Massis Post

ANKARA — Official Ankara, reacting to the Israeli government’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide, accused Israel’s leadership of “ignoring historical and legal realities and attempting to cover up its actions against Palestinians.” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 28, which said in part: “The Israeli government, which is carrying out systematic atrocities against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the whole world and is accused before the International...

MOSCOW — “It is an unacceptable situation for EAEU member states when Armenia enshrines in its legislation its intention to join the European Union while continuing to enjoy all the benefits and advantages of membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.” This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, who added that Moscow does not understand why Armenia’s leadership is not rushing to hold a referendum on membership in these blocs.

YEREVAN — Central Electoral Commission Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan asked the Constitutional Court to reject all applications contesting the results of the National Assembly elections. Hovakimyan described the decision summarizing the election results as lawful. He emphasized that the decision had been adopted in compliance with the Electoral Code and therefore asked the court to reject the appeals.

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Carey Phillips, president of the AMAA charitable public organization. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the construction of an educational complex in the enlarged Vardenis community through cooperation between the Government of Armenia and AMAA. The prime minister emphasized the importance of implementing the project, an agreement on which had been reached several months ago.

JERUSALEM — The Israeli government unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal on Sunday to recognize the Armenian Genocide, a move expected to further strain already tense relations with Turkey. “It is never too late to do the right thing,” Sa’ar said at the Cabinet meeting. The resolution states that Israel, “on the basis of moral and historical duty,” recognizes the genocide committed against the Armenian people during the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

YEREVAN — The official launch ceremony for the construction of the Kajaran Tunnel was held with the participation of Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, and other guests.

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, vice president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prime minister welcomed the Iranian vice president’s visit to Armenia. Pashinyan emphasized the importance of strengthening peace and stability in the region and expressed confidence that it would contribute to the consistent development of relations and cooperation throughout the region.

MOSCOW — A decision on suspending Armenia’s membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization or removing the country from the organization is made by the Collective Security Council — meaning the presidents of the member states — Russia’s permanent representative to the CSTO, Viktor Vasilyev, told RIA Novosti.

YEREVAN — At a meeting of the Civil Contract Party’s board on June 25, Ruben Rubinyan was chosen as the party’s candidate for speaker of the National Assembly following a closed secret ballot. Speaking with reporters, Rubinyan said the decision was political. “I assume that most of my colleagues considered that, at this stage, it would be right for me to hold this position, and this is a natural process. Politically, the decision has been made,” Rubinyan said.

YEREVAN — The Constitutional Court has begun examining the applications filed by seven political forces challenging the results of the National Assembly elections. Seven of the Constitutional Court’s nine judges are participating in the hearing, including Seda Safaryan. Earlier, the Armenia Alliance had submitted a motion to the high court requesting that Judge Seda Safaryan’s participation in the proceedings be deemed impossible on the grounds of bias.