17:24,
YEREVAN, 23 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 September, USD exchange rate stood at 485.29 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 569.58 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.39 drams. GBP exchange rate stood at 620.78 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price stood at 29790.51 drams. Silver price stood at 411.28 drams. Platinum price stood at 14151.41 drams.
First resident ambassador of Netherlands presents credentials to Armenian President
19:04,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The new Ambassador of the Netherlands Nico Schermers presented his credentials to the Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on September 23 in Yerevan.
“I am happy to be the first resident ambassador of the Netherlands in Armenia,” Schermers said, conveying King Willem-Alexander’s greetings to the President of Armenia and the Armenian people.
The Ambassador said he expects productive and effective work for the benefit of the development and expansion of bilateral partnership.
The President of Armenia congratulated Schermers on starting his diplomatic service in Armenia and expressed certainty that the ambassador will use his experience for further strengthening the friendly relations between Armenia and the Netherlands.
Prioritizing the deepening of commercial partnership, the Ambassador underscored that various Dutch companies from different sectors are showing interest for Armenia.
Sarkissian talked about his ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow) Presidential Initiative – a project aimed at developing science and new technologies in Armenia. As many major tech enterprises and scientific centers from around the world have expressed desire to cooperate as part of ATOM, the President told the Ambassador that he would be happy to cooperate with Dutch companies, universities and scientific centers also.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Armenia Hires Lobbying Firm For ‘Strategic’ Talks With U.S.
• Sargis Harutyunyan
U.S. -- Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole salutes before the flag-draped coffin of
former U.S. President George H. W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol rotunda in
Washington, December 4, 2018
The Armenian government confirmed on Wednesday that it has hired a
Washington-based lobbying firm ahead of fresh negotiations with U.S. officials
which it hopes will boost U.S.-Armenian relations.
Lobbying records in Washington revealed last week a one-month contract between
the government and the Alston & Bird law firm worth $10,000. It was signed on
September 15 by Armenian Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan and
Bob Dole, a former pro-Armenian U.S. senator who now works as a special counsel
at Alston & Bird.
“We will assist the Republic of Armenia in its efforts to build on the strategic
partnership with the United States in advance of planned diplomatic talks in
October of 2020,” the 97-year-old Dole said in a letter to Nersesyan.
“During the course of this engagement, Alston & Bird will monitor current events
relevant to US-Armenia relations and provide strategic counsel with respect to
improvement of that relationship,” he wrote. “These services may include
outreach to United States Government officials as well as Members of Congress
and their staffs.”
The lobbying firm will help Yerevan prepare for the final round of the
U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue which will take place in Washington next month.
The Armenian delegation is expected to be headed by Foreign Minister Zohrab
Mnatsakanian.
“The format and level of the final meeting is still being discussed,” said
Armella Shakarian, head of the U.S. and Canada desk at the Armenian Foreign
Ministry. It should be ascertained over the next week, she said.
Armenia - Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian (R) and U.S. Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State George Kent are about to sign an agreement after the first
session of the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialouge in Yerevan, May 7, 2019.
The first session of the “strategic dialogue” was held in Yerevan in May 2019.
Senior U.S. and Armenian officials discussed a wide range of issues and pledged
to strive for closer bilateral ties. The two sides held two more sessions via a
video link earlier this month.
Shakarian said that the dialogue has widened the scope of issues on the agenda
of U.S.-Armenian cooperation. “We expect the implementation of more far-reaching
projects and the development of economic ties with the United States,” she told
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
The official added that defense and security issues are also on the agenda of
the dialogue. “We are discussing ways of deepening relations in these areas,”
she said.
U.S. officials promised greater financial assistance to Armenia following the
May 2019 talks. Washington increased that assistance by 40 percent, to over $60
million, last year to support the implementation of the Armenian government’s
ambitious reform agenda.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the government’s declared efforts to
root out corruption, strengthen the rule of law and improve the domestic
business environment when he congratulated Armenia on its Independence Day on
Monday.
Armenian Opposition To Demand Snap Elections
• Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia -- Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leader of the opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, at a news conference in Yerevan, April 30, 2019.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and two other opposition
parties will demand the holding of fresh general elections at their first joint
rally scheduled for October 8, a Dashnaktsutyun leader said on Wednesday.
Dashnaktsutyun, the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) and Hayrenik Party announced
their decision to rally supporters in Yerevan’s Liberty Square on Tuesday. In a
joint statement, they denounced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and his cabinet
and cited “the need for the formation of a new kind of national government.”
“The main demand is pre-term parliamentary elections and that requires the prime
minister’s resignation,” Dashnaktsutyun’s Ishkhan Saghatelian told RFE/RL’s
Armenian Service. “Other details will be voiced at the rally.”
Just hours after the three parties made the announcement, it emerged that a
court in Yerevan scheduled for Wednesday a hearing on the pre-trial arrest of
the BHK’s indicted leader Gagik Tsarukian sought by prosecutors. Tsarukian and
his lawyers did not show up for the hearing, leading the court to postpone it
until Friday.
Alen Simonian, a senior lawmaker from the ruling My Step bloc, claimed that the
planned rally is aimed at helping Tsarukian avoid arrest on vote buying charges
strongly denied by him.
Saghatelian categorically denied such a connection. “We are saying the opposite:
that these authorities keep trying to silence their political opponents through
criminal cases and persecution,” he said.
The Dashnaktsutyun leader insisted that the rally will take place as planned
even if Tsarukian is arrested. “We hope that the authorities will not opt for
that,” he said.
The three parties agreed in June to work together in challenging the government
shortly after Tsarukian was stripped of his parliamentary immunity from
prosecution and charged with bribing voters ahead of 2017 parliamentary
elections. The BHK leader, who is one of Armenia’s richest men, rejects the
accusations as politically motivated.
With 8.3 percent of the vote, Tsarukian’s party came in a distant second in the
last general elections held in December 2018 and widely recognized as
democratic. Dashnaktsutyun got only 3.9 percent, failing to win any parliament
seats.
Dashnaktsutyun and the BHK had for years been represented in former President
Serzh Sarkisian’s government toppled during the 2018 “Velvet Revolution.” They
joined Pashinian’s first cabinet formed in May 2018 but were ousted from it five
months later when the prime minister accused them of secretly collaborating with
the former ruling Republican Party.
The third opposition party, Hayrenik, was set up early this year by Artur
Vanetsian, the former head of Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS).
Vanetsian fell out with Pashinian and resigned as NSS director in September 2019.
China Opens New Embassy Complex In Armenia
Armenia -- Chinese Ambassador Tian Erlong (R) shows Armenian President Armen
Sarkissian around China's newly built embassy complex in Yerevan, September 23,
2020.
President Armen Sarkissian visited China’s new and sprawling embassy complex in
Armenia on Wednesday, saying that its construction highlights Beijing’s desire
to deepen Chinese-Armenian relations.
Work on the Chinese Embassy’s new building and adjacent facilities in Yerevan
began three years ago. Officials said at the time that it will be China’s second
largest diplomatic mission in the former Soviet Union.
“You are the first and most honorable guest of our new embassy,” Chinese
Ambassador Tian Erlong told Sarkissian before showing him around the
40,000-square-meter compound.
Sarkissian toured the compound ahead of China’s National Day that will be marked
on October 1. He congratulated Tian and other Yerevan-based Chinese diplomats on
the upcoming holiday.
“I think China can be proud of such presence,” the president told the envoy at
an ensuing meeting. “We regard this [new embassy complex] as China’s bid to
deepen Chinese-Armenian relations and elevate them to a higher level.”
Armenia -- Armenian President Armen Sarkissian (R) visits China's newly built
embassy complex in Yerevan, .
“Despite their different size, Armenia and China have many similarities: they
both are global nations in a certain sense,” he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised bilateral ties when he congratulated
Sarkissian on the 29th anniversary of Armenia’s declaration of independence on
Monday. He said Beijing and Yerevan support each other in the international
arena on “issues which are vital for the interests of the two countries.”
“I attach great importance to the development of the Chinese-Armenia relations
and I am ready to make, together with you, joint efforts to elevate our
multifaceted cooperation to a new level,” Xi wrote in a congratulatory message.
