NEWS.am breaking news in a video: 19.10.2018

DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH BAKU

The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line is unprecedentedly calm and this is a result of the Dushanbe agreement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters on Thursday.

He confirmed that a direct communication has been established with the Azerbaijani authorities.

“As we agreed with the Azerbaijani side, a reliable direct communication has been established,” he said.

COMMITTEE APPROVES AMENDMENTS

Armenian parliament’s standing committee on legal affairs has given positive conclusion on the package of bills, including draft amendments to the Electoral Code and the constitutional law on a referendum.

Acting Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan said the amendments to the Electoral Code stem from the demands that were formed during the events of April and May.

Armenia’s acting First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday informed the Venice Commission on the government’s plans regarding the announced early parliamentary elections and co-operation with the Commission.

PASHINYAN TO VISIT LEBANON

A delegation from Armenia, and led by acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, on Saturday will travel to Lebanon on a two-day working visit.

During his trip, Pashinyan will have meetings with the top leadership of Lebanon, as well as the Lebanese Armenian community and the Catholicos of the Armenian Church Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

He will also visit the Armenian spiritual and cultural centers and education institutions in capital city Beirut.

NEWBORNS FOUND IN GYUMRI

The Armenian police have identified a mother of newborn children found in the yard of orphanage in Gyumri, Shirak province, Armenia.

A 18-year-old mother is a resident of Ararat province. The motives of the crime are being clarified.

Two baby boys, presumably twins, were found in a plastic bag on October 17 in the courtyard of Fritjof Nansen orphanage in Gyumri.

ARMENIA PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS AMNESTY

The amnesty bill will be debated on in several days at the Armenian parliament’s standing committee on legal affairs, and then at the National Assembly session, acting Justice Minister said.

Artak Zeynalyan noted that the amnesty will be considerable and extensive.

“This is an amnesty being carried out on behalf of the whole government and the public; also, on my initiative. It has nothing to do with the pre-election period,” he said.

FORMER RULING PARTY DISCUSSES ELECTIONS

The former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) on Thursday convened an executive body meeting at the party headquarters. RPA Chairman and third President Serzh Sargsyan chaired the talk.

Party vice-chairman and MP Armen Ashotyan informed that the discussants conferred on the political situation in Armenia, draft amendments to the election law and the forthcoming snap parliamentary election.