Author: Vatche Chakhmakhchian

Presidents of Armenia, Israel discuss anti-coronavirus measures

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
Public Radio of Armenia

President Armen Sarkissian had a telephone conversation with the President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin.

The Presidents exchanged information on the current state of the new coronavirus spread in their countries, the steps taken to prevent and overcome the infection.

Given that Israel has the world’s best medicine and healthcare system based on advanced, state-of-the-art scientific innovation, President Sarkissian noted that Israel’s support in the form of professional consulting, as well as equipment and supplies would be a significant assistance to Armenia in overcoming the infection.

According to the agreement reached between Armen Sarkissian and Reuven Rivlin, for the purpose of more subjective and professional discussion of the issue, the health authorities of the two parties will have a telephone conversation today or tomorrow. If necessary, specialists will hold an extended discussion to assess the needs.

During the conversation, the interlocutors referred to President Sarkissian’s visit to the State of Israel to attend the 5th Holocaust International Conference.

During meetings with the President of Israel and the Knesset Speaker, Armen Sarkissian raised the issue of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian President also delivered lectures at two of Israel’s top universities.

Travel: Start dreaming of and planning a trip to Armenia and Georgia – The Daily Mail

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
Public Radio of Armenia
 
 
Start dreaming of and planning a trip to Armenia and Georgia – The Daily Mail
 
Britons have been advised against all non-essential travel overseas for a period of 30 days, meaning it’s time to give up thinking about travelling abroad at all for a while.
 
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t time to plan the perfect trip you’ve always dreamed of, T.D. Isacke writes in an article for The Daily Mail.
 
“These days of self-isolation and social distancing could turn out to be ideal for masterminding a big adventure. So why not put your feet up, start dreaming — and planning too,” the author writes
 
First, the article recommends planning a trip to Georgia and Armenia.  
 
“Georgia is hidden away in the high mountains of the Caucasus with remote villages, monasteries, ancient churches and the lively capital of Tbilisi. The tour continues to Yerevan, Armenia’s intriguing capital, moving onwards into rugged countryside with medieval castles before stopping at Gori, the birthplace of Joseph Stalin,” the author notes.
 
Other options worth thinking about include a trip from Peru’s capital Lima to La Paz, a journey around Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, wildlife cruise along the northern coastlines of Norwegian island Spitsbergen, self-isolation on the Fanjove Private Island off the coast of Tanzania, a trip around the Dodecanese beginning in Bodrum and ending in Marmaris, a four-night stay in Jamaica, hiking in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains and a visit to Victoria Falls.

Coronavirus to Have Short-Lived Drastic Impact on Armenian Economy: Minister

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
US News
March 19 2020

YEREVAN (Reuters) – The spread of the coronavirus will have a short-lived, drastic impact on Armenia's economy, Economy Minister Tigran Khachatryan said on Thursday.

The former Soviet republic has reported 122 confirmed cases of coronavirus, without any deaths so far.

"It will have a short, drastic impact. We've already seen consequences in different spheres of economy, but I'm sure we will become stronger…," Khachatryan told a briefing.

He could not specify how much gross domestic product might fall this year.

He said Armenian authorities were in talks with international financial institutions about adjusting ongoing aid programs to account for the economic hit from coronavirus.

The country of around 3 million people still depends heavily on aid and investment from former imperial power Russia, whose economic downturn has in recent years hit Armenian exports as well as remittances from Armenians working in Russia.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday that the government would provide $305 million to companies and entrepreneurs in the near future to help them mitigate the economic blow from coronavirus.

Armenia projects economic growth of 4.9% in 2020 after 7.9% recorded in 2019, the highest growth in the South Caucasus region, supported by expansion in the mining, manufacturing and services sectors.

Armenia has been largely reliant on mining and agriculture since the break-up of the Soviet Union, but sectors including tourism, information technology, services and light manufacturing of products such as textiles also help growth.

(Reporting by Nvard Hovhannisyan; Writing by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Copyright 2020 Thomson Reuters.

Armenians can now apply for Dutch Schengen visa in Yerevan

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 13 2020

Armenians wishing to apply for a Schengen visa to the Netherlands no longer need to travel to Georgia only to file an application, as the Netherlands has outsourced Schengen visa processing to the Lithuanian authorities in Armenia, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Due to the absence of a Dutch Embassy or Consulate in Armenia, travellers from Armenia in need of a visa currently have to travel to Georgia for application. However, in a bid to facilitate the procedures for Armenians, the Netherlands has outsourced the process to Lithuania, which is represented by the VFS Global in terms of visa application.

Starting from April 1, 2020, Lithuania will be representing the Netherlands for the visa application process, VFS announces.

Yet, until March 31 2020, the applications shall be submitted in Tbilisi, Georgia, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

“From April 1, 2020, onwards, Lithuania will represent the Netherlands for the Schengen visa application process. If you wish to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands on or after that date, go to VFS Armenia (Lithuania),” the Visa Facilitation Services Global announces through a statement.

As per Armenian citizens who want to stay in the Netherlands for periods longer than 90 days, they must apply for a residence permit. Therefore they need to apply for a long-stay visa in Tbilisi, Georgia.

President of Artsakh holds working consultation in Hadrut town

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
 

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 15:58,

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 10, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan convened today a working consultation with the participation of responsible officials of the regional administration and community heads in the Hadrut regional center, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

Issues related to the social and economic development of the region were on the discussion agenda.

Minister of State Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the consultation.

Armenians quarantined in 5-star hotel will have access to Internet

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
PanArmenian, Armenia
March 2 2020
March 2, 2020 – 11:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The water heating system at a five star hotel where 32 Armenians are kept in quarantine has been renovated, according to Health Minister Arsen Torosyan.

Three dozen people were isolated in the hotel in the town of Tsaghkadzor after a man was confirmed to have contracted coronavirus after arriving in the country from Iran.

Those in quarantine will also have access to the Internet, Torosyan revealed.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had earlier said that all of them will be provided with everything they need, including food.

Armenia reported its first case of coronavirus on Sunday, March 1 morning, in a citizen returning from Iran. The 29-year-old man went to a doctor because he was not feeling well, just days after arriving in the country on February 28.

Authorities have thus isolated those who had been in close contact with the man, including his wife.

Tourists canceling reservations in hotel suites in Armenia’s Tsaghkadzor

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
News.am, Armenia
March 2 2020
Tourists canceling reservations in hotel suites in Armenia's Tsaghkadzor Tourists canceling reservations in hotel suites in Armenia's Tsaghkadzor

22:10, 02.03.2020

After people in the coronavirus risk group were transported to Golden Palace Hotel in Tsaghkadzor, many people who had booked hotel suites canceled their reservations at hotels in the city.

Khachatur Movsisyan, a manager of one of the local hotels, informed that locals had canceled reservations for 5-6 suites.

“Before coronavirus was confirmed in Armenia, there were mainly foreigners who had canceled their reservations, but when Armenia confirmed the first case of coronavirus, the locals also canceled their reservations,” he said.

The representatives of a large hotel said everyone has gone, and the hotel’s manager, Narine Beglaryan said some people have canceled their reservations for the coming days.

The administration of the ropeway in Tsaghkadzor reported that there are fewer tourists today, which is unprecedented in this time of the year.


Azerbaijani press: Russian authorities restrict entry for Karabakh separatists to Russia

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT3 March 2020 14:17 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 3

Trend:

Russian authorities decided to restrict entry for Karabakh separatists Masis Mayilyan and Samvel Babayan to Russia for five years, Trend reports on March 3 referring to the Armenian media.

“This information was disseminated in the evening of March 2,” the message said. “This information was not officially confirmed or refuted for the media outlets due to the late time.”

“The decision is based on political and, perhaps, legal grounds,” the report said.

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.

Newspaper: Who paid how much in Armenia ruling power’s fundraiser?

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 29 2020

09:30, 29.02.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: The press writes about the donors during the February 25 fundraiser [for the YES campaign in the forthcoming referendum on constitutional amendments], whereas the ruling party continues to keep their [respective] list secret. It was written that [tycoon and ex-MP] Samvel Aleksanyan transferred $20,000.

[Ex-President] Serzh Sargsyan's brother's close friend Gabriel Jemberji, elite buildings’ constructor Armen Mkoyan, Sargis Tadevosyan, the in-law of [former ruling] RPA ex-MP Nahapet Gevorgyan (…), were also present and provided money.

The Moscow-based very rich man from is a fellow villager of Garik Sargsyan, the Governor of Ararat Province; he participated [in this fundraiser] at his invitation. At the time there were rumors that Sargsyan became the village mayor with his support. We were told that he donated about $10,000 [to the fundraiser].

Armenian Defense Minister, CSTO Secretary General discuss regional, international security

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

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 11:30,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan held a meeting with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas on February 27.

Zas, the new head of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, is currently on a visit to Armenia.

Tonoyan congratulated Zas on his appointment as Secretary General.

“During the meeting issues of international and regional security were discussed, as well as the process of further developing the military component of the CSTO,” the defense ministry said in a news release.

The sides also discussed the development of the CSTO Crisis Response System, the increase of the potential of the CSTO Rapid Response Collective Forces and Peacekeeping Forces, the perfection of the system of representatives of the organization’s militaries, the joint combat readiness exercises, as well as issues related to the implementation of joint events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory.

 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan