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DW: Germany has largest trade in South Caucasus with Armenia

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In the first half of 2018, Germany’s trade relations with Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan are developing with dynamism, and Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit these three countries, from Thursday to Saturday, reported Deutsche Welle (DW).

Germany’s trade with these three South Caucasus republics grew by 17.1 percent and reached €1.2 billion, the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations announced on Wednesday.

And from these three countries, Germany’s trade has increased the most with Armenia—by 41 percent, and reached up to €171 million.

“The political changes, which took place in [Armenia’s capital city of] Yerevan in Spring 2018, seem to contribute to the dynamic development of the [country’s] economy,” the aforesaid committee also noted, in particular.

 

Police detect 68 crimes in Armenia in one day

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The Armenian Police have detected a total of 68 crime cases in the country over the past one day, according to the latest operations reports.

In particular, from 16 to 17 August, police officers revealed 19 cases of swindling, 13 cases of infliction of bodily injuries, 8 cases of theft of personal property, 5 cases of squandering or embezzlement, 5 cases of detection of narcotics, 3 cases of corruption, 3 cases of abuse of official powers, 2 cases of tax evasion and 2 cases of drug sales.

In the mentioned period, the police also detected 1 case of robbery, 1 case of theft of state or public property, 1 cases of extortion, 1 case of intentional destruction of property, 1 case of hooliganism, 1 case of violence against a government representative, 1 case of Illegal sowing or cultivation of plants containing narcotics and 1 case of official forgery.

One missing person was found over the past one day, which also saw police officers solving 2 robbery cases and 1 case of inflicting injuries.

Over the past day, a total of 11 road traffic accidents were recorded in the country, which left one person dead and 19 others injured.

Source Panorama.am

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Armenia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Armenia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive in Armenia on a state visit on August 24-25 and is set to visit the Genocide memorial in Yerevan, the Armenian government reveals.

Merkel will hold a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, after which the two will give a press conference.

The German Chancellor will also meet President Armen Sarkissian and pay a tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in Tsitsernakaberd.

Armenian 2nd president’s office on ruined media conference: It is nothing but brutal pressure on dissent

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YEREVAN. – A group of activists who are known as pro-government activists and the supporters of Nikol Pashinyan ruined the press conference of the second president Robert Kocharyan and staged “a cheap performance” for the cameras, says the statement issued by the second president’s office.

Kocahryan had to make key political statements and to give answers to numerous questions, the statement says.

“Today’s well –planned and organized incident can be described as disorderly conduct and we should not pay any special attention to it. It is clear that President Robert Kocharyan, in one way or another, will express his views on the most pressing political issues through a press conference or an interview. However, we consider it necessary to emphasize that the incident, in fact, is a forced and brutal attempt of the authorities to prevent free expression of thoughts on the part of political opponents and the possibility of communicating with the public through the mass media,” the statement reads.

The office of the second president calls today’s incident nothing but “a brutal pressure on dissent”.

“Today’s incident reconfirmed the fears that exist in the political and public environment that the new authorities do not allow dissent and are capable of carrying out political persecution against opponents. Especially this occurrs in relation to the people whose political weight and prospects provoke their serious concern,” the statement says.

 

Armenian Armed Forces respond to Azerbaijani provocations in direction of Nakhijevan by firing shot

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The Armenian Armed Forces responded to the Azerbaijani provocations in the direction of Nakhijevan by firing shot, Artsrun Hovhannisyan – spokesperson of Armenia’s defense ministry, said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“As a result, we do not rule out any losses in the Azerbaijani armed forces”, he said.

Martirosyan: Armenia ‘plunging into crisis’ after revolution – opinion

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Armenia is facing a political crisis after the “Velvet Revolution”, a political analyst said today, commenting upon the power transition processes that followed Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation as the country’s prime minister.

Hayk Martirosyan called particularly for active steps towards finalizing the timeframes of snap parliamentary elections, considering the winter or spring of 2019 as the most reasonable period.

“The logic behind this revolution implied the National Assembly’s immediate dissolution in Republican Square [the protest site]. The Constitution too, should have been suspended right there. After all, Nikol Pashinyan [who was leading the protests] sought and gained his preliminary legitimacy resource in that square which, at the time, represented the entire Armenian nation, an unlimited power capable of doing practically anything.

That’s the classical example of a revolution,” he said.

Martirosyan described the current political situation as a kind of democratic bacchanalia, noting that members of the former ruling Republican Party “still continue their anti-political activity as before”. “They have given liberties to [political] forces which are deeply anti-democratic and deeply anti-revolutionary,” the analyst added.

He further stressed the urgent need of undertaking of tougher measures, considering the constitution “extremely unrealistic”. “There is now a specific process which I personally support. I have the right to have my disagreements but I support our current government’s work. I do not have specific obligations either as I am not a member of a political team to be part of this government,” he added.

Armenian Embassy in Russia launches hotline over accumulations in Upper Lars checkpoint

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Armenia’s Consul General in Rostov-on-Don Vardan Asoyan has departed for Upper Lars border checkpoint to get acquainted with the situation, the Armenian Embassy in Russia said on Facebook, reports Armenpress.

“We also inform that the Embassy has set a hotline + 7 (495) 628 55 56 in connection with the situation in the Upper Lars checkpoint. You can also send information about the situation to the following e-mail: info@armem.ru”, the Embassy said in a statement.

Since August 5 the Armenian trucks are stuck in traffic jam at the Lars border checkpoint. Most of the trucks transport perishable fruits-vegetables. The businessmen and drivers urge the respective authorities to quickly solve the problem as their losses double every hour.  

 

Russian deputy defense minister denies media reports on suspending arms supply to Armenia

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Alexander Fomin

Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin denies the Russian media reports according to which Russia may suspend delivering arms to Armenia under the loan agreement worth 100 million USD, reports Armenpress.

“That information is not true”, the Russian deputy defense minister told reporters in Armenia’s Monte Melkonyan Military-Sports College.

Asked how he assesses the situation over CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov, Alexander Fomin said Armenia conducts justice.

CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov has been charged over the 2008 March 1-2 unrest in Yerevan. He has been remanded into custody, but later was released on bail. After several Russian statements following these events, the Russian media reported that Moscow may suspend the arms supply to Armenia by the 100 million USD loan agreement.

Armenia tycoon MP’s corporation pays close to $11mn additional tax liability

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YEREVAN. – An inspection to check mutual relations with the state budget was commissioned at the company belonging to the family of National Assembly MP, businessman Samvel Aleksanyan, and within the framework of a criminal case which the National Security Service of Armenia is investigating.

The inspection was conducted jointly with the State Revenue Committee, the latter informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

As a result, this corporation was required to disburse a 5.2bn dram (approx. $10,807,400) tax liability, as additional payment for the budget.

And as of Wednesday, this additional tax liability of this company has been paid in full.

 

Italy president arrives in Armenia

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YEREVAN. – The plane of President of Italy Sergio Mattarella  has landed in Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport. He was welcomed by Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan

At the invitation of President Armen Sarkissian, Sergio Mattarella is paying a two-day state visit, and together with his daughter, Laura Mattarella.

The official welcoming ceremony for the Italian president will be held at the Armenian presidential residence; this will be followed by the two presidents’ tête-à-tête and, subsequently, an extended meeting of delegations of the two countries. Afterwards, Presidents Sarkissian and Mattarella will make a statement for the press.

Within the framework of his state visit, the Italian president will meet with Armenia’s top leadership, and he will be hosted by the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Also, the Mattarella-led Italian delegation will visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial.

In addition, the presidents of Armenia and Italy will attend the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Italian Cultural Heritage Preservation Center.