Author: Liana Toganian

Armenian President receives French Ambassador

Liana Toganian

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 15:08,

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian had a meeting with French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacôte, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The Armenian President and the French Ambassador discussed the current situation caused by the novel coronavirus around the world. The Ambassador presented the situation in France and the actions taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The sides discussed the possible cooperation on this direction.

Talking about the cooperation projects between the two countries in various areas, the President and the Ambassador in particular considered prospective the partnership in new technologies. In this context the President introduced the presidential initiative ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow) aimed at technology, science and education development in Armenia, as well as bringing high-tech companies to Armenia to be engaged in development of artificial intelligence, math modeling, etc. Soon memorandums of understanding will be signed with several famous French companies, and there are also preliminary agreements with others.

The sides also exchanged views on the cooperation opportunities with French scientific-educational institutions in the field of new technologies.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Let’s go, let’s eat: Armenia featured in popular Russian travel show

Liana Toganian
Public Radio of Armenia

The Russian NTV has aired program about Armenia. John Warren, the host of the “Let’s go, let’s eat” travel show visits amazing winter Armenia.

He flies accross the country in a helicopter. John introduces viewers to Tatev Wings, the longest tramway in the world, visits the Hobbit Holes in the resort city of Dilijan and participates in the celebration of Trndez.

He also travels to Armenia’s second largest city of Gymri and а “cave village.”

John tastes delicious Armenian food, learns to cook Armenian ghapama and prepare sweet sujukh.

Armenia parliament majority: CC judges who are politically influenced will not approve reforms we are initiating

Liana Toganian
News.am, Armena

12:53, 11.03.2020
                  

Some of the judges of the Constitutional Court (CC) are obviously politically influenced by some political groups, parties, or individuals. Lilit Makunts, head of the majority My Step faction in the National Assembly of Armenia, stated this during the YES campaign—in the forthcoming referendum on constitutional amendments—in Goris town.

According to her, the CC judges do this openly and by voicing political texts. "They do it in spite of the fact that the judge has no right to engage in politics and has no right to voice political texts," Makunts said. “Taking into account also that the Armenian government has initiated a large agenda for judicial reforms which implies that the judicial system [in the country] should be cleaned, changed, and its work should become effective, naturally, those CC judges who are politically influenced will not approve that reforms’ agenda we are initiating."

She stressed that the judiciary in Armenia should be independent so that if any force tries to rig the elections in the future, the CC, which the people will change by saying “yes” in the forthcoming referendum, will not correct any fraud.

Armenian justice minister receives CoE delegation

Liana Toganian

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 14:33, 2 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS. Justice minister of Armenia Rustam Badasyan received the delegation of the Council of Europe led by Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law Christos Giakoumopoulos, the ministry told Armenpress.

Minister Badasyan and the CoE partners discussed the ways to develop the current effective cooperation, as well as touched upon the ongoing actions being carried out within the judicial reforms.

The sides reached an agreement to deepen the close cooperation.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenia cancels participation in London AI & Big data EXPO due to coronavirus dangers

Liana Toganian

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 17:01, 5 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of High Tech Industry has said that it is cancelling the Armenian delegation’s scheduled participation at the AI & Big data EXPO in London March 17-18 due to risks and dangers associated with the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Meanwhile, the ministry is now discussing the possibility of the Armenian delegation participating in the eponymous expo scheduled for November in Santa Clara, USA.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenian president comments on signing the anti-tobacco law

Liana Toganian
MediaMax, Armenia
March 6 2020
 
 
 
 
Yerevan/Mediamax/. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has signed the law that bans smoking in indoor public places and all catering establishments.
 
“As I was putting down my signature, I thought as the president and as a citizen of Armenia, does there have to be a law for people to understand the damage that smoking causes to health, family, society, and environment? Does the formal wording of laws have more influence on us than what our parents teach us, the advice from our relatives and friends, and the stories about the danger of smoking we read every day?” said Armen Sarkissian.
 
