Author: Sonya Jalatian

Armenian minister: No need to cancel flights to and from Yerevan and Milan and close border with Georgia

Sonya Jalatian
News.am, Armenia
March 1 2020

14:20, 01.03.2020

At this moment, there is no need to cancel the flights to and from Yerevan and Milan. This is what Minister of Healthcare of Armenia Arsen Torosyan said during a press conference devoted to the first case of coronavirus in Armenia.

“Our colleagues from the healthcare and diplomatic sectors of Italy have provided us with information and shown that the cases are localized. Based on the information, there is no need to cancel flights now. However, decisions can change every day, and not only in regard to Italy or another country, but also in Armenia. In any case, Armenia attaches importance to public health, and all actions will derive from this, but every decision needs to be presented with facts and evidence,” the minister stated.

According to the minister, there is no need to close the border with Georgia at all. “The three cases in Georgia are local (two people brought the disease from Iran through Azerbaijan and another brought it from Milan, they all feel well, and there are still no cases of spread of the virus). When the virus spreads across almost all countries, there is no longer a need to close any border,” he said.

Newspaper: Suicides in Armenia increase in past 3 years

Sonya Jalatian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 29 2020

09:51, 29.02.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The number of suicides has increased in Armenia in the last three years.

According to the RA Statistical Committee, the number of the unemployed is high among the people who commit suicide in our republic. According to some experts, people end their lives because of poor social conditions, fears, and religious ideology.

However, psychologist Samvel Khudoyan, speaking to Zhoghovurd daily, referring to the statistical data of suicides, noted: “I think that post-revolutionary shocks are the reason; that period was devastating for many. After all, they had just begun to make a career, and all of a sudden it all collapsed, everything changed at once. Aside from the financial problems’ emerging, life changed because a very large number of people were left out of the game after the revolution."


Aleksandr Iskandaryan: After the change of elites in the executive and legislative branches, it`s now the turn of the judicial branch

Sonya Jalatian
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 18 2020

ArmInfo. The change of elites in such a state as Armenia always takes place according to a "soft" scenario. This was announced on February 18 at a press conference by  the head of the Caucasus Institute, political scientist Alexander  Iskandaryan.

He noted that the change of elites in the country began in April  2018. "It also took place in the judicial field, which, in fact, fits  perfectly into the logic of any revolution. Thus, what is happening  in the country is not a surprise, it was predictable. First, the  executive branch changed, then the legislative and the turn of the  courts came, "the expert emphasized.

Iskandaryan emphasized that a process is now taking place when the  government, through various methods, is trying to change the  composition of the judiciary, including through transitional justice,  and then a referendum. "But such a" soft "scenario is not possible  everywhere, I mean countries with harsh regimes, such as Azerbaijan  or North Korea," the political scientist said.

It should be noted that on February 6, the parliament adopted a  referendum decision at which Armenian citizens will decide whether  they agree to amend the Constitution of the country. On April 5, a  constitutional referendum will be held in Armenia, at which the issue  of judges of the Constitutional Court will be decided. Many deputies  and human rights activists said that this decision is  unconstitutional, since initially the deputies had to send their  proposal to the Constitutional Court. After that, two campaign  headquarters were formed, which campaign to vote "for" these  Constitutional amendments and "against" them. According to the  decision adopted on February 11 at the CEC meeting, the campaign will  be held from February 17 to April 3.

Consul General Keynotes West L.A. Chamber of Commerce Event

Sonya Jalatian

LOS ANGELES—Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian was a keynote speaker at a West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce event on February 5. The event was dedicated to expanding Armenia-Los Angeles commercial relations and tapping into the Chamber’s potential for advancing those ties.

Ambassador Baibourtian first described the strategic location of Armenia at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. He presented opportunities for investing in Armenia, as well as relevant sectors of its economy. The Consul General also outlined in detail the benefits of trading with Armenia, listing a wide range of Armenian products. He also spoke about Armenia as an attractive tourist destination.

The Consul General addressed another dimension of cooperation with Los Angeles – the advantage of having a large Armenian community in the Greater Los Angeles area. An agreement was reached to organize another event focusing on presentation of Armenian wines in the Southern California market.

The West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1945. Since 1993, it has expanded its operations to include several other agencies, making it the largest in the field by size and influence in one of the richest areas of Los Angeles. The West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce has now a membership of more than 2150 business organizations from Western Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The organization is expanding now its operation to meet the needs of large communities of Los Angeles also having Armenia among others in its plans.

Music: 11th Armenian Composition Art Festival kicks off in Yerevan

Sonya Jalatian
Pubic Radio of Armenia
Feb 10 2020

The 11th Armenian Composition Art Festival kicked off in Yerevan with the joint concert of the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia and the National Academic Choir of Armenia.

The festival is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of composer Alexander Arutiunian.  The opening concert  featured the composer’s vocal-symphonic poem A Legend about the Armenian People  (soloists: Berj Karazian – tenor, Hovsep Nshanyan – baritone and Samvel Topalyan – reciting) and Cantata about the Motherland.

 The concert was conducted by Hovhannes Chekijyan.

The next concerts will feature works of various genres from Alexander Arutiunian ‘s rich heritage. The festival will also feature works by contemporary Armenian composers.

The State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia is the organizer of the Armenian Composition Art Festival. It is held with the support of the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. The artistic director of the festival is conductor Sergey Smbatyan.


President refers two bills to Constitutional Court to determine constitutionality

Sonya Jalatian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 6 2020

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian refused to sign two bills into law and asked the Constitutional Court to pass judgment on them. As the President’s press service reported, the President refused to sign the bill “On making amendments and Supplements to the RA Code of Criminal Procedure and “Supplements to the Law on Bank Secrecy” citing “apparent legal-constitutional problems” emanating from them.

The bills in question were adopted by the National Assembly on January 22.

According to the source, the president has submitted the bills to the Court along with legal justifications to determine their constitutionality.

1st Armenian Ambassador to Iceland delivers credentials to President Jóhannesson

Sonya Jalatian

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 19:48, 5 February, 2020

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS.  Newly appointed Ambassador of Armenia to Iceland Alexander Arzumanyan (residence in Stockholm) delivered credentials to President of Iceland Guðni. Jóhannesson on February 4.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, after delivering the credentials, Ambassador Arzumanyan had a private conversation with President Jóhannesson.

The President of Iceland welcomed the decision of the Government of Armenia to accredit its 1st Ambassador in Iceland. At the request of the President the Ambassador presented the process of democratic reforms in Armenia, the recent developments over the peaceful settlement process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as Armenia-EU cooperation prospects.

The sides also discussed a broad scope of issues referring to the deepening of Armenia-Iceland bilateral relations.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Vietnam’s PM highlights development of trade and economic relations with Armenia

Sonya Jalatian

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 21:14, 4 February, 2020

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyễn Xuan Phuc met on February 3 with Ambassador of Armenia to Vietnam Vahram Kazhoyan.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, greeting the Ambassador, Prime Minister Phuc noted that there is a positive atmosphere of mutual understanding between the two countries and particularly emphasized the importance of the development of cooperation in the spheres of trade, economy and investments.

Thanking the Prime Minister of Vietnam for the reception, Ambassador Kazhoyan congratulated him on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Communist Party of Vietnam and assumption of the chairmanship over the UNSC and the ASEAN by Vietnam.

During the meeting Ambassador Kazhoyan referred to the priorities of the Armenian-Vietnamese cooperation. He added that the Armenian companies show great interest to participate in “Vietnam Expo” 2020, which can be a good platform for the export of Armenian products not only to Vietnam, but also ASEAN countries.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Iranian passenger bus operating Yerevan-Tehran route crashes near Mianeh

Sonya Jalatian

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 15:46, 29 January, 2020

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. An Iranian passenger bus traveling from Tehran to Yerevan has crashed, the Armenian Embassy in Iran told ARMENPRESS.

According to the embassy, the incident took place at 06:00 Tehran time on January 29 when the bus operated by the Iran Payam-E Nur company crashed on the Tabriz-Zanjan road near the city of Mianeh.

Some of the passengers suffered injuries and were taken to hospitals in Mianeh and Tabriz.

“According to preliminary information there were no Armenian citizens on board the bus. According to information provided by the abovementioned company, there were 10 foreign nationals on the bus. There was one Iranian-Armenian among the Iranian citizen passengers, whose life is out of danger,” the embassy said.

The bus was operating the Tehran-Yerevan-Tehran route.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Azerbaijani press: Political analyst: Armenian PM’s actions at odds with efforts to resolve Karabakh conflict

Sonya Jalatian
31 January 2020 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 31

By Elchin Mehdiyev – Trend:

While the negotiations between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan were held in Geneva, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the occupied Azerbaijani territories, Azerbaijani political analyst Shabnam Hasanova told Trend.

“Of course, this step not only overshadows the negotiation process, but it is also at odds with efforts which are made to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a whole,” the political analyst said.

“These Pashinyan’s actions are nothing more than an attempt to divert attention in a different direction through various maneuvers,” Hasanova said. “Pashinyan has always resorted to this trick. His authority among the Armenian citizens is undermined, and he is trying to attract attention by any means, including populist statements and maneuvers."

"On the eve of the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Bratislava in December 2019, Pashinyan used a similar method. This is evidenced by his visit to Nagorno Karabakh and a meeting with separatists, as well as by the statement of the press secretary of the "leader" of so-called "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" David Babayan about the impossibility of a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities," the political analyst said.

Shabnam Hasanova emphasized that the format of negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is unchanged, Azerbaijan and Armenia are the only parties to the negotiations, and Pashinyan's dream of setting Karabakh separatists at the negotiating table is doomed to collapse, like his other aspirations and maneuvers.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met in Geneva on Jan. 29. On the eve of the meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Nagorno Karabakh, where he met with separatist leader Bako Sahakyan and took part in presenting service quarters to Armenian soldiers.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.