Month: June 2022

What will Starlink satellite internet connection give to Armenia?, clarifies High-tech ministry

 09:00,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. According to the map of Starlink satellite internet provider, Starlink internet connection will be available in Armenia in 2023.

In response to the query of ARMENPRESS what will it give to Armenia, the Ministry of High Technological Industry said that Starlink satellite internet connection could be an additional, and in some cases an alternative internet connection for Armenia. It will allow people to use internet in remote areas regardless of cable access.

“Taking into account the fact that the provision of the satellite internet is carried out through radio frequencies, some changes need to made in the table of frequency distributions and several legal acts of Armenia, by providing satellite internet users with conditions for unauthorized use of those frequencies”, the ministry said.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. SpaceX has launched about 2,500 Starlink satellites to support its global network. Starlink provides satellite internet access coverage to 34 countries.

 20:26,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Russia Nikol Pashinyan and Mikhail Mishustin took place in Minsk, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The head of the Russian Government said in his speech,

“Welcome, dear Nikol Vovaevich,

I warmly recall our meeting during your official visit. First of all, let me convey the warm greetings and best wishes of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. I would like to emphasize once again that we highly value our special relations with fraternal Armenia. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

Russia is Armenia’s main foreign trade partner and the investor in the Armenian economy. According to the results of January-April of this year, the mutual trade turnover increased by 30%, exceeding $ 890 million. I think there is still room for growth. The volume of Russian capital in the Armenian economy is more than $ 2 billion, there are opportunities to grow here as well, it will be important for Russian investors to expand their investments in Armenia.

There are major Russian companies operating in Armenia – oil and gas, transport, digital technologies, other sectors – we hope that the Armenian Government will continue to create favorable conditions for Russian companies. We are interested in expanding bilateral cooperation, launching new productions, promoting joint projects in various fields, first of all in industry, energy, transport, digitalization. These issues are in the focus of our intergovernmental commission. By the relevant decision of the Government, all restrictions on the entry of Armenian citizens to Russia by land have been lifted. We expect that in the near future the flow of tourists will be restored and will even grow further. In my opinion, this is very important for the populations of Armenia and Russia.

We also pay special attention to the unblocking of transport and economic infrastructure in the South Caucasus, in accordance with the agreement of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The practical work is being carried out within the framework of a trilateral working group co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers. Its regular session took place during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.

And today our meeting is taking place within the framework of the sitting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, Russia and Armenia are advocating strengthening of the Eurasian integration on the basis of the four freedoms: free movement of capital, labor, services, and goods. Within the framework of the Union, we are taking joint steps to reduce the impact of sanctions imposed by non-friendly countries, our decisions contribute to the stabilization of the economies of the EEU countries.

I suggest we should go through all these points, dear Nikol Vovaevich”.

In turn, Prime Minister Pashinyan said,

“Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich,

I am very glad to see you, we meet regularly. 

I also recall with warmth our last meeting in Moscow in the sidelines of my official visit. I want to emphasize that it was very effective, I want to thank you for responding quickly to all the issues that need a solution in order to maintain the high pace of our trade and economic relations.

I would especially like to emphasize the decisions you have made regarding the Upper Lars checkpoint. You know that, unfortunately, it is still the only land route that connects Armenia and Russia. There are concerns about the current economic conjuncture, with some problems arising in connection with the increase of land economic flows; the decisions you have already made and which we have already agreed on are very important. We are also talking about this with our Georgian partners so that the trade turnover between Russia and Armenia does not face artificial restrictions.

In this context, the opening of regional infrastructure, the unblocking of the whole region is very important. I would like to thank once again Alexey Overchuk and Mher Grigoryan, who are working very intensively with the Co-chair of the Republic of Azerbaijan on these issues. I hope that the work done will result in concrete decisions, as you know that the opening of economic and transport infrastructure in the region is important for all countries in the region. In the current situation, it is of special significance.

Today we will discuss not only issues on the bilateral agenda. The agenda of the Eurasian Economic Union is also very important for us. You rightly noted that both Armenia and Russia are interested in making the Eurasian Economic Union a more effective format. Of course, we are pleased with how this mechanism works, but there is always room for improvement.