According to him, it is never too late to quit and there should not be need for state intervention for that.
 
“Of course, the law sets certain restrictions that everyone has to obey. However, it is an individual decision whether to think or not think about the health of your family, our people, and our country.
 
On the other hand, both smokers and non-smokers are our citizens and no legislative restriction, even if it serves for public good, should become a reason of intolerance. The government is responsible for facilitating positive changes in smokers’ behavior through policies, including establishment of favorable conditions for healthy lifestyle,” added President Sarkissian.
 
 
 
 

Armenian President congratulates Serbian counterpart on 50th birthday

Liana Toganian

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 09:37, 5 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić on his 50th birthday anniversary, the Armenian President’s Office told Armenpress.

President Sarkissian wished his Serbian counterpart success and new achievements in his responsible position for the benefit of the prosperity of the Serbian Republic, the increase of its reputation and role in the international arena.

“I express my deepest gratitude for your personal contribution to the development and strengthening of the Armenian-Serbian friendly relations, which are constantly enriching with joint projects in commercial, scientific-research, high technology, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres.

I highly value our personal relationship and I am confident that with joint efforts we will develop the multisectoral cooperation between Armenia and Serbia for the benefit of our peoples”, the Armenian President said in his letter.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Georgian Defense Minister on Official Visit to Armenia

Liana Toganian
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi
Feb 28 2020
28/02/2020 – 13:54

 

Georgian delegation headed by Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili is visiting neighboring Armenia on February 27-28.

Defense Minister held talks with his Armenian counterpart Davit Tonoyan discussing regional security and stability. The Ministers signed a bilateral cooperation plan envisaging deepening ties between the two Ministries. Georgian delegation then visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, Armenian Ministry of Defense wrote.

Started my official visit to Yerevan by meeting my colleague David Tonoyan. We signed a bilateral cooperation plan between our ministries and discussed the ways to strengthen our ties and foster regional security. pic.twitter.com/Cch4AqBKVp

— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe)

In the course of the visit Georgia’s Defense Minister also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. “Prime Minister Pashinyan and Minister Garibashvili stressed that the two nations are bound by centuries-old historical, cultural ties and Christian values, which provide a solid basis for closer interaction between the two countries,” Pashinyan’s Office reported. 

“I reaffirmed our good neighborhood and friendly relations with Armenian people”, tweeted Garibashvili. He also voiced support for the policy of balanced relations to foster security in the [South Caucasus] region. The two sides agreed that joint efforts should be made to that end.

Met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to reaffirm our good neighborhood and friendly relations with Armenian people. Georgia supports the policy of balanced relations to promote security in the region. pic.twitter.com/9J2IW6G1oY

— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe)

Defense Minister will conclude his journey on February 28, after paying a visit to Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians and Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.


All measures taken to prevent coronavirus in Armenia

Liana Toganian

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 11:46,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. During today’s session the members of the Cabinet of Armenia firstly discussed the ongoing actions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus before passing to the agenda.

Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan introduced details about the spread of the virus in the world and the region and stated that today he talked to his Georgian counterpart over phone, and the latter informed that the first case of coronavirus confirmed in Georgia has been imported to the country from another country. “This person and 4 others who communicated with him have been put in isolation”, the minister said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan added that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the disease, and Armenia continues living in its normal course. “The public should be convinced that they will be notified in case of any concerning information”, the PM said, adding that major preventive measures have also been taken in the Armed Forces and urged the parents of soldiers to understand the situation.

“The Armenian citizens should be convinced that hiding any case is impossible, I know that in such cases those who spread panic become more, but be confident that the government will in no way hide any information from the public if there is any case”, the PM said, adding that at the moment there is nothing to worry about in that regard.

In his turn deputy PM Tigran Avinyan stated that if, in any case, the virus enters into Armenia, all preventive measures are already taken, even in much better way compared to many other developed countries.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenia says will close border with Iran over virus

Liana Toganian