Month: June 2022

Armenia Waives Obligation To Hand Over Samples Of Dangerous Pathogens To US

Emil Lazarian
June 2 2022

 Sumaira FH  Published | 07:26 PM

The Armenian government on Thursday approved the signing of a draft protocol under which Yerevan waives its obligation to hand over samples of dangerous pathogens to the United States in accordance with the 2010 cooperation agreement

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 02nd June, 2022) The Armenian government on Thursday approved the signing of a draft protocol under which Yerevan waives its obligation to hand over samples of dangerous pathogens to the United States in accordance with the 2010 cooperation agreement.

“To approve the signing of a protocol to the 2010 agreement between the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations and the US Department of Defense on cooperation in preventing the spread of technologies, pathogens and knowledge that can be used to develop biological weapons… The proposed amendments will exclude the component on transferring samples of requested dangerous pathogens to the US side,” a government decree read.

The protocol will take into account the forthcoming legislative amendments regulating biological security and, thus, exempt Armenia from the obligation to share pathogen samples with another countries. The document also highlights the need for the authorities to ensure a more balanced approach to international cooperation on biosafety.

Under the 2010 agreement, Yerevan pledged to transfer to the US Defense Department samples of the requested dangerous pathogens collected across Armenia for preventive, protective and other peaceful purposes, so that the parties could better identify, diagnose and control disease outbreaks in the country. The document also contained a provision for the sharing of epidemiological data.

In February, the Russian Defense Ministry discovered the existence of 30 US-funded military biological laboratories in Ukraine. According to Moscow, Washington has spent over $200 million to develop biological weapons in the facilities. Russia also said that the labs revealed in Ukraine constitute only a small part of a global network of over 300 similar facilities.

Following the scandal, the Armenian National Security Service circulated a statement in March urging the relevant authorities to inspect activities of 12 biolaboratories operating in the country and allegedly funded by the US.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/armenia-waives-obligation-to-hand-over-sample-1519891.html

AraratBank bonds listed on the Armenia Securities Exchange

David Nargizian
June 2 2022

02.06.2022 17:14

YEREVAN, June 2, /ARKA/. As reported by АraratBank, the bonds (AMARBKB2MER3) have a nominal value of USD 25, a coupon of 4.75% and a maturity of 27 months.

Coupons will be paid out every quarter. It is interesting to note that this is the 22nd current and the 14th US dollar-denominated issue of the Bank listed on AMX.

“АraratBank completed placement of its 22nd issue bonds ahead of schedule, within only 8 days. Both individuals and legal entities participated in the bond placement, which manifests the high level of credibility that the Bank has gained among its customers and investors, as well as the strong position taken by the Bank in the RA securities market. АraratBank bonds were listed on the Bbond list of Armenia Securities Exchange,” – said Anahit Shakaryan, Head of Investment Banking Department of AraratBank.

“The collaboration of the Armenia Securities Exchange and the Central Depository with АraratBank dates back to 2007. Due to the cooperation with the Central Depository, the Bank has become a link between the citizens and the Depository, mediating the registry keeping and custody services, including registration and retention of the ownership right towards securities. 

The strong collaboration between АraratBank and the Securities Exchange has been gaining momentum and the results of the annual awards ceremony are its clear confirmation,” – the Bank reports. -0-

Three Armenian banks join government-designed cashback for senior citizens scheme

Markos Nalchajian
June 2 2022
Three Armenian banks join government-designed cashback for senior citizens scheme
02.06.2022 16:15

YEREVAN, June 2. /ARKA/. Three Armenia-based commercial banks – Armbusinessbank, Ardshinbank and VTB Bank (Armenia) – have joined the government-designed scheme that will allow senior citizens to earn a certain amount of cashback if they use their credit or debit cards to pay for purchases.

The decision comes into force on July 1, 2022. According to the decision, pensioners who hold cards of the banks which are government’s partners will be refunded 10% of the total amount spent on payments and purchases in the previous month.

However, the total amount of cashback may not exceed 5000 drams a month (a little more than $10). These amendments will also apply to payment of utility bills through ATMs of partner banks.

“Out of 560 thousand pensioners in Armenia some 390 thousand use bank cards. Only 1,000 out of 80,000 socially disadvantaged pensioners use bank cards,” Labor and Social Affairs Minister Narek Mkrtchyan said today.

According to him after July 1, when the decision comes into force, the number of bank card holders is expected to rise. There are currently 17 commercial banks in Armenia. -0-

Pashinyan, Raisi discuss opening of regional communications

Tatoyan Vazgen
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 10:29

 1 minute read

During a phone conversation on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan briefed Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on his recent meeting in Brussels with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the EU Council Charles Michel.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the opening of regional communications, the launching of delimitation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the prospects for normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Issues on bilateral agenda were also discussed. Special attention was paid to the issues related to the construction of the third Armenia-Iran power line, the North-South highway, and the energy sector. The interlocutors reaffirmed the invitations to each other to pay an official visit and agreed to pay reciprocal visits to the capitals of the two countries.

Iran attaches importance to good-neighborly relations with Armenia

Bedik Zaminian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 11:14

 1 minute read

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told his Armenian counterpart that Iran considers Armenia a friendly and close country and attaches importance to good-neighborly relations with Armenia.

Speaking in a phone call with the President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan on Thursday, Raisi described the continuous consultations between Iran and Armenia a sign of the importance and depth of friendly relations between the two countries.

“Protecting the geopolitics of the region, including international borders, respecting the national sovereignty of countries, and strengthening communication infrastructure between the regions is the principle of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Iranian President added.

He also called for expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Iran and Armenia in the fields of energy and transportation, saying that these ties will strengthen peace, stability, economic and trade prosperity in the region.

“Iran supports the progress in the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he pointed out, expressing hope that the remaining issues in this regard would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the principles of international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries.

The President of Armenia, for his part, presented a report on the implemented agreements and appreciated the principled positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran on regional developments, describing Iran’s role in the region as important and effective.

Expressing his country’s interest in expanding economic, trade, political, and cultural cooperation with Iran, Khachaturyan said that the regular meetings of the joint commission on economic cooperation between the two countries will definitely facilitate and accelerate the expansion of relations between Iran and Armenia.

He also welcomed the holding of the 3+3 summit in Tehran as soon as possible.

Greek Deputy Defense Minister visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 14:41

 

The delegation of the Ministry of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic headed by the Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial today.

The guests were greeted by Lusine Abrahamyan, Deputy Director for Museum Works of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, who presented the history of the memorial.

Nikos Hardalias laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, then the guests laid flowers at the eternal flame and observed a moment of silence in memory of the consecrated martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

The guests toured the Armenian Genocide Museum, got acquainted with the permanent temporary exhibitions, after which the Deputy Defense Minister made a note in the Book of Honorary Guests.


Armenia continues to prioritize the rights and security of compatriots living in Artsakh – Armen Grigoryan

Hambik Zargarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 16:22

 1 minute read

Armenia continues to prioritize the security and rights of compatriots living in Artsakh, and the status should derive from this, Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen Grigoryan told reporters today.

“We are confident that the rights and security will determine the status, and we’ll continue to work in this direction,” Grigoryan said.

He said the statements made by Armenia after the trilateral meeting Brussels fully comply with the process.

“We try to be as transparent as possible and inform the public of what has been discussed,” he said.

The Secretary noted that negotiations are taking place also because there are disagreements. “We hope that it is possible to overcome these disagreements through negotiations,” he said.

As for the statements from Azerbaijan that do not correspond to the agenda of discussions, Armen Grigoryan said Armenia raises the issue during contacts with colleagues in Brussels.

Syria’s new Ambassador hands copies of credentials to Armenian Foreign Minister

Maghakian Mike
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 16:53

 Less than a minute

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Republic of Armenia Nora Arisian handed the copies of her credentials to Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan.

Minister Mirzoyan congratulated Nora Arisian and expressed confidence that her diplomatic activity will serve the continuous development of the Armenian-Syrian relations and the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The interlocutors hailed the traditional, friendly ties between the two peoples based on mutual sympathy and trust. In this regard, the role of the Syrian-Armenian community was emphasized.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Syria, the parties touched upon the prospects of strengthening the Armenian-Syrian cooperation in bilateral and multilateral dimensions.

Asian Development Bank interested in expanding cooperation with Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – June 2 2022
June 2, 2022, 18:37

 Less than a minute

President Vahagn Khachaturyan received Vice President of the Asian Development Bank Shixin Chen.

Welcoming the guest, President Khachaturyan noted that the Asian Development Bank is one of Armenia’s key partners and has made a significant contribution to the implementation of reforms in the fields of socio-economic development, infrastructure programs, education, healthcare and high technologies in our country since 2005.

The President noted that the support of the Asian Development Bank is highly appreciated not only by the Armenian government, but also by the citizens.

Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank Sheikhin Chen noted that Armenia is a reliable partner and the bank is ready to expand the scope of programs implemented with Armenia.

Complaints to Armenian HRD’s office over children’s rights increased in 2021

Jirair Kafian
Panorama
Armenia – June 2 2022

The office of Armenia’s human rights defender (HRD) received grants worth 22.9 million drams (about $51,000) in 2021, Ombudsperson Kristine Grigoryan said at budget discussions in the parliament on Thursday.

One of the programs is being implemented with funds allocated by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry to the HRD’s office. The agreement was signed in 2019, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war, it was postponed until 2021, Grigoryan said.

The program is more than 90 percent implemented, she added.

The other program is funded by the UN and is aimed at developing the capacity of the ombudsperson’s office, Grigoryan said, adding the program is over 80% implemented.

Separately, she said that in 2021 the ombudsperson’s staff visited about 200 children, informing them about their rights.

Complaints to the office concerning children’s rights increased by 154 to 904 last year, the defender said.

Meanwhile, complaints from people with disabilities increased by 251. In addition, the HRD’s office hotline received 14,124 calls in 2021, a 20% increase from 2020.