Month: February 2021

 11:40, 5 February, 2021

ALMATY, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin expressed gratitude to the Deputy Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Management Board Tigran Sargsyan for the creation of the “Travel Without COVID-19” application that is used in restarting travel following the pandemic-related shutdown. 

“I’d like to thank our colleagues, Nikolai Podguzov, Tigran Sargsyan, for such a quick and active work,” Mishustin said at the Almaty Digital Forum 2021 in Kazakhstan, addressing EDB Management Board Chairman Podguzov and his deputy Tigran Sargsyan.

Mishustin noted that Russia, Armenia and Belarus have already joined the program and expressed hope that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will also do so soon.

The Travel without COVID-19 program features a mobile app which shows the traveler’s COVID-19 test result in the form of a QR code, which is used when crossing border.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:37, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, calling on Azerbaijan to return the Armenian prisoners of war, the Armenian Embassy in the Czech Republic reports.

“At its sitting on February 4, 2021 the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, by which it welcomed the establishment of the ceasefire and expressed regret over Azerbaijan's non-compliance with the ceasefire clause on returning prisoners, calling on the latter to return the remaining prisoners. At the same time, the Committee called for a political settlement to the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship”, the statement says.

 13:01, 5 February, 2021

ALMATY, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated Armenia’s active participation and support to the creation and realization of the Eurasian Economic Union’s digital agenda.

Speaking at a prime ministerial meeting of the union in Kazakhstan, he praised the Digital Forum which was taking place within the framework of the session. “I am sure that today’s forum will have important contribution in identifying the priority directions and efficient toolbox for cooperation in the high tech and digital technology sector between our countries. In this context I’d like to gladly mention the successful launch of the Travel Without COVID-19 mobile application program. This program, which was launched on February 1, enabled us to find mutually acceptable solutions regarding passenger transportation between Armenia, Belarus and Russia, which is of rather important social and economic significance for our country,” Pashinyan told the prime ministers of the fellow EEU countries.

He also mentioned that the perfection of the mechanisms for implementing special protective, anti-dumping and countervailing actions in the union could be effectively used for protecting domestic producers from the negative impacts of growing imports from non-EEU countries or unfair competition.

Pashinyan said that Armenia is ready for close cooperation with EEU colleagues in terms of integration to identify the ways to develop common approaches for using the abovementioned measures.

The EEU heads of government are discussing the elimination of obstacles in the domestic market of the union, the perfection of the mechanisms of implementing anti-dumping and countervailing measures, the macroeconomic situation and proposals for the sustainable development of the economies.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 13:25, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 16,688 to 3,934,606 in the past 24 hours, TASS reports citing the anti-coronavirus crisis center.

The coronavirus growth rate stands at 0.43%.

In particular, 946 coronavirus cases were recorded in the Moscow region in the past day.

There are currently 445,379 active coronavirus cases in Russia.

 13:26, 5 February, 2021

ALMATY, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says additional steps should be taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as well as create favorable conditions for safe passenger transportations within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

“The previous year was not easy for the EAEU member states. The fight against coronavirus remains one of the key directions of our cooperation. It’s obvious that the creation of opportunities for vaccination would be a decisive factor. As you know, two vaccines are already registered in Russia, the registration of the third is expected, and according to the decision of the Russian President, a massive vaccination process has started. We are ready to provide our partners with the whole necessary support on this matter and share our experience”, the Russian PM said at the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

“I Am Travelling Without COVID-19” pilot project has launched. The Russian PM said Armenia, Belarus and Russia are using this project, but he expressed hope that the list of the countries will expand. He added that this will allow people to move freely and travel.

The session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council is taking place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, attended by the Prime Ministers of the EAEU member states – Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:06, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Authorities of the Ararat Province are denying as ‘disinformation’ the reports alleging that during the February 3 visit of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan they discussed surrendering the town of Tigranashen to Azerbaijan.

The provincial government issued a statement saying that the discussions they had focused solely on issues of the implemented and ongoing projects in the province.

“Please do not spread such disinformation and refrain from serving the interests of foreign and domestic enemies,” it said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 15:32, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The next session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will take place in Russia.

The respective decision was adopted at today’s session of the Council in Almaty, Kazakhstan, attended by the prime ministers of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) – Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus.

“The Prime Ministers noted that in the recent period they met in Minsk, Yerevan and Almaty. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin proposed to hold the next session in Russia, but the city where the session will take place will be announced later. The session will take place on April 23”, the assistant to the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission said at a press conference.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:41, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The famous Khachaturian Trio, an ensemble which performs frequently and actively around the world under usual circumstances, was forced to take a break of almost a year — cancelling major tours in Europe (Germany and Austria), the USA and Russia. Their most recent public appearance was a tour of cities in Russia and the Baltic states in February 2020.

The light at the end of the tunnel, however, may fortunately be in sight, with 10th February marking the Khachaturian Trio’s first concert since early last year. Auspiciously taking place at the Khachaturian House-Museum, this concert will also serve as the trio’s inaugural performance of the year, with further appearances planned in March as the trio embarks on an eleven-date tour of cities in Russia.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the ensemble’s cellist and founding member, Karen Kocharyan, will not be present for these concerts. The trio warmly welcomes the talented young performer Artyom Ioanisyan, who will take Kocharyan’s place for these engagements.

Speaking of their anticipation for the upcoming performances, the trio’s pianist and Director of the Khachaturian House-Museum, Armine Grigoryan, said: "It has been a long time since I have appreciated the value of rehearsals so much and had such a desire to play music, as I do now. It feels like we are preparing to go on stage for the first time all over again, even though the ensemble is more than twenty years old. We are very pleased with this opportunity, and we are immensely grateful to the European Foundation for Support of Culture (EUFSC) and personally to Konstantin Ishkhanov, the President of the Foundation, who supported our idea for this series of concerts”.

Noting their longstanding collaboration and his close following of their performances, EUFSC President, Konstantin Ishkhanov, said: "I must say that we have cooperated often and successfully in the past. The Khachaturian Trio has performed at our festivals in Malta, Kazakhstan, Russia and Italy, and I am very happy to be able to help the ensemble get back to full-fledged concert activity. The development and success of Armenian musicians such as the Khachaturian Trio is very important to me, and I hope we will continue to work together on projects in the future.”

The Khachaturian Trio will perform at 19:00 on February 10th at the Khachaturian House-Museum in Yerevan. The programme includes works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonin Dvorak, and the premiere of a new trio by Alexey Shor.

 15:46, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan received Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopykin and his delegation in order to discuss the process and prospects of the Armenian-Russian commercial cooperation, the ministry told Armenpress.

“Armenia’s partnership with Russia is developing successfully, however there is potential to further deepen it. We are planning to develop a multi-sector cooperation agenda with Russia, and I hope it will contribute to intensifying the economic ties between the two countries”, the Armenian minister said.

In his turn the Russian Ambassador said that economy is among the priority fields of the bilateral cooperation, adding that it’s time to think of strengthening the economic ties and further intensifying them, which will lead to the attraction of new investments.

The minister shared the view of the Ambassador and highlighted creation of business financing infrastructure in Armenia.

Thereafter, the sides discussed a number of issues relating to the Armenian-Russian economic cooperation.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 16:21, 5 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh commented on the resolution adopted recently by the Australian State of South Australia, by which it recognized Artsakh, the ministry told Armenpress.

“The process of international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh at the level of administrative-territorial units of different foreign countries continues. The latest achievement in this process has been the adoption of a resolution recognizing the Republic of Artsakh and supporting the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination by the legislature of the Australian State of South Australia.

We consider it important that the resolution condemns the Turkish-Azerbaijani armed aggression launched against the Republic of Artsakh on September 27, 2020, the policy of hatred against Armenians pursued by the Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities and the consistent destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in the occupied territories of Artsakh, as well as calls upon the federal authorities of Australia to recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.

We are convinced that the international recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh is of key importance towards creating the necessary conditions for its people to live freely, safely, and decently in its homeland. It will also be an additional impetus for a just and lasting settlement of the Azerbaijan – Karabakh conflict, which should be based on the recognition of the right to self-determination exercised by the people of Artsakh and the cessation of the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Artsakh.

We express our gratitude to all those who made a decisive contribution to the adoption of this resolution and appreciate the resolute stance of the legislature of the State of South Australia, which affirms its commitment to the ideas of human rights, freedom and justice”, the statement says.