Month: December 2023

 16:44,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Today marks 365 days since India assumed the G20 Presidency. It is a moment to reflect, recommit, and rejuvenate the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’

As we undertook this responsibility last year, the global landscape grappled with multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, looming climate threats, financial instability, and debt distress in developing nations, all amid declining multilateralism. In the midst of conflicts and competition, development cooperation suffered, impeding progress.

Assuming the G20 Chair, India sought to offer the world an alternative to status quo, a shift from a GDP-centric to human-centric progress. India aimed to remind the world of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Finally, the global conversation had to evolve – the interests of the few had to give way to the aspirations of the many. This required a fundamental reform of multilateralism as we knew it.

Inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive—these four words defined our approach as G20 president, and the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration (NDLD), unanimously adopted by all G20 members, is testimony to our commitment to deliver on these principles.

Inclusivity has been at the heart of our presidency. The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 integrated 55 African nations into the forum, expanding it to encompass 80% of the global population. This proactive stance has fostered a more comprehensive dialogue on global challenges and opportunities.

The first-of-its-kind 'Voice of the Global South Summit,' convened by India in two editions, heralded a new dawn of multilateralism. India mainstreamed the Global South's concerns in international discourse and has ushered in an era where developing countries take their rightful place in shaping the global narrative.

Inclusivity also infused India’s domestic approach to G20, making it a People’s Presidency that befits that world’s largest democracy. Through "Jan Bhagidari" (people's participation) events, G20 reached 1.4 billion citizens, involving all states and Union Territories (UTs) as partners. And on substantive elements, India ensured that international attention was directed to broader developmental aims, aligning with G20's mandate.

At the critical midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, India delivered the G20 2023 Action Plan to Accelerate Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), taking a cross-cutting, action-oriented approach to interconnected issues, including health, education, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

A key area driving this progress is robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Here, India was decisive in its recommendations, having witnessed the revolutionary impact of digital innovations like Aadhaar, UPI, and Digilocker first-hand. Through G20, we successfully completed the Digital Public Infrastructure Repository, a significant stride in global technological collaboration. This repository, featuring over 50 DPIs from 16 countries, will help the Global South build, adopt, and scale DPI to unlock the power of inclusive growth.

For our One Earth, we introduced ambitious and inclusive aims to create urgent, lasting, and equitable change. The Declaration’s ‘Green Development Pact' addresses the challenges of choosing between combating hunger and protecting the planet, by outlining a comprehensive roadmap where employment and ecosystems are complimentary, consumption is climate conscious, and production is planet-friendly. In tandem, the G20 Declaration calls for an ambitious tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Coupled with the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance and a concerted push for Green Hydrogen, the G20’s ambitions to build a cleaner, greener world is undeniable. This has always been India’s ethos, and through Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE), the world can benefit from our age-old sustainable traditions.

Further, the Declaration underscores our commitment to climate justice and equity, urging substantial financial and technological support from the Global North. For the first time, there was a recognition of the quantum jump needed in the magnitude of development financing, moving from billions to trillions of dollars. G20 acknowledged that developing countries require $5.9 trillion to fulfil their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030.

Given the monumental resources required, G20 emphasised the importance of better, larger, and more effective Multilateral Development Banks. Concurrently, India is taking a leading role in UN reforms, especially in the restructuring of principal organs like the UN Security Council, that will ensure a more equitable global order.

Gender equality took centre stage in the Declaration, culminating in the formation of a dedicated Working Group on the Empowerment of Women next year. India’s Women's Reservation Bill 2023, reserving one-third of India’s Parliament and state legislative assembly seats for women epitomizes our commitment to women-led development.

The New Delhi Declaration embodies a renewed spirit of collaboration across these key priorities, focusing on policy coherence, reliable trade, and ambitious climate action. It is a matter of pride that during our Presidency, G20 achieved 87 outcomes and 118 adopted documents, a marked rise from the past.

During our G20 Presidency, India led deliberations on geopolitical issues and their impact on economic growth and development. Terrorism and the senseless killing of civilians is unacceptable, and we must address it with a policy of zero-tolerance. We must embody humanitarianism over hostility and reiterate that this is not an era of war.

I am delighted that during our Presidency India achieved the extraordinary: it revitalised multilateralism, amplified the voice of the Global South, championed development, and fought for the empowerment of women, everywhere.

As we hand over the G20 Presidency to Brazil, we do so with the conviction that our collective steps for people, planet, peace, and prosperity, will resonate for years to come.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

 18:58,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan on Thursday received the delegation headed by Lionel Rapaille, director of expansion and neighborhood affairs of the European Investment Bank. 

Maciej Czura, Head of European Investment Bank (EIB) Regional Representation for the South Caucasus also attended the meeting.

As the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office said, welcoming the guests, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored the framework of cooperation established with the European Investment Bank and emphasized ongoing commitment to strengthen and expand that collaboration.

According to the source, Tigran Khachatryan provided a comprehensive overview of current macroeconomic indicators and highlighted economic policy priorities.

During the meeting the parties also touched upon the possible support tools needed to ensure long term stable living conditions for the Armenian population displaced from Nagorno Karabakh, emphasizing the need for cooperation in the mentioned directions.

It is noted that various aspects of bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting, encompassing collaboration in areas such as energy, transport, water supply, urban development, and infrastructure development.

 16:34,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Chairmanship supports peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani has said.

“The Chairmanship supports the continuation of the political process aimed at achieving a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” TASS news agency quoted Osmani as saying at the 30^th OSCE Ministerial Council.

He added that the organization offers a platform for “constructive dialogue”.