Xi reaffirmed China’s desire to deepen political, economic and cultural ties
with Armenia when he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Beijing in May
2019. “Constructive and productive relations with China are very important for
us,” Pashinian said, for his part.
China -- Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian in Beijing, May 14, 2019.
In August 2018, Pashinian attended the inauguration of a new school in Yerevan
built by the Chinese government. He said that having many Chinese speakers is an
“economic necessity” for Armenia.
China is Armenia’s second largest trading partner after Russia. According to
official Armenian statistics, Chinese-Armenian trade totaled $405 million in the
first half of this year.
Sarkissian called on Wednesday for closer commercial ties between Armenian and
Chinese high-tech companies. “I would be very happy to make my modest
contribution to the development of Chinese-Armenian economic relations in the
area of high technology,” he said.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2020 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
15:46,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Governor of Aragatsotn province Davit Gevorgyan has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he said in a Facebook post.
The Governor informed that he passed a COVID-19 test on September 17 after showing some symptoms, and the result was positive. The day after he passed a double test, and the result again was positive.
“After examinations I was diagnosed with double pneumonia with some complications in my health condition, and doctors stated that my treatment should continue in hospital. I am hospitalized since September 18. I want to thank our heroes – the doctors, all healthcare workers, the hospital staff who do the utmost for the quick recovery of all patients”, the Governor said, urging everyone to keep all the anti-coronavirus rules.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
16:09,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. President of India Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on the Independence Day, the Armenian President’s Office told Armenpress.
On behalf of the Indian government, people and himself personally President Ram Nath Kovind addressed warm wishes and congratulations to President Sarkissian and the Armenian people.
“India and Armenia are united by warm and friendly ties. Our bilateral and multilateral cooperation and human contacts have expanded in social, political, cultural and other spheres within the course of years. I hope that our joint efforts will further strengthen the multisectoral cooperation between India and Armenia”, reads the Indian President’s congratulatory letter.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
15:01,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. At the initiative of Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, a human rights project in the field of biomedicine will be implemented with the Council of Europe in the CoE space for the first time, the Ombudsman’s Office told Armenpress.
Today the first online session of the commission coordinating the action plan Human Rights in Biomedicine took place. The program aims at raising public awareness about human rights standards in the fields of biomedicine and medicine, strengthening the capacities of lawyers, doctors and state structures in applying these standards.
The online session was attended by Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, First deputy minister of healthcare Anahit Avanesyan and other officials.
The program will be implemented in 2020-2022.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
16:11,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today chaired a consultation over the 2021 state budget draft, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.
Minister of Finance Atom Janjughazyan introduced the 2021 budgetary process, the macroeconomic and fiscal framework. He stated that the budget draft is being developed based on the economic developments and forecasts in Armenia and the world.
The discussion focused on the predicted macroeconomic indicators, fiscal policy, capital expenditure programs, the government’s priorities, goals and anti-crisis measures. Several proposals were presented.
PM Pashinyan tasked to continue the discussions.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
17:12,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom congratulates Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on the occasion of the Independence Day, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.
“I am very happy to address my congratulations and best wishes to Your Excellency on the occasion of the national day, wishing happiness and welfare to the Armenian people in the coming year”, reads the Queen’s congratulatory letter.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
17:27,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Employees of a children’s home in Yerevan are under criminal investigation on suspicion of physically and psychologically abusing the children of the institution, police said in a news release.
Police said they were tipped off about the alleged maltreatment of the children and launched an investigation which gathered sufficient evidence supporting the allegations.
The investigation revealed that the children at the institution “were deprived from minimal living conditions and personal hygiene means” for a lengthy period of time, police said. The authorities said the employees have subjected the children to physical abuse by beating them with sticks and hands.
Other details weren’t immediately available.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
17:35,
YEREVAN, 22 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 September, USD exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 485.29 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 5.40 drams to 569.58 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 6.39 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 8.89 drams to 620.78 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 417.84 drams to 29790.51 drams. Silver price down by 5.98 drams to 411.28 drams. Platinum price down by 513.97 drams to 14151.41 drams.