I am very happy to welcome you once again, I hope we will have a meaningful conversation today.”

 17:13,

YEREVAN, 20 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 20 June, USD exchange rate down by 4.27 drams to 421.03 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.82 drams to 443.47 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 7.51 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 6.94 drams to 515.80 drams.

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

Gold price down by 47.02 drams to 24928.01 drams. Silver price up by 2.60 drams to 295.70 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

A Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV loaded with the KGK-SIHA-82 is seen in this photo provided on June 15, 2022. (DHA Photo)

The narrow-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council held in Minsk

 21:01,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took part in the narrow-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minster.

First, the Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko met with the Heads of Government of Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and then, after the video shooting ceremony, the session took place.

The Prime Ministers of the Eurasian Economic Union member states discussed issues related to the strengthening of the internal market, the development of transport infrastructure, and the regulation of customs tariffs. Reference was also made to cooperation on the digital agenda.

The expanded-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will take place on June 21.

Air-to-air missiles Bozdoğan (bottom) is seen next to Turkey’s Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle during the Teknofest aerospace and technology event, Baku Azerbaijan, May 28, 2022. (AA Photo)

 15:28,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan thinks that the Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh will be extended.

At a meeting with reporters in the permanent representation of Artsakh in Armenia, FM Babayan said that Russia bears also moral responsibility for the region.

“I think that the mission of the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh will be extended. There is just no alternative because the conflict is not resolved yet”, he said.

 09:49,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Senator Gustavo Petro, leader of the left-wing “Historic Pact” coalition, wins the second round of presidential elections in Colombia, according to the results of counting of 98.22% of ballots, reports TASS.

According to the National Civil Registry, 50.51% of voters favored Petro. His rival Rodolfo Hernandez received 47.22% of votes.

“It is a celebration for the people today. Let the people celebrate the first popular victory. Let so much experienced suffering be softened by the joy that fills the heart of the homeland,”Petro tweeted after the vote outcome was announced.

Hernandez has not yet commented on the outcome of the vote that took place Sunday.

 14:34,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. The ruling Civil Contract faction of the Armenian Parliament nominated Anna Vardapetyan’s candidacy for the position of the Prosecutor General of Armenia, the Parliament said in a statement.

Civil Contract faction head Hayk Konjoryan recently told reporters that they are going to nominate Anna Vardapetyan for the Prosecutor General of Armenia.

The term of office of the Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan ends on September 16.

The Prosecutor General of Armenia is elected by the Parliament for a 6-year term.

 16:40,

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. This year more than 250 foreigners, most of them from Ukraine, have applied for asylum and refugee status in Armenia, the Migration Service of Armenia said.

In January-March 2022, the Migration Service received applications for asylum from 13 countries of the world, including Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Lebanon, Syria, etc.

Over the past ten years Armenia has provided a refugee status to more than 1500 asylum seekers. In the past five years the Migration Service has been receiving an average of 220 applications for asylum per year.

During the 2020 war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the Migration Service collected the data of the displaced persons from Artsakh, which it processes and sends to other agencies if necessary.

The data was obtained through home visits: in Yerevan accompanied by representatives of territorial staffs of the Yerevan City Hall’s Department of Children and Social Protection, and in provinces through representatives of staffs of local self-government authorities.

Nearly 91,000 persons, 88% of whom are women and children, have been registered in the electronic database.

Housing program for refugees forcibly displaced from Azerbaijan

Based on the 2019 November 21 decision of the government, the Migration Service carries out a housing program for refugee families who were displaced from Azerbaijan in 1988-1992 and have been left without shelter for 30 years. 270 families have been provided with apartment purchase certificates – with a total cost of 3.7 billion drams. Nearly 200 of these families (around 75% of those who received apartment purchase certificates) have already purchased an apartment.

On March 10, 2022, the government of Armenia adopted the decision N283 according to which the program will start to be implemented in the provinces. According to the studies conducted in 2013, 254 families in provinces are potential program beneficiaries. Currently, a process of re-registration of potential beneficiaries living in provinces is underway.

June 20 is celebrated around the world as the World Refugee Day.