 17:20,

YEREVAN, 30 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 30 November, USD exchange rate up by 0.15 drams to 402.65 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.29 drams to 439.49 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.54 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.50 drams to 509.03 drams.

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

Gold price up by 285.50 drams to 26498.78 drams. Silver price up by 4.19 drams to 323.18 drams.

 15:39,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. On November 30, the fifth meeting of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held on the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, the foreign ministry said.

The sides continued the discussion of border delimitation issues and touched upon a number of organizational and procedural issues.

The parties have reached preliminary agreement on the text of the Order for organization and conduct of sittings and joint working meetings of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia.

The sides have arranged to commence the elaborations to agree upon the draft Regulation on joint activity of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, as well as agreed to intensify the conduct of meetings between the Commissions.

The sides agreed to set the date and the place of the next meeting of the commissions in working order.

 19:39,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Gevorg Papoyan, Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs Gevorg Papoyan and Vahe Ghalumyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection will visit the USA on a working visit to participate in the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum.

The forum will be held in Washington from December 6-9.

 16:06,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The actual number of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan is a lot higher than Baku has officially acknowledged, prominent lawyer and international law expert Siranush Sahakyan has said.

Azerbaijan has so far officially confirmed that it holds 55 Armenians captive. These captives are civilians, POWs, and political prisoners, Sahakyan said at a press conference on November 30.

According to Sahakyan, this figure includes 6 civilians, 41 prisoners of war and 8 high-ranking ex-politicians and ex-military officials, who are considered to be political prisoners. “But this is just the number of officialized captives,” Sahakyan said, adding that Azerbaijan is actually holding at least 80 more Armenians captive, both civilians and POWs, and hasn’t officially confirmed this.

 21:07,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made a speech at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council, stating that Armenia remains committed to the opening of a new era of peace in the South Caucasus and believes that it is still possible. Making that opportunity a reality requires both Azerbaijan's genuine engagement and international actors' strong support for Armenia's efforts, which are based on well-developed and well-known principles.

In his speech the Foreign Minister thanked  the North-Macedonian OSCE Chairmanship for leading this organization during the last year, the foreign ministry said.

“Indeed, it was not an easy task, as the OSCE which still remains the biggest security organization in the world, is rapidly declining as once duly adopted and well elaborated mandates and commitments are totally disregarded.

This process started several years ago when the OSCE failed to implement its core tasks – early warning and conflict prevention. Unfortunately, this process will continue unless there is no common understanding that violation of international law in any part of the world shall be unequivocally condemned and not tolerated, otherwise it creates a sense of impunity becoming the new normal in other parts of the world. Regrettably, the OSCE area of responsibility is not an exclusion, ” noted Ararat Mirzoyan.

The Foreign Minister noted that in the South Caucasus the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the root causes of which was hatred and xenophobia in its various forms and the existential threat to the people who wanted to live in freedom and dignity in their ancestral homeland, reached its final stage this year.

“After a nine-month long inhuman siege, on September 19 Azerbaijan launched yet another large-scale military offensive against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh which resulted in mass forced displacement of its indigenous population. At this point in time, we can state that in silent agreement of the international community Azerbaijan has reached its long-standing goal – to get the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh without its Armenian population.

However, even after having this done the claims of the Azerbaijani side were not halted. Now the entire sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia has become the target of our neighbor.

This, coupled with continuous hatred, military rhetoric, use of force and threats of use of force, refusal to come to the meetings organized by various international actors, including the US and the EU, illustrates that this country is not sincerely interested in peace and stability in our region,’’ said FM Mirzoyan and added: “Despite this humanitarian disaster in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia remains committed to opening a new era of peace in the South Caucasus and believes that it is still possible. For turning this possibility into a reality, we need reciprocally genuine engagement of Azerbaijan and the strong support of international actors to our efforts, which are based on well elaborated and well-known principles. These principles that were widely discussed and admitted or at least not rejected by the Azerbaijani side include:

• mutual recognition of territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration and without any further ambiguity,
• delimitation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the freshest and legitimate maps – USSR General Staff maps of 1974-1978,
• opening of all transport and economic communications with full respect of the countries’ sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as based on the principles of equality and reciprocity.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armenian side to the above-mentioned principles, which demonstrating its readiness to embark upon practical steps, has recently presented the concept of a connectivity project which we called “Crossroads of Peace”.

 “This ambitious project is aimed at connecting East with West and North with South and through regional cooperation create conditions for strengthening economic and cultural ties, soften contradictions and foster better connectivity and political dialogue between the countries of our region. 

In this regard the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border is also of crucial importance. As you might be aware, we have reached the agreement to open the land border for 3rd country citizens and Armenian and Turkish citizens holding diplomatic passports, which was reconfirmed by my counterpart, Minister Fidan at our bilateral meeting on October 23; even concrete timing was indicated meaning upcoming weeks, and we hope that in the nearest future we will implement this first, but quite tangible step. 

There are also a number of humanitarian issues on Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization that cannot be ignored. The release of all Armenian detainees, including the ones imprisoned after September 19, cooperation in addressing the fate of missing persons, protection of Armenian cultural property in and around Nagorno-Karabakh can pave a way to long-lasting, just and dignified peace,” Foreign Minister said.

In conclusion, FM Mirzoyan noted that Armenia as a responsible member of OSCE has proved on numerous occasions its devotion to regional and global peace and will continue to take steps to that end.

“And once again, I reiterate that Armenia remains ready for negotiations and we need Azerbaijan to stop rejecting the proposals of facilitators to meet and finalize the peace treaty. To ensure this goal we need genuine efforts of all interested parties and the international community as a whole to turn the page of violence in the South Caucasus and strengthen international rule-based order,” concluded Foreign Minister Mirzoyan.