Month: December 2020

 12:54, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The specialists of the International Mine Action Center of the Russian defense ministry continue demining works in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh, the Russian defense ministry reports.

The engineering units of the Russian peacekeeping troops are completing the demining works in the northern section of Stepanakert. They have already cleared 260 hectares of land, nearly 100 km long roads, 434 buildings. Over 8,6 thousand explosive devices were found and neutralized.

In the course of demining and clearing the territory of explosive objects in Nagorno Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers use modern robotic systems.

Discovered explosive objects and unexploded ammunition are removed and destroyed at a specially equipped landfill. 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:33, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament will convene an extraordinary session on December 24, Chairman of the standing committee on economic affairs Babken Tunyan said today.

Two bills will be on the agenda. One of them is the package of bills on making amendments to the Law on Reducing and preventing the damage caused to health due to tobacco types, and the next one relates to making changes in the Tax Code.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:18, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The European Union (EU) informed the Government of Armenia about the disbursement of additional € 24 million in grants to support Armenia’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic. The EU's decision follows a positive assessment on progress in development of a Mid-Term Recovery Plan (MTRP), macroeconomic stability, public financial management and state budget transparency, in the frame of the COVID-19 Resilience Contract signed between the EU and the Government of Armenia, the EU Delegation to Armenia told Armenpress.

As part of the European Union’s € 92 million response package to the COVID-19 pandemic in Armenia, this new disbursement of € 24 million is meant to help Armenia in its fight against the COVID-19 crisis and in strengthening the economic and financial resilience in the country. This EU assistance announced today is an extra support to the recently disbursed Euro 35.6 million of last month and creates additional fiscal space to implement Government healthcare and anti-crisis measures for vulnerable groups and businesses affected by COVID-19.

H.E. Mher Grigoryan, Deputy Prime Minister, said: “We highly appreciate the EU’s support in these difficult times and extend our gratitude for the EU’s constructive and quick response in addition to the last month’s allocation of € 35.6 million. This new allocation is made within the scope of the budget support program signed between the Government of Armenia and the EU in 2020 to fight the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. We firmly believe that it will greatly contribute to Armenia’s recovery from the pandemic, supporting the Government in overcoming the socio-economic hardships resulted by the crisis.”

H.E. Andrea Wiktorin, EU Head of Delegation, said: “The EU and its Member States stand firm in supporting Armenia’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering grant assistance to contribute to Armenia’s efforts to health and socio-economic recovery and build resilience. We have already disbursed around Euro 60 million this year in direct grant-based budget support to Armenia to tackle COVID-19 and more is yet to come. Our assistance is expected to help implement important economic reforms, preserve jobs & small businesses and promote inclusive growth in Armenia. The fight against pandemic is definitely not over but we can overcome it only by standing together as one”.

The EU’s response follows a Team Europe approach, aimed at saving lives by providing quick and targeted support to our partners to face this pandemic. It combines resources from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions to support partner countries and address their short-term needs, as well as the longer-term structural impacts on societies and the economy.

 17:06, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Vahe Enfiajyan received today head of the Delegation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to Armenia Thierry Ribo, the Parliament reports.

Vahe Enfiajyan congratulated Thierry Ribo on assuming office in Armenia, wishing success in his responsible mission.

Highlighting the activity of Red Cross in such a difficult situation, the Vice Speaker has expressed his gratitude to the ICRC Delegation for retrieving the bodies of servicemen killed during the recent war in Artsakh unleashed by Azerbaijan, as well as for the search operations for missing in action, finding out the fates of prisoners of war and other detained persons, etc.

Thierry Ribo presented details over the activities carried out by the ICRC after the end of the hostilities.

He informed that the ICRC as a neutral and impartial organization, has participated in the search operations for the missing in action, has met with the Armenian POWs, got acquainted with their detention conditions. Thierry Ribo assured that the ICRC will continue conducting its mediation humanitarian mission.

The Vice Speaker of Parliament expressed readiness to assist the structure for more effectively organizing its activities.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 18:39, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Emergency Situations of Armenia Andranik Piloyan received on December 23 Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Yevgeny Zinichev who is in Yerevan on an official visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Ministry, the sides discussed a number of issues related with the humanitarian programs carried out in Artsakh. Russia has already sent 290 tons of humanitarian aid to Artsakh, another 90 tons will be delivered in the near future. Yevgeny Zinich noted that a great volume of works will be implemented for assisting the people that have appeared in a harsh situation.

The Minister of the Emergency Situations of Armenia thanked the Russian side, once again emphasizing the importance and scale of the works being done.

 18:58, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Fatherland Salvation Movement comprised of 16 opposition parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties plans to blockade all the entries of the Government building on December 24 before the Cabinet meeting, ARMENPRESS reports member of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun party Gegham Manukyan said during the protest in the Republican Square.

‘’The last session of the Government in 2020 headed by Nikol Pashinyan will take place tomorrow at 11:00. I call on everyone to blockade the Government building from all sides from 10:00’’, Manukyan said.

Vazgen Manukyan is the candidate of the Fatherland Salvation Movement for the Prime Minister's position. Vazgen Manukyan served as the first Prime Minister of Armenia from 1990 to 1991 under President Levon-Ter Petrosyan. He then served briefly as Defense Minister.

Manukyan was the President of the Public Council from 2009 to 2019.

 17:21, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, 23 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 December, USD exchange rate up by 0.24 drams to 522.21 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.28 drams to 636.78 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 6.93 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.05 drams to 700.54 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 34.18 drams to 31515.46 drams. Silver price down by 6.27 drams to 432.66 drams. Platinum price up by 511.32 drams to 17108.44 drams.

 19:42, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Yevgeny Zinichev.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the PM highly assessed the activities of the Russian Ministry aimed at the restoring the normal life in Nagorno Karabakh and providing humanitarian aid to the citizens and thanked for the effective cooperation with the Armenian side. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Government of Armenia highlights the continuous development of strategic cooperation with Russia, emphasizing Russia’s key role for strengthening peace and stability in the region.

‘’We are interested in further development of cooperation with Russia in all spheres, including security, economy and humanitarian spheres’’, the PM said, considering the development and implementation of new joint programs in various fields as necessary.

Yevgeny Zinichev provided details on the humanitarian activities carried out by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in Artsakh and noted that the transportation of humanitarian cargo and other works are carried out without problems, in close cooperation with the Armenian partners.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the full realization of the potential of the Armenian-Russian Humanitarian Center, further cooperation in the field of emergency situations and rapid response.

 19:09, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed a number of issues related with the trilateral declarations signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.  

The sides also discussed a number of bilateral and international pressing issues.

 21:20, 23 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Winter conscription will start on December 25 in Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports the issue is included in the agenda of the December 24 Cabinet session.

Military service in Armenia is mandatory for male citizens aged 18 to 27. The service lasts two years, and conscripts are drafted twice a year pursuant to the Government's decision. Citizens aged 27 to 50 are registered in the military reserve and may be called to serve if mobilization is declared.