Armenian President dismisses Defense Minister, appoints new oneNovember 20, 2020 - 15:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian dismissed Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and appointed Vagharshak Harutyunyan in the post on Friday, November 20. Tonoyan became the country's Defense Minister in May 2018, after the "velvet revolution" that saw the appointment of opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as Armenia's new Prime Minister. Tonoyan served as the Minister of Emergency Situations between February 2017 and May 2018, and the First Deputy Minister of Defense between 2010-2017. Harutyunyan, who is now leaving his post as the Chief Adviser to the Armenian Prime Minister, served as the country's Defense Minister in 1999-2000. Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev have signed a statement to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Karabakh (Artsakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan has said he has agreed to the deal signed by Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |