ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday IMF Tao Zhang: we need to continue diversification and modernization of Armenian economy Yerevan June 12 Karina Meliqyan. It is necessary to continue diversifying and modernizing the Armenian economy, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Zhang Tao expressed such an opinion congratulating Armenia on the 25th anniversary of membership in the IMF. "During these 25 years, Armenia has made significant progress in ensuring macroeconomic stability, namely, satisfactory rates of economic growth, inflation targeting, and relatively good fiscal policy management. We are proud that we give consultations to such a partner as Armenia, we provide technical and financial assistance to regulate the economy and create more solid bases for economic growth", the IMF Deputy Managing Director said, adding that the cooperation with Armenia and the willingness to continue will continue. To note, the members of the Dutch group at the IMF and the Belgian group with the World Bank are Bulgaria, Israel, Luxembourg, Romania, Ukraine, Belgium, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands. Menno Snel, who represents the interests of the member countries in the Executive Council of the IMF, heads the group. The meetings of this group involve high- level officials and leading experts of the global financial system.
Month: June 2017
OSCE MG Co-Chairs, Artsakh President discuss situation in border between Artsakh and Azerbaijan
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday OSCE MG Co-Chairs, Artsakh President discuss situation in border between Artsakh and Azerbaijan YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan on June 12 hosted OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov (Russian Federation), Stephane Visconti (France) and Richard Hoagland (USA), personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk and officials accompanying them, press service of the Artsakh President’s Office told Armenpress. Issues related to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement and situation along the borders between Artsakh and Azerbaijan were on the discussion agenda. President Sahakyan drew the attention of the co-chairs to the unconstructive policy of Azerbaijan, numerous facts of breaches and violations of the ceasefire regime, international norms and principles, qualifying them as the most important hindrances of the conflict settlement process and serious threats for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Artsakh President reaffirmed adherence of the official Stepanakert to the peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group.
By spreading false reports Azerbaijan misleads its own society – Artsakh Defense Ministry spox
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday By spreading false reports Azerbaijan misleads its own society – Artsakh Defense Ministry spox YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Army of Artsakh once again denies the false reports of the Azerbaijani side. The Azerbaijani media reports on firing the villages of Aghdam region by the Armenian side do not correspond to reality and are a primitive propaganda trick to mislead their own people and the international community, Senor Hasratyan, spokesman of the Artsakh Defense Ministry, told Armenpress. “The information has nothing to do with reality. The goal of spreading such information is to mislead its own society. Moreover, the harvesting is already over in Azerbaijan and they burn their crops as a result of which fire quickly spreads in neutral zone of Artsakh-Azerbaijan opposing forces”, Senor Hasratyan said.
Russian military expert sees similarity between atrocities of Turks and Azerbaijanis in April 1915 and 2016
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday Russian military expert sees similarity between atrocities of Turks and Azerbaijanis in April 1915 and 2016 YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Russian military expert Vladimir Evseev, deputy director of the CIS Countries Institute, doesn’t imagine complete, effective talks on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement without the participation of Stepanakert. The expert identified three issues which serve basis for the conflict’s possible settlement. “The return of Stepanakert to negotiation table, expansion of OSCE mission, as well as installation of investigative mechanisms. These are realistic”, he told Armenpress, adding that he doesn’t see any prospect for resumption of serious talks since Azerbaijan has no motivation. According to Vladimir Evseev, by their last statement the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs accepted what had happened, however this is not enough, since, according to him, real actions are needed except from calls and statements. “If I were on their place, I would urge Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations. I don’t know why they didn’t do it: unfortunately, this is a double standards policy, in other words, there was a statement, however, it was not followed by any action. I think in any case this statement cannot be a restraining factor for Azerbaijan. The only restraining factor are the Armed forces. Only through force it will be possible to return Azerbaijan to negotiation table”, he said. The military expert visited Artsakh in February to take part in the constitutional referendum as an observer. He told that he met with Talish residents who remained without settlements due to Azerbaijani aggression, however, they have a great desire to return to their village. “They live in this way since they have constantly been under fire, and most importantly, their homes have been under sniper fire. Someone must be held accountable for this”, he said. He also talked about the tortures of Azerbaijani armed forces on Talish civilians, as well as the Defense Army soldiers carried out in April last year, stating that the Azerbaijani side must be definitely held accountable. “They must face the issue of standing before the tribunal, they deserve it since these atrocities are violations of international law. The next incident which angered me was the beheading of soldier with Yazidi origin after which it was also displayed. I remembered a photo at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute which depicted heads of three Armenians laid on the table, and on the back were Turks. There are many similar phenomena. During that time this was a crime, and especially now it is also a crime”, Vladimir Evseev said. Asked how he will comment on Russia’s policy to sell weapons to Azerbaijan in case when Russia always highlights that Armenia is its ally, the expert said: “Arms sales to Azerbaijan is not an economic issue for Russia. Armenia believes that by this Russia receives money, moreover, at the expense of blood of Armenian soldiers. This is not true since Russia does it to keep Azerbaijan under its influence. There are many questions in Russian-Azerbaijan relations which are not related with Armenia. Russia doesn’t want to quarrel with Azerbaijan. At the same time Russia understands that the level of relations with the two countries is different. For Russia Armenia is an ally, the Russian military base is deployed here. There is no Russian military base in Azerbaijan. We are not considered as allies. We could also refuse from arms sales, but otherwise, how it would be possible to maintain influence”, the military expert said. Syuzi Muradyan
Candidates with Armenian origin lead in first round of French parliamentary elections
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday Candidates with Armenian origin lead in first round of French parliamentary elections YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. The En Marche! (On the Move) party of French President Emmanuel Macron sets for big win in the first round of parliamentary elections, reports Armenpress. The election results were also quite positive for candidates with Armenian origin who are mainly nominated by En Marche! and the center-right Republicans. Pascal Chamassian (En Marche!) is leading in first electoral district of Bouches-du-Rhône community of Marseille with 29.43% of votes, and the second candidate is Valérie Boyer(Republican) with 24.68%. Danièle Cazarian (En Marche!) leads in Bouches-du-Rhône’s 13 electoral district, 33.99%, and Philippe Meunier (Republican) with 20.81% of votes. Coming to d’Eure-et-Loir first electoral district, again candidate of Armenian origin Guillaume Kasbarian is leading with 37.12% of votes, and the second is Republican candidate Franck Masselus with 22.15% of votes. Jacques Marilossianfrom En Marche!-received most of the votes (48.48%) in 7th electoral district of Hauts-de-Seine Rueil, and Republican Eric Berdoatireceived 27.91% of the votes.
Music: ‘Sayat-Nova’ festival to unite Armenian and Georgian musicians
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday 'Sayat-Nova' festival to unite Armenian and Georgian musicians YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. ‘Sayat-Nova’ festival will be held on June 16 in Tbilisi and will end on June 18 in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. “The aim of the festival is to present the Armenian musical art, our rich heritage to the public and maintain it. The opening ceremony of the festival will be held in Tbilisi’s St. George Church, and it will enable to activate the church’s daily life”, ‘Music of Armenia’ representative Hasmik Movsisyan told reporters on June 12. She said they have selected musicians from various musical ensembles who will perform works of Sayat-Nova and other Armenian ashiks together with Georgian musicians. “We are trying to negotiate also with Georgia’s Ministry of Culture aimed at holding the festival also in Javakheti and other cities of Georgia in future”, Movsisyan said. Georgian Embassy representative in Armenia Nino Aptsiauri said she is very happy that such festival is being held bearing the name of great Armenian poet and ashik Sayat-Nova. According to her, Sayat-Nova is a symbol of Armenian-Georgian unity, and the event can further intensify the mutual relations of the two countries. Armenian and Georgian musicians will take part in the festival. The festival is being held for the 3rd time by the initiative of ‘Music of Armenia’.
NATO and Armenia to discuss increasing number of Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday NATO and Armenia to discuss increasing number of Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and NATO have perfect cooperation in numerous fields, and there is a significant progress, James Appathurai - NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, told reporters in Yerevan on June 12, reports Armenpress. “We are grateful to Armenia for actively taking part in our operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. We wait for the Armenian Defense Minister’s upcoming visit to Brussels, where, among other issues, we will discuss the issue of increasing the number of Armenian peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan”, James Appathurai said. He stated that the cooperation between Armenia and NATO is enshrined by a broad framework agreement. James Appathurai said NATO actively educates Armenian troops in its military educational institutions, it cooperates with Armenia on ensuring transparency in the armed forces and anti-corruption affairs. “During my recent meeting with Armenia’s Defense Minister he expressed his readiness and dedication to these issues”, James Appathurai said, adding that they discussed with the Armenian Defense Minister regional and international security issues. He expects that during his meetings in Armenia the above-mentioned issues will be on the agenda.
NATO not troubled by Armenia’s membership to EEU or CSTO
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday NATO not troubled by Armenia's membership to EEU or CSTO YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. NATO isn’t at all concerned about Armenia’s membership to the Eurasian Economic Union or the Collective Security Treaty Organization, James Appathurai - NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, “We respect Armenia’s balances foreign policy. Armenia remains a reliable partner for NATO”, he emphasized. He added that NATO continues to cooperate with Armenia in all possible directions. “We continue cooperation with Armenia in all those directions, where it’s reasonable”, Appathurai said.
NATO supports Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts aimed at peaceful settlement of NK conflict
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday NATO supports Minsk Group Co-Chairs' efforts aimed at peaceful settlement of NK conflict YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. NATO supports the efforts aimed at peacefully settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, James Appathurai - NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, told reporters in Yerevan on June 12, reports Armenpress. “We are closely following the regional developments, we regularly receive information from our Office in Georgia. We know that recently frequent clashes are taking place in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, the militaristic rhetoric has increased. As NATO is not directly engaged in the conflict settlement process, I cannot give comments. I can only state that we support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at peaceful settlement of the conflict”, he said. James Appathurai added all NATO member states are concerned over the growing arms race in the region. “It is clear from the statements of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs that they exclusively support the peaceful settlement of the conflict, and NATO’s policy is to reduce tension, hostility and reach peace”, James Appathurai said.
NATO reaffirms support for OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday NATO reaffirms support for OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' efforts YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s foreign minister Edward Nalbandian held a meeting on June 12 with James Appathurai - NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. According to the foreign ministry, “The FM greeted the guest and appreciated the results within the frameworks of Armenia-NATO partnership. During the meeting the sides touched upon a number of agenda issues regarding the cooperation between Armenia and NATO – Partnership For Peace, Euro-Atlantic partnership council and Individual partnership action plan partnership. Edward Nalbandian briefed the NATO official on the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs – aimed at creating relevant conditions for advancing the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process. James Appathurai reaffirmed NATO’s support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The parties also exchanged ideas on a number of pressing international and regional issues”.