Author: Antranik Varosian

 14:40, 7 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan claims that the video recording showing him at an event discussing the Armenian prisoners of war is edited.

“The material is edited. I was speaking about the negotiations, about the state’s position in various situations. And I very much regret that our countrymen, who introduce themselves as supporters and request to ask a few questions, and I answer their questions, but then I notice that a young woman was pointing her phone at me. I asked not to be recorded because we were engaged in a conversation which I didn’t want to be public, and I don’t see a need for that,” Simonyan said, adding that he was assured that he wasn’t being filmed.

He warned that people who do such things must realize the criminal responsibility in their actions.

In the video Simonyan is seen talking about the Armenian POWs held in Azerbaijan. At one point in the video he says “the captives are those who laid down their weapons, fled and got lost,” and that “I consider that the captives are no more, they [don’t exist for me]”.

Asked to comment on what he said in the video, Simonyan told reporters that all troops who have laid down their weapons and surrendered into captivity will be investigated under criminal cases.

“Criminal cases will be initiated against all those servicemen who’ve laid down their weapons and surrendered into captivity, and if the investigations will reveal that they indeed did that. That’s not what I am saying, that is the requirement of the law,” Simonyan said.

The Speaker noted that there are numerous “hero men” in the Armenian military, describing them as the nation’s “pride”, but at the same time he said that there are some soldiers and officers who have failed to perform their duties and thus appeared in captivity.

He reiterated that the issue of POWs is always raised in the negotiations.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:40,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The delegation of the Yerevan City Hall led by Mayor Hayk Marutyan will pay a three-day official visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, from November 29 to December 1, at the invitation of Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, the Yerevan City Hall’s press service reports.

During the visit Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan will have a meeting with the St. Petersburg Governor.

A cooperation “roadmap” will be signed between the two cities for 2021-2025.

The delegation of the Yerevan Mayor will also visit several structures of the city economy management.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Post-war situation touched upon at the meeting of the Armenian, Greek MPs

 19:41,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The members of the Armenia-Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group Vladimir Vardanyan, Arusyak Julhakyan and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on European Integration Arman Yeghoyan on November 29 met with the Chairman of the Greece-Armenia Friendship Group of the Greek Parliament Dimitrios Markopoulos and the members of the delegation headed by him, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia.

Welcoming the guests, the Armenian parliamentarians highly appreciated the Armenian-Greek relations, highlighted the further development of the cooperation between the two parliaments and the close collaboration of the friendship groups. From the point of view of strengthening the inter-parliamentary cooperation, the joint work in the international parliamentary structures was highlighted.

Arman Yeghoyan assessed the implementation of the EU-funded Twinning Program “Strengthening of Capacity of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia to Further Support the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement’s Oversight and Implementation “, which was entrusted to the Greek and Italian parliaments. The chairman of the committee noted that this program is being implemented for the first time for the National Assembly and has a great role in developing the capacity of the parliament. The parties expressed confidence that through the implementation of the program, the ties between the two parliaments will be further strengthened.

The interlocutors praised the implementation of the oversight and representational functions of the parliaments. The legislators also spoke about the centuries-old friendship and common challenges of the Armenian and Greek peoples.

The post-war situation was touched upon, and the establishment of security and stability in the region was highlighted.

The MPs also stressed the need to develop cooperation in the spheres of economy and tourism.

 17:11, 26 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Stanislav Zas sent a congratulatory letter to Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan on appointment, the ministry told Armenpress.

“Dear Mr. Papikyan,

Accept my sincere congratulations on your appointment as the Defense Minister of Armenia.

The trust of the Armenian authorities to you shows the appreciation of your capacities, professional achievements, deep knowledge and acquired practical experience in the governance field.

The Armed Forces of Armenia are a key factor for ensuring the country’s security and state sovereignty, as well as an important link in the CSTO collective security system.

Dear Mr. Papikyan, I wish you health and success during your responsible activity aimed at strengthening the Armenian Armed Forces and developing the military cooperation within the CSTO”, reads the letter.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:43, 26 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 26 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 November, USD exchange rate up by 2.85 drams to 483.07 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 5.23 drams to 544.18 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 6.38 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.83 drams to 643.16 drams.

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

Gold price up by 258.02 drams to 27771.86 drams. Silver price up by 5.18 drams to 367.93 drams. Platinum price up by 244.93 drams to 15344.69 drams.