Month: December 2023
Armenian PM optimistic about peace agreement with Azerbaijan
TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (MNA) – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said a peace treaty with Azerbaijan could be signed soon if Baku reaffirms the principles coordinated between the leaders of the two South Caucasus countries.
"If Azerbaijan reaffirms the given principles, a peace agreement could be signed soon," Pashinyan said, addressing the opening ceremony for a ministerial meeting of landlocked countries, TASS reports.
The Armenian premier also mentioned Yerevan’s three key principles, namely the reopening of regional transport links while upholding the national sovereignty of the countries involved; public recognition of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan on land areas of 29,800 square km and 86,600 square km, respectively; and the delimitation of the border based on the final maps of the area published before the demise of the Soviet Union.
"Yesterday’s exchange of POWs makes us optimistic that [a] peace [agreement] could be signed soon," Pashinyan added.
On Wednesday, Armenia’s head of government wrote on his page on Facebook that Baku had handed over 32 Armenian prisoners of war to Yerevan based on a joint agreement between his government and the administration of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
SD/PR
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/209592/Armenian-PM-optimistic-about-peace-agreement-with-Azerbaijan
Armenpress: Foreign Minister Mirzoyan congratulates Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova on progress towards EU membership
00:05,
This is a historic day for the European family, for those sharing democratic principles," Mirzoyan posted on X.
On December 14, the European Council made a decision to grant Georgia the status of a candidate for EU membership, and to start negotiations on EU membership with Ukraine and Moldova.
Armenia’s Hayk Martirosyan sole leader in the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship
10:48,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Grandmaster Hayk Martirosyan is the sole leader in the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2023.
Haik Martirosyan has won the first 6 rounds of the tournament being in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
150 chess players are taking part in the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship.
The current world bronze medalist in Rapid and Blitz Chess, Hayk Martirosyan is among the top ten chess players of the tournament
The price of Russian gas for Armenia will remain unchanged in 2024 – Deputy PM Grigoryan
13:58,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The price of Russian gas for Armenia will not change in 2024. Accordingly, the tariff for consumers will remain unchanged as well, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told "Armenpress".
"As of now, we have clear information that the gas price at the border will not change in 2024. And I am confident, based on that, the tariff for consumers will stay unchanged, as well," clarified Grigoryan.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, 'Gazprom Armenia' has already signed a contract with 'Gazprom' for 2024, according to which no price changes are envisaged.
The cost of Russian gas at the border with Armenia is 165 USD per 1000 cubic meters.
Russia supports the implementation of the "Crossroads of Peace" project – Russian Deputy Prime Minister
15:21,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Federation actually supports the implementation of the 'Crossroads of Peace' project presented by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk said on December 15 at the intergovernmental session on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation.
“We actually support the implementation of the “Crossroads of the World” presented by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, financing the construction of the fourth tranche of the North-South road corridor with the funds from the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development.
The amount of support in this direction now amounts to $150 million. The decision to support the construction of the Kajaran tunnel is now at the stage of agreement between the collegial bodies of the fund. The amount of support for the tunnel will be $200 million,” Overchuk said.
Negotiations underway for the construction of nuclear power units in Armenia: Overchuk
15:31,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian and Russian parties are currently negotiating regarding the construction of new nuclear power units in Armenia, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk said on December 15 at the intergovernmental session on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation emphasized that cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy is an extremely important topic in relations between Russia and Armenia.
"We are grateful that the decision has been made to extend the term of operation of the Armenian NPP, and the Russian company has been appointed as the executor," Overchuk said.
“As for the new nuclear power units, negotiations are also underway," concluded Russian Deputy Prime Minister.
Prime Minister chairs consultation with the participation of representatives of IT companies
16:16,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. A consultation was held today chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in which representatives of about 30 large IT companies participated.
Vice President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan, Minister of High-tech Industry Robert Khachatryan, Minister of Finance Vahe Hovhannisyan and other officials also participated in the consultation, the Prime Minister's Office said in a readout.
"At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister noted that the purpose of the consultation is to understand what problems exist in the sector, to find out the effectiveness of the policies implemented by the government for the development of the sector, as well as to discuss the future tasks.
The representatives of the IT sector presented the problems solved in the sector through the programs carried out by the government, presented their ideas on improving the existing regulations, as well as suggestions for long-term solutions of the existing problems in the sector, reads the statement.
According to the source, based on the results of the discussion, the Prime Minister instructed to create a working group, to carry out follow-up work on the raised issues, to develop an effective solution model, to set a timetable and to present it at the next meeting. The Head of the Government emphasized that seeing Armenia as a technological and technologically developed country has been a strategic goal since 2018. "My message is that the government has that political will, and it is a program thesis for us," added the Prime Minister.
FM Mirzoyan, UN official exchange views on regional issues
16:29,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. On December 15, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Tatiana Molcean, UN Under Secretary-General, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the foreign ministry said in a readout.
According to the source, during the meeting, topics of cooperation between Armenia and the UN institutions, including the UN Economic Commission for Europe, and the implementation of joint projects were discussed. The possibilities of further cooperation on developing sectoral directions, including energy and infrastructure, and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals were touched upon.
Ararat Mirzoyan and Tatiana Molcean exchanged views on the regional issues as well. In the context of the peace agenda and expected economic benefits, the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Government of Armenia was touched upon.
Armenia and Russia are allies, assures Russian Deputy PM
16:34,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk at the intergovernmental session on economic cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation noted that Armenia and Russia have historical, friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect.
''We and Armenia are allies. Certainly, the high dynamics of our allied cooperation is due to intensive and reliable dialogue at the highest level,” said the Russian Deputy Prime Minister.