Author: Maral Takmazian

Armenian General Benevolent Union Launches AGBU LA Cares Initiative to Help Those Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Maral Takmazian
Yahoo! Finance
GlobeNewswire

AGBU LA Cares: Meeting Needs in Unprecedented Times

Los Angeles, CA, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has launched AGBU LA Cares, an initiative designed to help those in need of basic food necessities due to recent financial hardship stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

AGBU and members of the community came together on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 to distribute the first round of food and water to those who need help during these difficult times. Adhering to strict social distancing and sanitary guidelines, items were packaged to help families prepare balanced and nutritious meals, with each box aimed to provide one to two weeks of food.

AGBU’s network of volunteers are supporting this endeavor by helping package, distribute, and fundraise. Levon Keshishian, Director of Facilities & Assets at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in Canoga Park, is spearheading the important task of coordinating purchases and collections, working closely with the school chef to select a variety of high-quality products.

The volunteers packed cheese, lentils, salt, tea, oil, rice, spaghetti, and additional items in hopes of helping those who have limited access to food. In a symbolic gesture marking the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, AGBU launched the AGBU LA Cares initiative on Friday, April 24, 2020, inviting anyone in need to sign up at agbugiving.org/LAcares/. Over 100 boxes were reserved in less than 48 hours.

The contact-less pickups were arranged from the AGBU Canoga Park school and Pasadena high school and center where team members in requisite masks and gloves delivered the boxes and cases of water directly into the trunks of those who came by. With easy check-ins through designaged areas to make the pick-up both safe and efficient, both recipients and volunteers adhered to social distancing guidelines.

Yervant Demirjian, AGBU Central Board Member and the heart behind the AGBU LA Cares Initiative said, "We care more than ever about our extended family during these extraordinary times. As Armenians and Los Angeleans we feel even closer as a community. We hope this package from AGBU LA Cares will put a smile on the faces of those who need it the most, even if only for a few seconds." AGBU will continue their efforts to help those who need it most. Distributions are extended through the month of May. If you or someone you know in the Los Angeles area are in need of essentials, please visit agbu.org/LAcares to reserve a box.

AGBU is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. In the western region of the United States, home to more than a million American citizens of Armenian origin, AGBU’s Western District office is located in Pasadena and serves the Armenian community through its chapters; special groups; community centers; schools; cultural, artistic, social, and youth-oriented programs such as sports and scouts; a theater company; and a mentorship program.

To learn more about AGBU, visit www.agbu.org and https://agbuwesterndistrict.org/.

Annie Agopian
Armenian General Benevolent Union
8182741444

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/armenian-general-benevolent-union-launches-230520803.html

Armenia’s PM described him and working style of own mass media: Satik Seyranyan on Pashinyan’s statement

Maral Takmazian
Aysor, Armenia

Head of Journalists Union Satik Seyranyan said she viewed yesterday’s live video of the prime minister twice.

Speaking to Aysor.am, Seyranyan said if the words would have been uttered by anyone else, she would have tried to understand it.

“If it was said by another person I would have tried to treat it with understanding. To understand why he says so, to analyze the reasons, lexicon, the nervous movements. But as far as it is being spoken about Nikol Pashinyan I was remembering all those cases that happened with his car, in his editor’s office,” she said, adding that yesterday Nikol Pashinyan was speaking about himself, about the activity of his own media.

“During all these years the media headed by him worked in such way. He was very clearly describing him and his working style,” she said, adding that his only hope was that his colleagues would have morality and would not remind him the numerous cases.

“But he forgets one thing, very often he tried to pick information from previous authorities through blackmailing. Everything that Nikol Pashinyan says does not correspond to reality and describes himself. Such lexicon is not proper to country’s PM. He did not stop being a certain type of article writer serving interests of a concrete segment,” Seyranyan said.

Earlier Media Advocate and head of Freedom of Speech Protection Committee urged the PM to avoid making such statements about mass media.

Armenian FM discusses COVID19 pandemic with Cypriot counterpart

Maral Takmazian

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 09:34,

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS. On April 15, at the initiative of the Armenian side, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a phone conversation with Nikos Christodoulides, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress.

The counterparts exchanged views on the steps undertaken within the framework of fight against the COVID19 pandemic. On behalf of the Armenian government, minister Mnatsakanyan expressed his solidarity and support to the brotherly people of Cyprus in the fight against the pandemic.

Particularly emphasizing the role of international cooperation and strengthening mutual assistance in addressing global challenges, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Cyprus underscored the importance of the Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral platform.

FM: Over 63,000 Armenia citizens have returned from abroad

Maral Takmazian
News.am, Armenia

23:46, 10.04.2020
                  

The return of our citizens to Armenia is one of our functions that is extremely essential, important and is a great obligation and duty. The coronavirus pandemic completely changed the logic of our ordinary lives, and all countries and regions were affected. This is what Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said during an interview aired on Armenian Public Television.

“The most important thing has been and still is to disallow the spread of the pandemic in Armenia and provide all the necessary resources and the opportunities to resist this pandemic.  The government’s actions have been aimed at ensuring a necessary environment and the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic, minimizing pressure of the pandemic on our normal lives and creating an environment for Armenians to get back on track and for the Armenian government to get the economy back on track after this is over. In this sense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has its share of the job, that is, by working with other government agencies and coordinating the activities through the Commandant’s Office. As far as resources are concerned, my counterparts played a huge role in helping provide all the drugs, equipment and accessories. One of the recent examples was the plane that carried necessary accessories that Armenia had purchased in China. Armenia is currently preparing for the second flight,” Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said.

According to the foreign minister, international cooperation is extremely essential, especially now, and Armenia really praises the cooperation that it has established with several countries.

The foreign minister also considers the issue of citizens of Armenia abroad an extremely important issue. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is still in contact with citizens of Armenia abroad and those who are registered at Armenia’s embassies. In this period, based on our data, 63,322 citizens have returned to Armenia starting from March 1, and 1,870 citizens of Armenia are registered in 47 countries. In the initial period, we addressed our citizens and asked them to stop traveling and return to Armenia. Most citizens responded, and this is why there are over 63,000 citizens who have returned to Armenia. I praise, respect and thank all citizens who unite around the Armenian embassies and consulates and make a contribution.

Over the past week, 440 Armenians of Russia returned to Armenia via two flights. We are trying to address each issue and case individually and systemically. Their return to Armenia is ensured whenever there is an opportunity. Upon their return to Armenia, we make sure the healthcare and security systems are safe and comprehensive, and in this sense, the 14-day quarantine requirement arises from this goal. Armenian students from Israel should have crossed the border of Armenia by now, and 34 young Armenian students of the United States are on their way to Armenia. The latter is a great example of cooperation with our colleagues in the United States and Georgia. They will reach Tbilisi and then head towards Armenia. I’m certain that they will arrive in Armenia tomorrow morning,” Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said.

Russia sends mobile laboratory for COVID-19 testing to Armenia

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
April 7 2020


In line with an agreement reached between the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia, David Tonoyan and Sergey Shoygu, a team of specialists of Russian Armed Forces has arrived in Armenia to support the organization of anti-epidemic measures, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense Shushan Sepanyan informs.

The team is equipped with a mobile laboratory for COVID-19 infection testing and disinfection system. The systems will allow to test the staff of the Armenian Armed Forces and the Russian military base #102 in Gyumri.

The examination in target groups will greatly contribute to the organization of preventive measures and will considerably raise the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures.

Armenian President discusses COVID-19 pandemic with UNCTAD’s Director of Investment and Enterprise

Maral Takmazian

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 14:34, 3 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Within the frames of consultations with international partners on issues relating to fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian this time had a video talk with James Zhan, Director of Investment and Enterprise at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

President Sarkissian highlighted the role of UNCTAD on assessing the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on global economic processes and highly valued the structure’s analysis on the impact of the pandemic on the global economy.

