Author: News Author

The Armenian Parliament on Wednesday passed the law “On the beginning of the process of membership of the Republic of Armenia in the European Union” in the second and final reading. Sixty-four MPs voted in favor, 7 against. Deputies from the opposition Armenia Alliance, whose leader is former President Robert Kocharyan, did not participate in the vote.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan noted that the adoption of the law is not a bid for EU membership, but reflects the desire of Armenian citizens “to take the partnership with the European Union to a new level.”

The bill adopted on March 26 was proposed by the extra-parliamentary “Platform of Democratic Forces”, which in the fall of 2024 collected and submitted to the Central Election Commission of Armenia more than 60 thousand signatures in support of the referendum on European integration. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also emphasizes that Armenia’s application for EU membership, according to the Constitution, should be approved in a referendum after consultations with the EU leadership on the roadmap.

Earlier during the report a map was shown, on which all the countries of the region, except Armenia, were depicted.

French TV channel Arte France apologized for publishing a map of the region without Armenia in its program “28 Minutes”. This was reported by journalist Krikor Amirzanyan. “The host of the program Elizabeth Keane apologized for what happened, noting that there was a collective mistake and the authors of the program regret what happened. She thanked the viewers for their indulgence, noting that there was no malicious intent.”

Recall that the “28 Minutes” report referred to anti-government protests in Turkey. And the map showed all the countries of the region, except Armenia. The situation caused a stir in social networks, and both users, public organizations and media reacted to it.

The Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF) noted that 110 years after the Armenian Genocide, Arte France is implementing the pan-Turkist dream and simply erasing Armenia from the world map. Hayastan magazine, published in France, wrote that it expects an apology from Arte.

From the 18th minute of the 30th second of the report, Yerevan is presented as Turkish against the backdrop of an Iranian mosque.

CNN Turk News Editor Idris Arikan, who visited Yerevan a few days ago at the invitation of the Armenian side and met with the Armenian Prime Minister, in his report “Blockaded country – what is being talked about in Armenia?” presents Armenia in an extremely negative light and spreads blatant misinformation unworthy of a journalist.

In the 26-minute report he presented Armenia in black colors. The report gives the impression that Armenia is in a very difficult economic situation, far from any prospects of development, and the only salvation is the opening of the border with Turkey.

At the same time, Idris Arikan says in the report against the background of the Iranian mosque in the capital of Armenia that Yerevan is one of the cities of the Turkish Empire, and presents the Iranian mosque as a Turkish mosque as proof.

Armenian Airlines announced about temporary suspension of flights from April 7. This is reported by the press service of the airline. The decision is related to the inventory and acquisition of new airliners.

It is noted that the airline will spend this time for the renewal of the airplane fleet and acquisition of new airliners.

At the same time “Armenian Airlines” will refund to all passengers the entire amount for the tickets purchased starting from April 6.

Let us recall that in mid-October 2024, the carrier’s press service said that the airline suspends flights until November 22. Then this period was extended until December 9. It was specified that flights will be operated to Moscow, Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Ufa, Kazan, Volgograd, Delhi, Batumi.

Armenian Interior Ministry reported 45 aftershocks after the earthquake near Spitak city.

More than 40 aftershocks were recorded in Armenia on Saturday after the earthquake near the city of Spitak, there were no casualties, Interior Ministry spokesman Narek Sarkisyan said.

Earlier, the ministry’s rescue service said that on March 8 at 9.26 local time, the seismological network of Armenia’s territorial seismic protection service recorded a magnitude 4.6 earthquake six kilometers northeast of the city of Spitak.

“As of now, 45 aftershocks have been recorded, the strongest of which with a magnitude of 3.2 – nine kilometers north of Spitak. Aftershock activity will continue for some time. We urge to remain calm,” Sarkisian wrote on Facebook.

An earthquake occurred near the border of Georgia and Armenia in the morning of March 8.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Center, the magnitude was 5.1. The epicenter was 45 km from the border, near the city of Spitak in Lori region of Armenia. The tremors were recorded at 9:26 local time, they were also felt in the Georgian capital. The hypocenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Armenia Rescue Service reports that the magnitude of the earthquake at the epicenter was 6-7 MSK. Besides Lori, it was felt at most in Shirak and Tavush regions, and in Kotayk, Gegharkunik and Aragatsotn regions – with magnitude 2-4. No data on damage has been reported so far.

Margara checkpoint on the Armenian-Turkish border may open as early as March 1.

“The opening of the checkpoint is planned for March 1. It is also planned that the security of the checkpoint will be carried out by the forces of the National Security Service of Armenia,” the report says.

At the same time, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said that there are no developments in the issue of opening the border, and if there are any news, they will be reported additionally.

In August 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan inspected the checkpoint and said that the checkpoint is fully modernized and ready for opening.

The border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed since 1993 at Ankara’s initiative to protest the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. In recent years, relations between the countries have improved somewhat, for example, direct air service has been launched since February 2022.

Armenian Airlines will launch an air service between Yerevan and Delhi (India) from February 21. Passengers will be transported by Airbus 321 aircrafts with a frequency of twice a week: on Tuesdays and Fridays. Travel time is about five hours. This is the first direct air communication between Armenia and India.

Tickets are already on sale, their price starts from 180 dollars one way on airline website or Trip.com.

Armenian airline Shirak Avia will launch a direct flight between Yerevan and Krasnoyarsk in Russia from May 10. The flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800 with a frequency of once a week – on Saturdays. Tickets are already on sale and cost from 250 euros one way with luggage. Currently there is no direct air service between Krasnoyarsk and Yerevan.

TASS reports that the Armenian government has approved a draft decision to start the process of the country’s accession to the European Union.

The Armenian parliament is now scheduled to discuss the draft law at the end of January. According to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia’s final intention to join the EU should be approved through a popular referendum. “Before the referendum, we should take certain actions: discuss the roadmap with the European Union,” Pashinyan said.

The EU accession project was presented by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. According to the government’s rationale, the approval “will make the expectations of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia to become a full member of the European Union more realistic, as well as create a more working environment for further discussion.”