Author: Toneyan Mark

 10:31,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. More than 35 tonnes of humanitarian aid was collected in France and Switzerland by the Aznavour Foundation and its various partners to be sent to Armenia. Part of this aid will leave on November 27 in a plane chartered by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs within the framework of the humanitarian support announced by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron.

“Armenia always held a special place in Charles Aznavour’s heart. He has become a symbol for earthquake survivors in Gyumri and stood next to Armenian people in the happiest as well as in the saddest days till the very end of his life. Nowadays, his legacy and vision continue through the Aznavour Foundation and we stand with Armenians in these difficult times. With the help of our friends and partners we were able to collect 35 tons of humanitarian aid that will be transferred to Armenia with the support of Emmanuel Macron and the French Government”, – said Nicolas Aznavour, Co-founder and Chairman of the of directors of the Aznavour Foundation.

Kristina Aznavour, the CEO of the Aznavour Foundation, will arrive from France and personally take part in the distribution process together with the Foundation’s team in Armenia. Numerous organizations all over France and Switzerland, as well as individuals of Armenian and non-Armenian decent participated in collecting this considerable amount of humanitarian aid.

Adhering to the vision of its co-founding father, philanthropist Charles Aznavour, the Aznavour Foundation continues to support Armenia.  During this difficult humanitarian situation in Artsakh and Armenia, the Foundation has mobilized all its resources and opportunities to provide targeted assistance to people and sectors in need.

“From the very first day of the war, the future “Aznavour Centre” was transformed into a joint aid distribution compound. Together with Viva Foundation we supported hospitals and doctors with necessary equipment and medical supplies.  As part of the assistance to healthcare, we have also purchased an ambulance with all necessary equipment and accessories.

At the same time we continue our cooperation with the Ministries of Health, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Emergency Situations and other governmental bodies in Armenia and Artsakh to be able to evaluate and respond to the most urgent needs.

We closely cooperate with Diaspora, supporting the collection of humanitarian aid abroad, as well coordinating its transportation to the Republic of Armenia.  In addition to the 35 tonnes that we will be shipping in November and early December, we have already sent several dozen tonnes of medical equipment from France and abroad to Armenia. During this period we have provided food and hygiene items to hundreds of families that have temporarily moved from Artsakh to Armenia. We have also provided our support to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund by transferring the donation at the very start of the war. In the days of the war, we made the decision to work quietly on security issues and to focus on providing aid. Nowadays we would like to thank all of our donors, friends and volunteers. Since accountability to our donors and beneficiaries is the key aspect of our work, we will now on share with you with our news and updates through the Aznavour Foundation's page on social networks”, the Foundation said in a statement.

 18:30,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. By the decree of the President of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Arayik Harutyunyan has been relieved of the post of Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, Vahram Dumanyan has been appointed to the post.

Vahram Dumanyan is the dean of Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics at the Yerevan State University.

15 French Mayors recognize NK's independence, urging Government and other countries to do the same

 20:06,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. 15 French Mayors issued a declaration, recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), urging the French Government and the international community to also recognize it.

''Azerbaijan re-ignited the Karabakh conflict on September 27, 2020, which had been frozen by an unstable ceasefire since 1994, launching an unprecedented large-scale offensive against the self-determined republic.

The Azerbaijani army which included mercenaries that had served in Syrian jihadist groups, resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), which was accompanied by serious violations of international conventions on armed conflict.

Both the capital Stepanakert and the border communities were bombed. Many civilians were killed and thousands of Artsakh's people were deported.

At midnight on November 10, after 44 days of bloody fighting, a ceasefire agreement signed under the auspices of the Russian authorities entered into force, fixing the positions of the conflicting parties.

Although the final provisions of this agreement are not at all satisfactory, they help at least save lives from both sides’', ARMENPRESS reports reads the statement issued by the 15 Mayors, adding that the loss of territories can lead to extremely unfavorable situation, particularly in terms of the preservation of hundreds of ancient churches and Cathedrals.

''In this regard, the fall of Shushi, Artsakh's second city, is fraught with the danger of depriving the people of Artsakh of their own historical memory, given all the unprecedented destruction that has taken place in the city, including the recently renovated Ghazanchetsots Church.

From now on, it is our duty not to hide behind cautious neutrality, which means approving the Azerbaijani aggression. We must reaffirm our full support for the friendly people, supporting the return of the Armenian people to their ancestral lands, reads the statement.

The statement notes that since the declaration of independence in 1991, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) has always guaranteed institutional stability for its own people on never disputed democratic grounds, territorial integrity and defense, as well as economic-cultural prosperity.

''Bringing together all the components of a state in line with the international law – territory, population, sovereignty, Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh) should be assesses as such – subject of law, endowed with sovereignty that legitimately embodies the people of Artsakh. The people united in the territory of the Artsakh state are radically connected with the land of their ancestors, with a common language, common history, inherited culture and religion. Given these crucial factors, the independence of Artsakh seems to us more than ever to be legally strong, legitimate and fair'', reads the statement, urging the Government of France and the international community to also recognize the independence of Artsakh as the only effective means to protect the people of Artsakh from ethnic cleansings that still threatens them.