The Armenian President remembered their meeting in August 2019 when he proposed the structure to conduct the analysis in the report on Armenia’s investment policy in the context of global challenges and opportunities. Mr. Sarkissian said today his proposal is more than relevant as the COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps the main challenge facing the global economy.

Sarkissian also said it would be very important and valuable for Armenia if the structure updates the report on the country, also including the impact of the pandemic on the economy, its possible consequences and proposals for overcoming them.

James Zhan agreed with the Armenian President in terms of expanding the international cooperation for overcoming the economic consequences of the novel coronavirus. He asked President Sarkissian, as also Chair of the UNCTAD Panel of Eminent Persons, to organize consultations with the members of the group to exchange experience and information on the matter.

Mr. Zhan expressed readiness to update the report about Armenia as soon as possible. An agreement was reached that consultations with the Armenian President will continue also in the next weeks.

Back in October 2018 President Armen Sarkissian met with UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi in Geneva during which they agreed that the structure will prepare a report about Armenia’s investment policy. The report was prepared and submitted for the Armenian government’s discussion in September 2019.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body. UNCTAD is the part of the United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. 

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Soldier dies of gunshot wound in Artsakh

Maral Takmazian
Public Radio of Armenia
April 3 2020


Private of the Artsakh Defense Army Garegin Babakekhyan (born in 2000) died of gunshot wounds at the defense posts of a military unit located in the southeastern direction, Artsakh’s Defense Ministry reports.

The circumstances of the incident are yet to be clarified. Investigation into the details is under way.

The Defense Ministry said t shares the sorrow of the heavy loss and offers condolences to the soldiers family and friends.

Armenian President signs into law location data bill for contact tracing of coronavirus cases

Maral Takmazian

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 09:44, 1 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian has signed into law the bill on authorizing authorities to use mobile location data for contact tracing of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“The temporary restrictions of individual fundamental liberties and rights of people stipulated in the Constitutional is unavoidable during emergencies. It stems from public interest, as well as the necessity of preserving human life and health – the highest human right of anyone,” Sarkissian’s office said.

“This difficult situation requires unity, and support to the authorities”, it added.

“The President has signed into law the bill adopted by parliament on amending the law on The Legal Regime of the State of Emergency and the law on Electronic Communication. Although the laws envisage significant restrictions of human rights, the president has signed them taking into account that these restrictions will be applied by the government only as exclusive measures and exclusively during state of emergency. Therefore, the main precondition and the only goal of using these laws must be saving lives and preserving public health,” the statement said, adding that the authorities must apply the laws with “utmost responsibility”.

The bill was initially turned down in parliament on March 31, but hours later the parliament held another session and approved it.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




EU: Elections ‘cannot prejudice’ determination of Karabakh’s future status

Maral Takmazian
Panorama, Armenia

The presidential and parliamentary elections in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) “cannot prejudice” the determination of its future status, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said in a statement on Tuesday.

"In view of the so-called 'presidential and parliamentary elections' in Nagorno-Karabakh on , the European Union reiterates that it does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework within which they are being held. This event cannot prejudice the determination of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh or the outcome of the ongoing negotiation process.

"The EU recalls its firm support to the OSCE Minsk Group and, in particular, to its Co-Chairs’ efforts to bring about progress beyond the status quo and substantive negotiations towards comprehensive and sustainable peace. The EU stands ready to further support efforts, aimed at early, peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," reads the statement.

Number of asylum seekers from Armenia drastically drops following the revolution

Maral Takmazian

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 19:41,

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS. By the decision of State Secretary for Migration at the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands Armenia is placed in the list of ‘’safe country of origin’’, ARMENPRESS reports the Embassy of Armenia in the Netherlands informs.

‘’State Secretary for Migration at the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands Ankie Broekers-Knol informed in her letter addressed to the House of Representatives on March 27 that the changes in Armenia following March 2018 have fostered the establishment of rule of law in the country, the number of asylum seekers from Armenia has drastically dropped and a number of other indexes place Armenia in the list of ‘’safe country of origin’’, reads the statement of te Embassy of Armenia in the Netherlands.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan