Author: Varazdat Torgomian

 09:47, 20 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Conference marking the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Ukraine was held in Kiev on December 17, organized by the Armenian Embassy, the Armenian community and the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.

The conference touched upon the history of the bilateral relations, the ways that will contribute to improving the relations between Armenia and Ukraine.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Ukraine Vladimir Karapetyan addressed the conference participants, highlighting the fact that the Ukrainian foreign ministry also participated in the organization of the event. He said that the foreign ministries of Armenia and Ukraine make efforts for the bilateral ties to be as warm as the relations between the two nations are. However, he noted that the diplomats still have a lot to do in order to make the relations between the two countries in accordance with the expectations of the Armenian and Ukrainian citizens.

Other events are also expected to take place on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of Armenia-Ukraine diplomatic ties.

 15:27,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani armed forces, who infiltrated into Armenia’s sovereign territory, must be withdrawn, Chairman of the Armenian parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Eduard Aghajanyan said.

Asked whether the Azerbaijani troops must be withdrawn from the territory of the Lake Sev in case of demarcation and delimitation, the lawmaker said at this moment it’s too early to discuss the concrete positioning of troops as a result of border demarcation and delimitation process.

“Armenia has repeatedly announced at an official level that the Azerbaijani armed forces infiltrated into the Armenian sovereign territory: these statements are based on concrete facts. Those armed forces and persons must be withdrawn from the sovereign territory of Armenia, that is unequivocal”, he said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia strongly committed to global efforts to prevent genocide – Armenian Deputy FM

 19:41, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahe Grigoryan delivered remarks at virtual discussion “The Role of Education in Combatting Genocide Denial”, noting that Armenia, as a member of the international community, is strongly committed to global efforts to prevent genocide. Collective efforts for effective learning and education on genocide and mass atrocities could be a key component to the prevention of such acts. 

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Deputy FM Grigoryan particularly said,

“Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome you at the virtual discussion organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect in observance of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. 

Established upon Armenia’s initiative in 2015, the International Day of 9 December has since served as an inclusive platform that brings together governments, international organizations, academic community and civil society to deliberate methods of delivering on the pledge “Never again”.

Armenia, as a nation which has survived the Genocide, has been an advocate for the fight against this crime on the international arena for many years and has been consistently outlining the importance of strengthening capacities at national, regional and international levels to detect and act on the warning signs, which may lead to massive crimes. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Among the tools for genocide prevention, education is the single most powerful instrument, relevant as ever, in particular, against the backdrop of a disturbing surge in tendencies of disinformation, incendiary rhetoric and hate speech.

On December 9-11, 2018, Armenia hosted the 3rd Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide”, dedicated to prevention of genocide through education, culture and museums. One of the most important goals of this forum were to study the issues of genocide prevention through education and science, to raise awareness on the challenges of genocide education and to discuss steps to be undertaken and effective methods to address those challenges.

The importance of teaching out past genocides was also underlined in the resolution on the Prevention of Genocide presented by Armenia and unanimously adopted by the Human Rights Council in June 2020. The resolution emphasizes the necessity to preserve evidence and archival material related to past genocides, reflects the developments related to this issue in the modern world and is in line with the priorities set by the UN. Thus, referring to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the document emphasizes that its fourth goal should be achieved through teaching about the genocides committed in the past.

Ladies and gentlemen,

One of the main reasons that leads to genocide, as well as other crimes against humanity, is impunity. Inappropriate condemnation of past crimes and avoiding of punishment create fertile ground for denial and justification of genocide and eventually at recurrences of mass atrocities.

Armenian people has a long-standing record of confronting what represents the final stage of a genocidal process – denial of genocide, manifesting itself in many ways, primarily, through narratives that conceal historical evidence and the scale of the genocidal effort, embark on legalistic manipulations, blame the victims, trivialize their sufferings, defend and even glorify the perpetrators, and, in doing so, strive to create a space which will intimidate and silence the survivors across generations. 

The denialists stop at nothing, robbing the victims of their dignity and depriving them of their rightful place in the historical memory. Such a purposeful assault on truth, indeed, represents the ultimate manifestation of genocide – a double killing, as Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel explained – because if victims of genocide are allowed to be forgotten, “the dead will be killed a second time.” 

Undoubtedly, supporters of the genocide prevention agenda should heed the lessons of the Armenian case to fight impunity and counter denial. For over a century, it has fallen to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, their descendants, and the international community of human rights advocates to keep the memory of the genocide alive, by pursuing the recognition of the truth and its proper representation in the educational and cultural fields. 