The declaration has been signed by 

 Nicolas DARAGON, Mayor of Valence (Drôme)
 Laurence FAUTRA, Mayor of Décines (Rhône)
 Thierry KOVACS, Mayor of Vienne (Isère)
 Hervé REYNAUD, Mayor of Saint-Chamond (Loire)
 Philippe MARINI, Mayor of Compiègne (Oise)
 Richard MALLIE, Mayor of Bouc-Bel-Air (Bouches-du-Rhône)
 Michel AMIEL, Mayor of Pennes Mirabeau (Bouches-du-Rhône)
 Jean-Jacques GUILLET, Mayor of Chaville (Hauts de Seine)
 Luc CARVOUNAS, Mayor of d’Alfortville (Hauts de Seine)
 Maud TALLET, Mayor of Champs sur Marne (Seine et Marne)
 Marie-Hélène THORAVAL, Mayor of Romans-Sur-Isère (Drôme)
 Marlène MOURIER, Mayor of Bourg-lès-Valence (Drôme)
 Nathalie NIESON, Mayor of Bourg-de-Péage (Drôme)
 Christian GAUTHIER, Mayor of Chatuzange-le-Goubet (Drôme)
 Sylvie GAUCHER, Mayor of Guilherand-Granges (Ardèche)

More than 500 refugees returned to Stepanakert on November 17

 09:37,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. 502 refugees have returned to Stepanakert City on November 17, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

The citizens of Artsakh were transported back to their home on board 24 buses escorted by Russian peacekeepers and military police. The convoy departed from Yerevan.

The safety of the returning refugees is supervised by the Inter-departmental Center of Humanitarian Response.

Since November 14, more than 1700 residents have returned to Stepanakert.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 22:25, 13 November, 2020

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan referred to the question why the sitting of the National Assembly did not take place when the opposition forces wanted to convene it and discuss the situation following the declaration on ending the war in Nagorno Karabakh. ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said in an interview with Public TV that he does not think that issue should be discussed in the most emotional background.

To the remark that it can be discussed in a sober way, PM Pashinyan said, ''For a sober discussion it's necessary to first sober up and then discuss it''.

To the question if it cannot be discussed in this atmosphere, the PM answered, ''Not in this atmosphere, but in this emotional situation I don't think it's possible’'.

''It's possible to discuss with the National Assembly or opposition something when you want it to happen or you plan it to happen. But in this given case the processes developed very quickly for objective and subjective reasons'', Pashinyan said, adding that the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the political leadership of Artsakh stated that it's necessary to stop the war as soon as possible.

 14:53,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. While addressing the nation today Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on the rumors about handing over Meghri, calling it as absolute nonsense.

Touching upon the content of the document signed on stopping the war in Artsakh, the PM said there is a talk on unblocking the transport routes of the region.

“As for the content of the document, it’s truly bad for us, but we should not make it even worse than it is in reality. In particular, there are rumors about handing over Meghri, which is absolute nonsense. It’s just a matter of unblocking the transport routes of the region, including from Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan, but this means that the transport routes from Yerevan to Syunik [province] via Nakhijevan, including Armenia’s railway communication with the Islamic Republic of Iran should also be unblocked, which can be of great significance for the further development of our country’s economy”, he said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:53,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan held a meeting on November 11 with Lt. General Rustam Muradov, the Commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed to supervise the armistice in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, the defense ministry said in a news release.

Tonoyan thanked Lt. General Muradov for the rapid formation and deployment of the peacekeeping mission and expressed readiness to provide comprehensive support during the mission.

The implementation and organization of the peacekeeping unit’s mission were discussed.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 19:15, 9 November, 2020

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Clashes for Shushi continue, ARMENPRESS reports Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

The PM's post comes after public discussions that the Armenian forces have lost control of Shushi, Artsakh's cultural capital.

Artsakh's Defense Army resolutely defends Shushi – military

 22:31, 9 November, 2020

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Representative of the Defense Army of Artsakh Suren Sarumyan emphasizes that during the last 3-4 days the Azerbaijani side has focused on Shushi. According to him, during this period fierce clashes to place. The Defense Army units defended and continue to defend one of Artsakh's symbols, ancient citadel Shushi and are resolutely ready to carry out their military task with honor, ARMENPRESS reports Sarumyan said in a press conference.

''During the day the adversary continued attacks against Shsuhi. The attacking units have been detected, targeted, inflicting heavy losses on them. I want to note that in that section 2 Azerbaijani servicemen have been captured'', Sarumyan said.

According to him, military operations still continue in Shushi direction. Sarumyan said that military operations assume some confidentiality. ‘'For that reason sometimes it's unreasonable to even talk about territorial gains. Anyway, we have nothing to hide from our people, please trust official information and follow only official sources'', he said.  

Sarumyan assured that the army will be able to crush the adversary. ''The troops are in high combat mood. The soldiers spiritually strong and will protect their motherland to the end'', the Defense Army representative said.

He added that the Azerbaijani side carried out military operations also in other sections of the front line. ''Our troops have taken control of more favorable positions in some parts. During the day 1 tank, 4 vehicles and 8 UAVs have been destroyed by the Defense Army’', Sarumyan said, adding that in the south-western direction Artsakh's troops were able to capture 1 tank and artillery means.