ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Friday Armenian President: NSS should work as a good clock mechanism - 24 hours 7 days a week Yerevan December 22 Marianna Mkrtchyan. The National Security Service of Armenia should work as a good clock mechanism - 24 hours 7 days a week. This was stated by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the solemn meeting dedicated to the Day of the National Security Officer. The president stated that in the rooms of the staff of the structure the light burns until late in the evening. And, in this context, he added that he is perfectly aware of everything, since he is focusing on issues related to the national security of the country. "I am sure that the NSS staff fulfill their obligations with high responsibility and professionalism. Our course, our steps to confront the existing challenges were consonant with positive results, but we should not be satisfied with the achievements in the sphere of National Security .It is obvious that internal and external challenges are not are reduced, but on the contrary they become more multifaceted and sometimes even disguised, "the Armenian leader said, and in this context stressed that the current international and regional military-political leader The situation remains tense. According to him, Armenia is involved in this large-scale and consolidated process, both from the point of view of ensuring its own security and ensuring guarantees of cooperation with other states with partners. At the same time, the Armenian President stated that due to timely operational intelligence activities, the employees of the Organs managed to prevent both terrorist threats and closely related criminal manifestations. He also added that international experts, in the coming years, do not predict a decline in terrorist threats. "From this point of view, Armenia has always been considered a relatively safe country, but we can not exclude that in connection with our geopolitical situation, specific external environment and increasing tourist flow, there will be forces that will try to encroach upon Armenia's security. The fight against this evil in parallel with vigilance is necessary to work closely with our allies and other interested services. Our country will be open and tourism is one of the key directions for the development of our economy Moreover, the process of liberalizing the visa regime with a number of countries will be of a long duration, therefore, you should always stay awake, I believe that you must triple your efforts in the anti- terrorist sphere and periodically improve methods and means of combating terrorism, "he said. Sargsyan. At the same time, he stressed that one of the priority issues on the agenda of the upcoming legislative body will be a review of the current strategy to combat terrorism - with a view to modernizing it, harmonizing with current needs and giving it flexibility. At the same time, the Armenian leader stressed that the experience of combating one of the types of terrorism - cyber terrorism - showed that the threats coming from this sphere also do not become less, moreover, they show that it is necessary to take the problems of cyber security more seriously, taking into account the importance , which is acquired in the ordinary life of information and telecommunications technology. According to him, this sphere is one of the leading in the Armenian economy, where there is a serious potential and prospects. "We have to protect both the physical and digital infrastructures of our country from criminal forces, only in 2017 you stopped 1.5 million attempts to hack and attack information structures and official websites of government agencies. And we certainly are not talking about microproblems. We are going to look for simple solutions, restricting freedom of speech or the right to disseminate information. In Armenia there will be no Internet censorship. I am convinced that the society in Armenia is so mature that it can solve these microproblems through self. National security structures must act within international law and international best practice ", - he said, and in this context the added importance of international cooperation on this issue. The Armenian leader also stressed the importance of providing the information and communication infrastructure at the micro level. According to him, the state databases and networks should be protected in the best way, the interest to which from external criminal forces is inevitable. Sargsyan believes that such encroachment can be both from the countries-opponents and organized terrorist groups, and from the part of individuals, so to speak, "partisans". At the same time, the Armenian leader stressed that one of the priorities of the National Security Service of Armenia continues to be the increase of intelligence and counterintelligence activities. According to him, it is necessary to work both inside the country, and maybe abroad. "Summing up the results in this area allows us to talk about success with some satisfaction, while the existing military-political situation, the intelligence activity of the main enemy and the constantly developing communication technologies force us to be constantly vigilant." Threats that have a qualitatively new essence require balanced measures of counteraction, "the Armenian leader said. He highly appreciated the work done to protect the state borders, and stated that thanks to the vigilance of the border guards in this area, positive results are fixed year after year. At the same time, Sargsyan stated that in recent years the number of attempts of illegal crossing of the state border by foreigners has been increasing. "The increase in migration due to regional and global processes makes it possible to predict that for the transition from one country to another, different individuals and organizations will seek new directions for illegal migration. This will also cause unhealthy interest in our state with the Ministry of Defense and the Police, to eliminate possible omissions that could facilitate illegal border crossing, "he said. In Sargsyan's opinion, it is necessary to take into account that in this matter the slightest omission can be used by the enemy to carry out sabotage and reconnaissance penetration.
Category: 2017
Ashotyan: Foreign policy priorities of Armenia in 2018 should be development of relations with the Islamic world
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Friday Ashotyan: Foreign policy priorities of Armenia in 2018 should be development of relations with the Islamic world Yerevan December 22 Mariana Mkrtchyan. Among the foreign policy priorities of Armenia in 2018 should be the development of relations with the Islamic world. On December 22, in Yerevan, summing up the results of the year, stated the head of the parliamentary commission on foreign affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia Armen Ashotyan. According to him, against the backdrop of Moscow-Yerevan relations, Brussels-Yerevan, a very important challenge is escaping attention, namely, the situation in the Middle East, which is at the side of Armenia. "It seems to me that in 2018 we should pay serious attention to the three directions in foreign policy, namely, deepening and expanding relations with the Islamic world, increasing the recognition of Armenia, which is very important in light of the dangerous efforts that Azerbaijan is making to set up countries in the region against Armenia As you know, this year the President of Armenia visited India, an important country for us and a serious player in the Asian region. In this regard, we need deepening and capitalization of relations with the Asian world, "said Ashotyan. And in this context, he added that the third direction is the Armenian-American relations. According to him, new realities are opening with the arrival of the new US president, and Armenia should be vigilant for the development of relations with the states.
Ashotyan: From the point of view of promotion of foreign policy interests, 2017 was successful for Armenia
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Friday Ashotyan: From the point of view of promotion of foreign policy interests, 2017 was successful for Armenia Yerevan December 22 Mariana Mkrtchyan. From the standpoint of promoting foreign policy interests, the year 2017 was successful for Armenia. On December 22, in Yerevan, summing up the results of the year, stated the head of the parliamentary commission on foreign affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia Armen Ashotyan. In his opinion, in 2017 Armenia significantly strengthened its positions in the sphere of security. "Moreover, after the signing of the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement, Armenia-EU relations have entered a new stage, I believe that relations with the EU will be synchronized with the internal political agenda of Armenia next year." I believe that 2018 is not unique or imposed from the EU. will be the year of the parade of ratification of documents by the European Union member states, "Ashotyan said. And in this context, he added that the agreement contains transitional items, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which states that the conflict should be resolved exclusively within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and through peaceful negotiations, taking into account the right of peoples to self-determination. According to him, these important principles and the ratification by the parliaments of the European countries of this document will support these principles. In this context, the Armenian parliamentarian touched upon the situation in the Karabakh conflict zone and stressed that the first half of the year was not as favorable as the second one in terms of provocations, private violations of the ceasefire regime, incidents, and a periodic increase in the degree of tension. At the same time, he stressed that he had little optimism about maintaining stability in the conflict zone. "After the Geneva meeting, the situation in the conflict zone has stabilized more or less, but this is not due to the fact that there are mechanisms of trust in the conflict zone, which is due to the goodwill of the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan, but there are no guarantees that tomorrow this situation will not change.In this regard, I believe it is important to introduce mechanisms of trust on the contact line and increase the mandate of the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office," Ashotyan said. At the same time, another achievement of 2017, the Armenian parliamentarian called the strengthening of relations with China, with neighboring Iran, the achievement of progress in relations with Israel. Speaking about the Armenian-Turkish relations, Ashotyan recalled that in 2018 the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in 2009 in Zurich will be removed from the agenda. He added that it is no secret to anyone whose fault these protocols remained on paper. "Today Ankara is trying to save its own face, however these attempts are vain," he said. In general, he noted that the year 2017 was successful in terms of parliamentary diplomacy, and Armenia in the international arena defended both its own interests and promoted the interests of Artsakh.
During independence years our media landscape passed through revolutionary transformations – President Sargsyan receives media representatives
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday During independence years our media landscape passed through revolutionary transformations – President Sargsyan receives media representatives YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the New Year and Christmas Christmas holidays, a gala reception was held at the Presidential Palace for media representatives on December 22. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian President’s Office, Serzh Sargsyan congratulated on the upcoming holidays and addressed warm wishes to the media representatives, their families, colleagues and relatives. In his congratulatory speech President Sargsyan referred to the key political, economic and cultural events of the passing year and their covering by the mass media. The President of the Republic also talked about the role of the “4th power” under the light of the parliamentary republic with an improved Constitution, presented his expectations from mass media during the illustration of a number of upcoming key events of republican importance. The speech of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan during the reception for mass media representatives on the occasion of New Year and Christmas Dear friends, I am glad to greet all of you at Baghramyan 26 at this festive reception that has already become a tradition. I heartily congratulate you on the coming New Year and Christmas holidays. During independence years our media landscape passed through revolutionary transformations. During the last 2.5 decades we were able to shape a dynamic society, public institutions and a unique free journalism. I have no doubts that on the path of establishing a mature and full democratic system an independent and unbending journalist should be the all-seeing eye of our public. The passing year was full of important domestic and external political, economic and cultural events, that were in you focus. You covered them from all the aspects and reached the necessary information to the attention of the public, political parties and the authorities. The key republican event of 2017 was the parliamentary elections of April 2. Now, with a retrospective look, we can confidently document that the elections were held in a constructive and harmonious atmosphere. Both our public and the specialized international observer organizations gave a positive assessment to the elections, by which we outlined our political path for the next 5 years in a fair struggle. The contribution of the media landscape of Armenia was also significant for achieving that result. It was recognized by the international observer organizations and I am thankful to you for your job. Of course, there were also difficulties and misunderstandings. There is no electoral process in the world that passes entirely imperturbably, as during the competition passions sometimes give place, strain the nerves. Undoubtedly, defeat is the most difficult thing and not everyone can live with that. Dear journalists, I am deeply convinced that there are no insurmountable problems. I highlight the readiness of all the sides and players to openly discuss existing problems and to find a solution to them. It’s a unique examination of being mature, and I am sure our public passes that exam with honor. I am convinced that your power in the parliamentary republic with the improved Constitution will have a much larger role in our lives and you are ready to assume that. During the passing year you actively covered the works of the Armenia-Diaspora Sixth Pan-Armenian Forum, making the virtual participation of 10 million Armenians in that forum possible. Discussing the role and importance of the mass media one should always remember that 7 million Armenians live out of the borders of Armenia. I call on you to activate your links with the news outlets operating in the Diaspora communities during the coming years. We expect more active involvement by you in the implementation of my vision of having Armenia with 4 million population and other future programs. I would also like you to draw more attention on and give deeper evaluation to topics like Armenia’s participation in integration processes, the works of local self-government bodies, community enlargement process or the economic activation. This is not the full list and I will really be happy if you enrich it with topics I missed. Dear friends, We say good bye to 2017 year. I once again congratulate you, all your colleagues, relatives and friends. I want you to fully relax during the New Year and Christmas holidays, making your friends and relatives enjoy those moments. I want success, happiness and peace to accompany you and your families in the coming 2018 year. The more we are honest with ourselves, believe me, the higher will be the coefficientof theuseful actionof our work. I am thankful”.
Senior Armenian lawmaker highlights Middle Eastern developments from perspective of security of Armenia and Artsakh
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Senior Armenian lawmaker highlights Middle Eastern developments from perspective of security of Armenia and Artsakh YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of Armenia Armen Ashotyan highlights Middle Eastern developments, since that region is located near Armenia. In an interview with reporters on December 22 Ashotyan emphasized that the developments in that region are important from the perspective of the security of Armenia and Artsakh and regional stability. “Next year this will become an important direction of parliamentary diplomacy”, ARMENPRESS reports the MP saying. He noted that in Armenia people often speak about the relations of Yerevan with Moscow or Brussels, but often forget about the Middle East. According to Ashotyan, Armenia should activate relations with the Islamic world. “When I say Islamic world, I mean both the Arabic countries and Iran, as well as the major Muslim countries that have very little information about Armenia”, Ashotyan clarified. He reminded that Baku leads a very dangerous policy for Armenia, trying to generate hostile attitude between Armenia and the Islamic world. Azerbaijan is not yet able to achieve any success, but these challenges exist and Armenia just has to activate and expand interactions and relations with Islamic countries and peoples.
Attempts to undermine foundations of statehood in Armenia are doomed to failure – President Sargsyan
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Attempts to undermine foundations of statehood in Armenia are doomed to failure – President Sargsyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The function of ensuring a Constitutional order is especially important in the activity of the National Security Service. The firmness of the Constitutional order is the main precondition guaranteeing the country’s independence, the protection of state and people. Any action to target this value is a real threat to the national security, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech dedicated to the National Security Officer’s Day, reports Armenpress. “Those who seek adventurism should understand very well that the attempts to undermine the foundations of statehood in Armenia are doomed to failure. No issue will be solved in Armenia by violence and force. The monopoly on the legal use of force belongs to the Republic of Armenia. All necessary institutions and mechanisms have been created by the Constitution and law in order to discuss and solve some issues, disputes, complaints and disagreements”, the President said. He said it is without doubt that the national security service and the other law enforcement agencies are able to prevent or neutralize any such encroachment. “I think last year in July your consistent works and balanced approaches are the best proofs of my words. Those who in the future will try to reach their personal or group interests by unlawful behavior, I advise them to refrain from adventurism. Our law enforcement agencies are ready to counter any action undermining the Constitutional order within their jurisdiction and by respective measures”, Serzh Sargsyan said. He stated that some try to make extreme the ratio of security and freedom turning them into a subject of an absolute dilemma. “Such contrast is fake and unacceptable for me. Security and freedom are inter-related, rather than contradictory phenomena. I am convinced that ensuring security at the expense of freedom or ensuring freedom at the expense of security are equally harmful. For years all our steps were directed to strengthening public peace and solidarity. We will also work in this way in the future”, the President said.
Armenia by its own experience proved the combination of different integration processes – Head of Armenian Mission to EU
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Armenia by its own experience proved the combination of different integration processes – Head of Armenian Mission to EU YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. By signing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union, Armenia showed by its own experience that it is possible to combine different integration processes benefiting from and to everyone which unites rather than divides, Armenia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Head of the Armenian Mission to the European Union Tatul Margaryan said in an exclusive interview to ARMENPRESS. He talked about the Armenia-EU cooperation and prospects of further developing the relations, as well as the CEPA provisions relating to economic cooperation and other spheres. -Mr. Ambassador, 2017 comes to its end which was distinguished by high-level visits and meetings in Armenia-EU ties. The last three years are assessed as especially active in terms of the Armenia-EU partnership. -The development of relations with the EU is among Armenia’s foreign policy priority directions and in this sense the high-level mutual visits, the continuous political dialogue between the sides at different levels allow to thoroughly speak about the issues of bilateral agenda, as well as international and regional developments. At the same time, Armenia made efforts to further intensify the partnership with the EU structures, member states, the concrete forms and directions aimed at further deepening the relations have been outlined on the sidelines of the CEPA preparation process and expansion of sectoral cooperation with the EU. In this regard the frequency of mutual visits and different events was really impressive. In July 2015 the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and in March 2016 the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini visited Armenia. In February 2017 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited Brussels on a working visit. The President’s visits and participation in the EPP summits are being held on a regular basis. The Armenian foreign minister also regularly meets with the EU high-ranking officials both at the bilateral and multilateral formats within the frames of the Eastern Partnership. Moreover, numerous high-level events and forums at the Eastern Partnership format were held in Armenia, as well as expert-level meetings. And of course, the most important was the Armenian President’s participation in the Eastern Partnership’s 5th Summit in Brussels on November 24 where the signing ceremony of the Armenia-EU new agreement was held. -Mr. Ambassador, what are the concrete practical achievements in the Armenia-EU relations? What are the expectations from the agreement regarding the future development, how will it affect the further development of Armenia-EU ties? -First of all I want to state that Armenia is one of the EU’s partners which completely implemented all its commitments assumed at the Riga Summit in 2015. Previously, Armenia jointed the COSME and Horizon 2020 programs, initialed the agreement on Common Aviation Area, completed the talks on joining the Creative Europe program. Moreover, the Armenia-EU partnership agenda has expanded covering the road infrastructures. The EU is the largest donor of Armenia. Among the priorities of our bilateral agenda is the promotion of movement. Over the past three years Armenia and EU actively implement the agreement on visa facilitation and readmission, and the launch of the dialogue on visa liberalization should become the next logical step. This is also stated in the declaration of the Brussels summit. The EU remains a key trading partner for Armenia. Since 2009 Armenia uses the EU’s GSP+ privileged regime according to which 6.400 types of Armenian products are imported to the markets of the EU states at zero or reduced customs rates. In response to your question I want to state that those who had a chance to get familiarized with the text of the new agreement I think will agree that the CEPA is an ambitious and comprehensive document. The agreement strengthens the comprehensive political and economic partnership and cooperation between Armenia and the EU based on common values, and puts a beginning for the Armenia-EU more effective bilateral partnership, reflects Armenia’s determination to continue the reforms by strengthening the democratic institutions. By the agreement the sides reaffirm their commitments to the principles of free market economy, sustainable development, regional and effective multilateral cooperation. At the same time it is obvious that in line with being an important achievement, the signing of the CEPA is not an end in itself, rather it aims at improving the living standards of our citizens and supposes a targeted work of the sides in order to record tangible results. Full interview is available in Armenian.
Turkey needs to save its own face: Armenia’s Ashotyan on Zurich Protocols
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Turkey needs to save its own face: Armenia's Ashotyan on Zurich Protocols YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armen Ashotyan - chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, vice-president of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, says the Armenian-Turkish relations remain in a completely political, diplomatic and economic deadlock, reports Armenpress. During the meeting with reporters on December 22, Armen Ashotyan said the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, which were signed by the initiative of the Armenian side, will no longer be a part of the political agenda starting from spring of 2018. “The activeness through which the Turkish side tries to justify the failure of the Protocols, shows that Turkey needs to save its own face. All efforts to save its own face are doomed to failure since everyone knows which side failed the Armenian-Turkish normalization process”, Armen Ashotyan said, adding that the Turkish side obviously links the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations with the Artsakh conflict. “Let’s once again record a historical reality that Azerbaijan is just another Turkey in the region, for Armenia and the Armenian people”, he said.
Two of Erdogan’s supporters plead guilty for attack on peaceful protesters in Washington D.C.
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Two of Erdogan's supporters plead guilty for attack on peaceful protesters in Washington D.C. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The two arrested Turks, supporters of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who attacked peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C., pleaded guilty, Voice of America reports. The two Turkish-American men, Sinan Narin, 45 of McLean, Virginia, and Eyup Yildirim, 50, of Manchester, New Jerseypleaded guiltyto the charges of assault. The prosecutor demanded one year and one day imprisonment for them. They are two of 19 people federal prosecutors have accused of criminal conduct after Erdogan’s May 16 visit to the White House. The demonstration, which began at Lafayette Square at noon, was organized by a coalition of organizations, including the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the American Hellenic Council. Several different groups, which included representatives from the Armenian, Greek, Kurdish, and Assyrian communities, participated in the protest, while President Erdogan met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Historical witnesses: 40-century-old cup of Armenia’s Karashamb village
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Friday Historical witnesses: 40-century-old cup of Armenia's Karashamb village YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. 35% of the national collection consisting of 400.000 items in the History Museum of Armenia are archaeological items excavated in Armenia. Among them are wooden carriages of the Bronze Age, ritual hearths excavated from the tribal leaders’ mausoleums, bronze sculptures, weapons, jewelry, tableware, cups and belts made of multi-layered scenes that testify the beliefs of ancestors, cosmic perceptions, beliefs symbolizing the idea of sun, water an fertility. ARMENPRESS launches a new project where the exclusive findings kept in the History Museum and their histories will be presented. Let’s start the list from 10 the most interesting cups, and then will go to the history of swords. The 40-century-old cup of Karashamb which depicts a whole myth More than 40-century-old cup has a unique place in the archeological collection of the History Museum of Armenia which was found in 1987 by archeologist Vahan Hovhannisyan during the excavations in Karashamb village. Julieta Karapetyan, senior researcher at the archaeological department of the History Museum of Armenia, told Armenpress that the silver cup has been discovered in the “royal” tomb together with other numerous valuable items. It is a unique example of the ancient Eastern iconography and has a unique significance in understanding the spiritual and material culture of the Bronze Age Armenia. “The presence of the cup proves that the region has been a serious production and cultural center”, she said, adding that the cup of Karashamb is the most ancient monument. Julieta Karapetyan said that the Karashamb cup is also a unique sample of applied art. The craftsman managed to present the myth on the cup with all details and with exceptional skills. Images of 25 people, 36 animals and more than 60 different subjects are depicted on the cup. The cup of Karashamb has been displayed in different museums of the world, in particular, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York, the History Museum of Russia and etc.