History and current practices show that countries that have brought the policy of denial to the level of state ideology will never be able to build a genuine democracy, because they will not be able to ensure freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, protection of minorities and other fundamental rights. Thus, the recognition of a genocide crime, indeed by these countries themselves, is a basis for the further development of democracy and the promotion and strengthening of human rights.

Distinguished colleagues, 

Genocide and other mass atrocities are usually pre-planned, and are carried out by targeting the civilian population, destroying cultural and religious heritage, and spreading extreme hatred. All these actions were carried out against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh during the military aggression unleashed on September 27, 2020, which was planned and implemented by Azerbaijan with the full political and military support of Turkey and the involvement of foreign mercenaries and terrorist fighters. Thus, with new victims of mass atrocities, the Armenian people were once again exposed to existential threat.

Yet as their ancestors they are destined to counter and overcome this threat with a stronger determination to safeguard their identity and serve humanity for the betterment of mankind. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a member of the international community, Armenia strongly committed to global efforts to prevent genocide. Collective efforts for effective learning and education on genocide and mass atrocities could be a key component to the prevention of such acts. 

Thank You”.

 17:53, 3 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan presented details on expected salary increase of science workers from January 1, 2022.

ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page that laboratory assistant's salary will increase from 67 thousand to 102 thousand drams, an increase of 52%.

The salary of a senior laboratory assistant will increase from 76 thousand to 110 thousand drams, an increase of 44%.

The salary of a junior researcher will increase from 85,800 to 120,000 drams, an increase of 40%.

The salary of a senior researcher will increase from 99 thousand to 200 thousand drams, an increase of 102%.

The salary of a leading researcher will increase from 114,300 to 250,000 drams, an increase of 118%.

The salary of the chief researcher will increase from 138,100 to 367,100 drams, an increase of 165%.

The salary of the head of the scientific group will increase from 129,100 to 230,000 drams, an increase of 78%.

The salary of the head of the scientific department will increase from 141,400 to 350,000 drams, an increase of 147%.

 11:58, 2 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Governor of Gegharkunik province Karen Sargsyan and Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin held a meeting on December 1, discussing the socio-economic development of the region, the Governor’s Office reports.

The activity of Russian companies in the province, the upcoming working visit of the Governor to Russia’s Omsk oblast, the situation and prospects of the inter-regional cooperation and the current border situation of the province were discussed during the meeting.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:45, 1 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The initiation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) marked the beginning of a new, cornerstone stage of bilateral cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, the Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan said in his opening remarks at the public awareness event of the Strengthening The Capacity Of The National Assembly Of Armenia To Further Support CEPA Oversight And Implementation Twinning Project.

The event was attended by foreign ambassadors and lawmakers, among others.

Rubinyan noted that the entry into force of the agreement in the stage of difficult challenges related to the 2020 war and the COVID-19 pandemic was a positive signal and a significant support to Armenia, including from a psychological perspective. He emphasized the importance of CEPA for Armenia’s modernization, particularly through approximating the legislative framework with EU norms.

“This agreement ensures another circle for the European Union and Armenia to continue joint work for the benefit of the citizens of Armenia,” Rubinyan said, adding that the goals of the government and parliament in Armenia after the 2018 revolution fully match with the outlined obligations.

Vice Speaker Rubinyan noted that the parliament is more than ever inclined to implement its mission of parliamentary oversight for the effective implementation of the obligations and the national roadmap.

“Together with the assistance provided to Armenia in July 2021 within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Project, the full implementation of the agreement will provide tangible benefits to Armenian citizens and will have significant importance for social-economic restoration and long-term stability of the country. The effective implementation of the obligations assumed under CEPA and a broader reforms agenda will significantly facilitate post-crisis restoration and strengthening of constitutional order and democratic values. The role reserved to the National Assembly has a primary significance in overseeing the progress of implementation of the obligations assumed under the CEPA implementation roadmap,” the Vice Speaker said, thanking for the massive work that has been done within the framework of the Twinning project.

In turn, the EU’s Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin said, in part: “We started this project in a very difficult period of time for Armenia, but I’d like to specially emphasize before members of the National Assembly of Armenia, that this country was able to hold for the second time free, transparent and trustworthy elections, which now allow to continue partnership around the implementation of the CEPA.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan