibers.

As the source said two criminal cases were initiated in the RA IC Tavush Regional Investigative Department according to articles of the Criminal Code on murder attempt out of motives of national, race or religious hate or fanatism for the purpose of depriving two or more people from life.

CIVILNET.Armenia Records First Coronavirus Death

Edgar Tavakalian
CIVILNET.AM

22:22 
First Coronavirus Death and 28 more cases of coronavirus confirmed. Three Armenian servicemen tested positive for coronavirus. General elections in Nagorno-Karabakh will go ahead. The World Food Program will provide Armenia with ventilators. And the government discussed the 300 Million aid package for businesses.
https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/03/26/Armenia-Records-First-Coronavirus-Death/380028
 

Armenian President holds phone conversation with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

Edgar Tavakalian

Save

Share

 13:50,

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

During their talk the Armenian President and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi exchanged information about the situation in their countries and all over the world caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), highlighting the direct dialogue and exchange of opinions between the leaderships of the two countries.

President Sarkissian said he is aware of the UAE leadership’s ongoing preventive steps and informed that Armenia as well is taking respective measures to fight the spread of the disease.

In the current crisis the sides attached importance to the direct and constant cooperation, exchange of experience and information between the two states. President Sarkissian said the UAE’s experience is very important for Armenia.

In his turn the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said the UAE is ready to support Armenia with all means.

The officials also discussed the January 2020 visit of the Armenian President to the UAE and noted that the agreements reached during the visit are in force and at the implementation stage.

The Armenian President said in such situation the issue of food safety remains relevant in the world. An agreement was reached to accelerate the practical steps to make Armenia a regional platform.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Sports: Joaquin Caparros: Mkhitaryan’s presence is very important for the teammates as they feel more confident on the pitch

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
20:30 23/03/2020

“Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a high-level player, a true professional. I wanted to see him playing against Sevilla, but unfortunately the match didn’t take place due to coronavirus danger,” Joaquin Caparros, the new head coach of Armenian national team told in an interview with  the FFA official site.

“I know that Henrikh is a person devoted to his nation and country. His presence is very important for the teammates as they feel more confident on the pitch,” the head coach added.

Asked what factors played a role in his decision to take charge of the Armenian national team, the Spaniard said: “The fact that Gines Melendez and Antonio Flores, who were my tutors during coaching courses in Spain, are working here, but decisive factor was the program of the FFA. When I met the president for the first time, I understood that this is a serios project. I know how enthusiastic the players are about playing for the national team and what a pride it is to wear a national team jersey.”

Case regarding actions of Armenian "guardians of Revolution" group instituted

Edgar Tavakalian
News.am, Armenia

19:40, 23.03.2020
                  

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia has instituted a criminal case regarding the actions of the members of the “guardians of the Revolution” group. This is what Advisor to the Prosecutor General of Armenia Gor Abrahamyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The case has been instituted under the elements of part 1 of Article 137 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (threat of murder, causing grave harm to health or eliminating property in large amount, if there was a real danger of that threat), but there is still nobody with the status of accused-on-trial or suspect,” Abrahamyan said.

During the election campaign ahead of the constitutional referendum, Nikol Pashinyan had given a booklet entitled “Passport of a Proud Citizen of the Republic of Armenia” to a girl, who had torn it and thrown it at the Prime Minister. Later, there was a video on the Internet in which the girl was talking to a person and telling the latter about the incident, and the person, who had presented himself as “head of a village”, used swear words addressed to the Prime Minister. After a while, a group of young people who presented themselves as “guardians of the Revolution” met that “head of village” and made him apologize to the Prime Minister.

Coronavirus infected Armenians living in Europe feel well – High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs

Edgar Tavakalian

Save

Share

 17:02, 19 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenians living in the member states of the European Union, who were infected with the novel coronavirus, feel well. The Office of Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs keeps in touch with them, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan said during a press conference.

“Large number of Armenians live in Iran, who also live under state of emergency like the local residents. During this period 85-year-old ethnic Armenian woman died from the novel coronavirus in Iran, she also had health problems. The situation in the Netherlands is satisfactory, but as for those in Italy there is no detailed information. We do not have yet concrete information about the infected Armenians living in other European countries, but are in touch with the communities”, he said.

Sinanyan said they are receiving many appeals, e-mails, calls from the Diaspora-Armenians requesting information about the return to Armenia.

On March 16 Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency to fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state of emergency is effective until April 14, at 17:00. As of now, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country is 122, one patient has recovered.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Eduard Martirosyan appointed NSS Director

Edgar Tavakalian

Save

Share

 18:23, 19 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. By the decree of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Eduard Martirosyan has been relieved from the post of acting Director of National Security Service (NSS)of Armenia and and has been appointed NSS Director , ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President's Office.

President Sarkissian appointed Eduard Martirosyan NSS Director based on the relevant proposal of PM Pashinyan.

Eduard Martirosyan was the acting NSS Director replacing former Director Artur Vanetsyan.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan