Month: November 2023

 14:41,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that Armenia paid Russia for arms supplies but the latter has failed to deliver the armaments.

The matter is being discussed, Pashinyan said.

“Of course, such problems exist. Discussions are taking place on what mechanisms to use to solve the issue. One of the options, for example, could be the reduction of Armenia’s debt to Russia in the size of the paid amount, this is one of the options, not the only option,” Pashinyan said.

 15:02,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is seemingly not interested in the Crossroads of Peace project proposed by Armenia because Baku is implementing the project on opening connections with Iran, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said in response to a question from the public.

He was asked whether there are guarantees that Armenia itself will carry out customs and border control on its territory in the event of the Crossroads of Peace project being realized.

Pashinyan stressed that one of the principles of the Crossroads of Peace project is that each country will carry out customs and border control on its territory through its institutions. 

“This is the proposal we are making to our international partners, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia. And Azerbaijan’s first reaction is the following, that they, it seems, are no longer interested in this project, because they are carrying out that connectivity project with Iran. We are absolutely not against that. But that’s our proposal. In case of accepting our proposal the project will be realized,” the PM said.

The citizen asking the question pointed out that there are Russian border guards in Armenia’s Zvartnots airport. Pashinyan said this is another matter, which has a history. “But our policy is that the level of Armenia’s sovereignty must steadily increase also institutionally. And the Crossroads of Peace is one of those cases,” he said.

The Crossroads of Peace project is about creating new infrastructures or improving the scope and quality of the existing ones. Armenia is ready to establish five checkpoints on the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders for road infrastructures including in Kayan, Sotk, near Karahunj, near Angeghakot , and Yeraskh.

Also, to establish two checkpoints on the Armenia-Turkiye border in Akhurik and Margara for road infrastructures.

Armenia is prepared to ensure communications between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, by restoring four railway sections in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Armenia is ready to restore the Nrnadzor-Agarak railway section and to establish checkpoints near the borders, to restore the railway section from Yeraskh to the border of Nakhchivan and to establish a checkpoint in Yeraskh, to restore the depleted parts of the railway from Gyumri to the border of Turkiye and to establish a checkpoint in Akhurik. Also, Armenia is prepared to restore the depleted parts of railway from Hrazdan to Kayan and to establish a checkpoint in Kayan. This will create new links between all the countries of the region. The principles of the Crossroads of Peace are: all infrastructures including roads, railways, airways, pipelines, cables and power lines operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries through which they pass; each country, through its state institutions, in its territory ensures border control, customs control and security of the infrastructures, including the passage through its territory of vehicles, cargo and people; All infrastructures can be used for both international and domestic transportation; countries use all the infrastructures on the basis of reciprocity and equality, and in accordance with these principles border and customs controls can be facilitated through mutual consent and agreement. As missing sections of railways and roads are restored and infrastructures unlocked, it will become possible to establish a seamless connection between the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea via a consolidated, regional railway network and via the North-South and East-West roads. The Government of the Republic of Armenia reaffirms its commitment to contribute its share to the region’s peace and stability, and to make practical measures to build the Crossroads of Peace

 15:48,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The issue of the return of Nagorno-Karabakh’s forcibly displaced population is currently under discussion in international platforms, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at an online Q&A with citizens.

“Having discussions regarding this topic and analyzing it, I understand that as of today that return is unrealistic. Why? Because after September 19 the situation was created which forced our brothers and sisters of Nagorno-Karabakh to leave Nagorno-Karabakh. The environment and policy of ethnic cleansing hasn’t changed. Therefore, if today in these conditions the return were to be realistic, they wouldn’t have left at all,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan reiterated his administration’s policy that the Armenian Government will do everything in order for the forcibly displaced persons of NK to stay in Armenia if they don’t have the opportunity to return home to NK.

“After the forced displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh we saw a major outflow of Nagorno-Karabakhis from Armenia. Of course we were concerned about this, but we assumed that they didn’t have the opportunity to travel for a long time and perhaps they were going to Russia, Europe or elsewhere to visit family members. And then we saw the return flow. Now I can say for the record that there is no significant outflow among our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters of Nagorno-Karabakh and I would like to express my satisfaction in this regard,” Pashinyan said.

 16:30,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed regret that Azerbaijan is using the purely humanitarian issue concerning the prisoners for political goals. He said that Azerbaijan’s actions are illogical.

Pashinyan said that the government is focused on the issue of POWs.

“We’ve expressed readiness to display flexibility in this issue as well, and to work with Azerbaijan in order for our prisoners to return. Negotiations are one way, one direction. Furthermore, we have expressed readiness to even exchange the convicted Azerbaijanis in Armenia with our prisoners under the all for all principle, considering it a purely humanitarian issue,” the Prime Minister said.

“We’ve applied to the international human rights courts and other possible legal bodies in all cases. In several cases we have rulings on indicating urgent measures from these bodies, bringing international attention on the issue. But I have to say that obviously that work can’t be considered sufficient as long as our captive brothers haven’t returned to Armenia, and we will continue to make every effort in this direction,” Pashinyan said.

 16:55,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The CSTO’s actions do not address its obligations towards Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

Pashinyan was asked at an online Q&A with the public why Armenia isn’t withdrawing from the military bloc and whether there’s lack of political will.

Pashinyan said that Armenia has political will and a decision will be made based on necessity, which will stem from Armenia’s interests.

“Why aren’t we making a decision, or are we going to make a decision on withdrawing from the CSTO or suspending our membership in the CSTO? We will decide based on Armenia’s state interests. At this moment if we have or haven’t made any decision, our guideline for orientating has been the state interest of Armenia. Our records show that the CSTO’s de-facto actions or inactions do not address its obligations towards the Republic of Armenia. In this regard the CSTO’s actions do not meet Armenia’s interests. And we have been raising this issue in a transparent manner,” Pashinyan said.

He said that Armenia wants to do everything until the last chance to fully understand the CSTO and make its stance understandable for the CSTO.

 17:07,

YEREVAN, 24 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 November, USD exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 402.18 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.44 drams to 438.74 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 4.52 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.60 drams to 505.34 drams.

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

Gold price down by 65.27 drams to 25768.32 drams. Silver price down by 2.38 drams to 305.87 drams.

 17:45,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS.  Armenia has considered and continues to consider the Russian Federation a friendly country, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said in response to a question from the public.

“As before, so now we consider Russia our friendly country. And in relations with friendly countries there are issues that need to be addressed. And we are guided by this logic. We hope and will do everything possible so that our relations with the Russian Federation are built on mutual respect, and respect for the interests, independence, and sovereignty of the parties," added Pashinyan.

 11:08,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Azerbaijan will hold a meeting on border delimitation, foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan has said.

The meeting will take place on the state border.

“According to preliminary agreement, the next meeting of the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, from the Armenian side, and the Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, from the Azerbaijani side, will take place on November 30 on the state border of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan,” Badalyan said.

 12:40,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has set a new historic record in the number of registered jobs, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

“We’ve surpassed the number of 730,000 , setting a new record in registered jobs, according to data of October 2023,” he said at the Cabinet meeting.

Pashinyan said that approximately 183,000 jobs were created during his administration since 2018.

New jobs will be created, Pashinyan said citing the economic dynamics.

He expressed hope that the economic growth dynamics will become better as a result of fully involving the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh in the job market and the economic system.

 12:11,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine has issued a statement stating that neither the company nor its shareholders are included in any sanctions list.

Below is the full statement:

"Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine" CJSC (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), established and existing under the laws of the Republic of Armenia, hereby declares that neither the Company nor its shareholders or ultimate beneficial owners are included in any sanctions lists issued by relevant sanctions authorities as of the date of this statement, and no international sanctions are applicable to the Company.

“Mr. Gleb Trotsenko, who formerly held a beneficial ownership position in the Company, no longer retains such status due to the alienation of all his indirect shares in the Company on October 27, 2023. Currently, there is no relationship between Mr. Trotsenko and the Company.

“Comprehensive information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of the Company is accessible on the official website of the State Register of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia and can be found at the following link: https://www.e-register.am/am/companies/1501219/declaration/09d58b41-5083-4abd-86c6-179b7740531d.

“Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine” CJSC remains steadfast in its commitment to transparent corporate governance, and periodic publication of UBOs declarations according to the Armenian legislation underscores the Company's continuous efforts to uphold the highest standards of business conduct.”