15:55, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian kicked off in Tehran.
The Armenian FM arrived in Iran today on a working visit, his spokesperson said.
The two FMs are scheduled to give a joint press conference after the meeting.
The Armenian and Iranian FMs also met recently in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
16:43, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s delegation led by Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan met today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, the Armenian Parliament’s press service said.
The Russian FM highly appreciated the Armenian-Russian strategic and partnering relations, calling the first official visit of the Armenian Speaker of Parliament to Russia as an evidence of this.
Alen Simonyan thanked for the reception and offered his congratulations to the Russian people on the recent parliamentary elections.
The sides discussed in details the current situation in the region, touching upon the establishment of lasting peace and the elimination of the problems which obstruct that process. In this context they in particular stressed the importance of the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives from Azerbaijan.
The Armenian Parliament Speaker and the Russian FM also discussed the bilateral cooperation in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other sectors. During the talk they emphasized the role of parliaments in developing and strengthening the bilateral mutual partnership.
Both sides highlighted the effective partnership within the CIS Inter-parliamentary assembly and the CSTO parliamentary assembly, taking into account the priorities of Armenia’s chairmanship.
At the end of the meeting Speaker Simonyan thanked the Russian Foreign Minister for his significant contribution to the development of the Armenian-Russian cooperation.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
17:25, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, 4 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 4 October, USD exchange rate stood at 485.32 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 561.95 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.64 drams. GBP exchange rate stood at 654.99 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price stood at 27193.6 drams. Silver price stood at 335.86 drams. Platinum price stood at 15026.07 drams.
PM Pashinyan honors memory of those fallen for Lithuania's independence
18:15, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan visited Antakalnis Military Cemetery in Vilnius, where he honored the memory of those fallen for Lithuania's independence, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
18:25, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the USAD waste recycling plant in Vilnius, got acquainted with the process of waste recycling using modern technologies. The management of the factory presented the raw materials obtained from waste recycling to the Prime Minister.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the leadership of the company expressed readiness to share their experience and provide technical assistance to the Armenian side in implementing such programs.
Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the cooperation with Lithuanian partners in the field of waste recycling, noting that Lithuania's experience and example in this field can be useful for the Armenian Government.
19:07, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is on an official visit in Lithuania, visited Eastern Europe Studies Center in Vilnius and met with representatives of the expert community, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister first referred to the processes taking place in our country and in the South Caucasus region. In particular, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the early parliamentary elections in Armenia in June served for the first time in the history of our Republic as a tool to overcome the domestic political crisis.
"Usually the elections in our country have caused domestic political crises, perhaps the most noisy domestic political problems in the history of our country have emerged in post-election periods. This is the first time that elections have become a tool to overcome the crisis, not a cause of crises. After the war, there were serious discussions about how appropriate the parliamentary system is for Armenia. There were really reasons for that, but I must say that this election was described by international observers as free, competitive and democratic for the second time in a row, which is also unprecedented”, the Head of the Government said.
According to Nikol Pashinyan, these elections, which took place in the post-war period, generated some important political content. “After the war, it was important to set the guidelines in which Armenia should move. I must admit that the answers to these questions in the political field were not fully formulated, but the recent elections generated a specific political content. At least for our political force, it was not so much a political campaign as a dialogue with the citizens, where they were not only listeners, but also speakers. We were the ones to listen to what citizens thought about our history of the last 30 years. It was at this point, that the strategy which the Government of the Republic of Armenia included in its Action Plan was formulated. We describe it as a need to open an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region’’, the PM said, adding that it is also subject to criticism, which is comprehendible.
"Because developments take place every day, which, by and large, cast doubt on to what extent peace is possible in our region, or due to the situation we have in our region, over the conflict around the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
There is also a bigger question: to what extent is democracy able to ensure security and peaceful development? But our position is clear that in spite of all the circumstances that question the competitiveness of the peace agenda, we must move consistently forward in that direction.
We believe that the policy of small steps should be adopted without rushing to set insurmountable benchmarks. On the other hand, concrete results and processes are needed. In this regard, we consider the resumption of the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict necessary," Prime Minister Pashinyan underlined.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister answered numerous questions of the experts related to the prospects of peace in the South Caucasus, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process, the implementation of democratic reforms in Armenia, the development of Armenia-EU relations and a number of other topics.
Armenia highly appreciates Iran's position on the inviolability of the country's borders – Armenian FM
19:41, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. After the meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Iran, the parties issued a joint statement for the press, during which Mirzoyan noted that Armenia highly appreciates Iran's position on the country's territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.
ARMENPRESS presents the speech of Ararat Mirzoyan.
“Dear Mr. Amir-Abdollahian,
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Amir-Abdollahian, my colleague, a good friend, for the invitation, for the warm reception, for the effective discussions and negotiations.
During our discussions with Minister Abdollahian in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust, we expressed satisfaction with the high level of Armenian-Iranian relations and the regularity of high-level contacts. We stressed that our partnership is based on the millennia-old brotherhood, and expressed mutual readiness to deepen our strategic partnership in all directions.
We discussed regional developments in detail. Naturally, I referred in detail to the recent Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Nagorno Karabakh and its aftermath. We, of course, also noted that mercenary terrorists from various hotspots took part in that aggression.
I mentioned that many humanitarian problems still remain after the war. Although Azerbaijan assumed the obligation to release all Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages at the moment of cessation of hostilities, they are still being held in Baku. Their release and repatriation must take place immediately.
I have mentioned that we have agreed that Armenia and Azerbaijan should start talks on opening regional communications through Russian mediation, but there are also problems here between the parties.
Armenia has stated and states that it is open to talk about opening communications, while Azerbaijan is trying to misinterpret it and speaks about the so-called "Zangezur Corridor", about which there has been no word or agreement.
Both this and Azerbaijan's encroachments on the sovereign territory of Armenia hamper our efforts for the stability and security of the region. In this regard, we highly appreciate Iran's position on the territorial integrity of Armenia and the inviolability of its borders.
I also informed my colleague that, in fact, the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format resumed in New York a few days ago. Taking this opportunity, I would like to once again reaffirm Armenia's readiness to continue the full process of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group, within the framework of their mandate, on the basis of yje well-known principles and elements.
Of course, one of the important topics of our today’s meeting was the recent challenges facing the transport transit and the ways to overcome them. I presented to the Honorable Mr. Minister the details of the road construction, as well as the existing challenges. I have informed that the bypass road, which was much talked about, is almost completed.
Of course, we talked about continuing, accelerating and completing our major joint economic programs.
I would like to note again that, as the Minister assured, the political leaderships of the two countries are determined to fully develop and deepen our relations in an atmosphere of partnership.
Thank you again for the invitation, dear Mr. Minister, I look forward to seeing you in Yerevan”.
19:47, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received on October 4 Secretary General of the Organization of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo and the delegation led by her.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, Louise Mushikiwabo noted that following being elected head of the Organization duirng the 17th summit of the Organization of La Francophonie in Yerevan in 2018, she is glad to return to Armenia and to discuss the cooperation directions with the President of the country, as well as listen to his approaches over the development of partnership in the sidelines of the Organization of La Francophonie.
Presenting the main directions and programs of the Organization, the Secretary General emphasized that the Organization pays great attention to young people-oriented programs, trying to create different platforms and opportunities for them, as well as the development of economic cooperation between the member states in different directions and dimensions.
Welcoming Louise Mushikiwabo’s visit to Armenia, President Sarkissian touched upon the directions where it is possible to establish effective cooperation with the member states of the Organization. In particular, he noted that the 6th STARMUS International Science and Art Festival to be held in Armenia next year is a good opportunity to involve young people from the member states, to create connections between them, to promote cooperation in science and art.
According to President Sarkissian, another opportunity for cooperation may be formed around the idea of establishing a club of Little and Smart Countries. “Together we can implement small but significant projects’’, President Sarkissian said.
Taking into account the existence of Armenia's preferential economic regimes with both the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union, the President said that Armenia can be interesting for business and investments of Francophone countries. The sides also spoke about the cooperation opportunities within the framework of the presidential ATOM initiative aimed at technological and scientific-technical development.
President Sarkissian also invited the representatives of the member states of the Organization to take part in the "Armenian Summit of Thought" to be held in Armenia, the main topics of which will be dedicated to global, regional geopolitics and new technologies.
Louise Mushikiwabo said that the presented directions really have a great potential for the development of cooperation.
20:04, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Tehran on a working visit, met with the Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on October 4. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries stressed the inadmissibility of actions endangering regional stability and highlighted cooperation to address new regional challenges.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, during the meeting, a wide range of issues related to cooperation between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral dimensions, as well as regional developments were discussed in detail.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the high level of centuries-old Armenian-Iranian friendly relations, expressing mutual readiness to make efforts to expand and deepen cooperation based on mutual trust.
The interlocutors referred to the prospects of activating economic ties, emphasizing the importance of taking targeted steps to increase trade turnover, including through the implementation of specific programs agreed between the parties. The activation of cooperation in tourism and culture was also discussed. In this context, the Ministers highlighted the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission of the Republic of Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The signing of a multilateral agreement on the establishment of an international transport corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea and its effective application was highlighted.
The Armenian and Iranian Foreign Ministers discussed issues related to Eurasian Economic Union-Iran cooperation.
During the meeting, the sides referred to the cooperation in the field of energy and transport infrastructure. Ararat Mirzoyan informed about the process and results of the construction of the alternative Goris-Kapan road, as well as the construction of the "North-South" highway. The parties also exchanged views on the prospects of the project “gas for electricity”.
The regional developments, issues of regional security and stability were the key topics of the discussion between Ararat Mirzoyan and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The Armenian FM presented to his counterpart the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone resulted by the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression and the humanitarian problems. Ararat Mirzoyan particularly emphasized the need for the unconditional and swift repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war, civilian hostages being held in Azerbaijan.
Touching upon the situation created as a result of the penetration of Azerbaijani troops into the sovereign territory of Armenia and the continuous provocative actions of Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan highly appreciated Iran's position on the territorial integrity of Armenia.
The Foreign Ministers of the two countries stressed the inadmissibility of actions endangering regional stability and highlighted strengthening the cooperation to address new regional challenges.
At the end of the meeting the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Iran issued joint statement for the media.
Security Council Secretary of Armenia, Iranian Ambassador discuss cooperation against regional challenges
20:19, 4 October, 2021
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Security Council, during the meeting the sides referred to regional security and stability issues.
The interlocutors outlined the prospects of cooperation in addressing new regional challenges. The importance of the Iranian port of Chabahar was particulrly emphasized in the context of both the region and the Armenian-Iranian economic relations, especially the development of Syunik. Both sides praised the readiness of the parties to continue cooperation within the Meghri Free Economic Zone and North-South road corridor.
The sides exchanged views on a number of other issues on the Armenian-Iranian agenda. Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri stressed that Tehran will make efforts for developing relations with brotherly and friendly Armenia at the highest level.