Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 19.05.21:

  • The situation at the Armenia-Azerbaijani border remains tense.

Azerbaijani troops have not yet retreated from Armenian state borders near Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces, although following talks with Russian mediators Azerbaijani troops have agreed to go back.

The defense ministry noted that the Azerbaijani side did not even attend the talks scheduled for Wednesday. 

According to the ministry, in case of failure of Azerbaijani soldiers to return to their starting positions within reasonable timeframes, Armenia will reserve the right to solve the problem, including by force.

The additional Armenia army units have already been dispersed to border locations in the past 2 days.

Meanwhile, Moscow has offered assistance to Yerevan, Baku in demarcating the border.

According to Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, Russia has offered to assist in the beginning and implementation of the delimitation and demarcation of the border, making an initiative to establish a joint Armenian-Azerbaijani commission, in which Russia can participate as a mediator.

On Wednesday morning, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, in turn, took to his Facebook to noted that the Azerbaijani armed forces, being illegally in the Armenian territory had threatened shepherds and border residents with weapons. 

  • While discussing its resolution report on Turkey at Wednesday plenary session, the European Parliament reaffirmed its call for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. 

Also, Turkey is urged to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech and to fully respect its commitments to protect Armenian culture.

Also, the aforesaid resolution report makes several references to Turkey's negative role in the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict.

The report condemns the transfer of foreign militants from Syria and elsewhere to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

The US has raised its travel advisory with respect to Armenia to its highest—Level 4 (red)—, and does not advise its citizens to travel to this country. The warning was issued by the US State Department.

The coronavirus is mentioned as a reason, but this travel advisory speaks also about border tension.

A similar travel advisory has been issued in connection with Azerbaijan, too.

  • Young Jews attacked a member of the Saint Hakobyants Congregation of the Patriarchate, Friar Arbag Sarukhanian.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem strictly condemns the attack noting that Father Arbag received a bodily injury and was immediately transferred to the local hospital. 

The Patriarchate has officially submitted a complaint to the police, and three of the young people have been arrested.

  • As of Wednesday morning, 229 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 221,368.

Also, 11 more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 4,357 cases.

The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 286, the total respective number so far is 209,508.