13:38,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. Firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire that broke out in the Central Military Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, RIA Novosti reports.
The hospital staff and patients have been evacuated on time.
No casualties have been reported.
14:14,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. Iran’s export to Armenia has increased by 37% compared to the same period of the previous year, Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri said, IRNA reports.
During the meeting with the trade delegation of Zanjan province, the Ambassador called Armenia a secure and reliable communication bridge for establishing trade relations with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU).
He said that Armenia’s privileged tariff for export of 6000, 7000 goods to the EAEU states will enable Iranian businessmen to be present in these markets.
Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri informed that several important projects are on the inter-state agenda of Iran and Armenia. “As of now, the export volume from Iran to Armenia has reached 560 million dollars, and we plan to increase it up to 1 billion dollars”, the Ambassador added.
14:24,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the PM’s Office said.
The letter reads:
“Dear Mr. President,
Accept my sincere congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This significant period in the centuries-old history of the friendship between the peoples of our countries has become a starting point for building qualitatively new inter-state relations, in the frames of which all conditions and mechanisms have been created aimed at ensuring the promotion of the bilateral partnership both in bilateral and multilateral formats.
I am convinced that the active dialogue at the highest level, the ongoing joint consistent activities within parliaments and intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, the intensification of cultural and humanitarian contacts will, undoubtedly, open new horizons for exercising the potential of the Armenian-Kazakh relations. This is in the interests of strengthening the friendship between our peoples, in the mutual interest of establishing regional stability and security.
Dear Mr. President,
I wish you good health and new achievements in your activities, and to the good people of Kazakhstan – peace and prosperity”.
14:54,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS.Two South Korean companies have signed a $5.76 billion contract with Poland to export tanks and howitzers, Seoul’s arms procurement agency said, Reuters reports.
The contract was signed in Poland on August 26 and is a part of the largest arms deal ever signed by South Korea.
Armenia congratulates Moldova on Independence Day
17:18,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Moldova Maia Sandu on the occasion of the national day – the Independence Day, the Presidential Office said.
“The centuries-old friendly ties between our nations, which are based on mutual respect and trust, serve as a firm base for the development of productive cooperation between Armenia and Moldova”, the Armenian President said in his letter.
12:23,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to New York Sept. 18-20 to participate in a session of the United Nations General Assembly, Reuters reports citing a statement from the White House.
The UNGA high-level week will start September 20.
Earlier Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as the head of the delegation to the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
14:42,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. Russia recorded 46,452 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number since March 12, TASS reported citing the anti-coronavirus crisis.
The total number of cases has reached 19,311,973.
As many as 3,912 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, down from 3,936 the day before. Hospitalizations declined in 35 regions of the country and rose in 45 regions.
Moscow’s COVID-19 cases surged by 7,602 to 2,997,659 in the past day and St. Petersburg’s cases increased by 4,435 to 1,639,356.
Coronavirus recoveries
Russia’s coronavirus recoveries rose by 33,709 to 18,435,096 in the past 24 hours, the crisis center reported. As many as 30,775 recoveries were confirmed on Thursday. Recoveries increased by 8,292 to 2,765,293 in Moscow and by 5,009 to 1,568,873 in St. Petersburg.
Coronavirus death toll
Russia recorded 81 coronavirus fatalities in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number since June 4. The total death toll has climbed to 383,910. Moscow’s daily coronavirus death toll was above 30 for the first time since March 20. The city’s fatalities surged by 31 to 44,986 in the past 24 hours and St. Petersburg’s COVID-19 deaths rose by 22 to 34,631.
15:52,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship has an international mandate to provide support for the lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan told ARMENPRESS, commenting on Azerbaijan’s reaction to Washington’s appointment of a new U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.
“No one cancelled this mandate,” Hunanyan added.
On August 25, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken appointed Ambassador Philip T. Reeker as Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, who will also serve as U.S. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair.
17:16,
YEREVAN, 26 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 26 August, USD exchange rate down by 0.12 drams to 404.82 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.34 drams to 405.31 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 6.74 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.18 drams to 478.94 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price up by 96.09 drams to 22822.92 drams. Silver price up by 4.16 drams to 251.52 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
18:51,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan and ADB Country Director for Armenia Paolo Spantigati discussed the progress of road construction projects implemented under the Sustainable Urban Development Investment Program. Regional specialists of the Bank also participated in the meeting.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Yerevan City Hall, referring to the joint projects of the development of urban infrastructures, the Mayor emphasized their importance and ensuring their continuity. The parties also talked about new road construction projects, in particular, attracting possible credit funds for the construction of the new road connecting Isakov and Arshakunyats avenues.
The director of the Armenian office of the Asian Development Bank, expressing his satisfaction with the results of the projects, noted that the Yerevan Municipality is one of the reliable partners of the bank, expressing readiness to support the community in implementing large-scale projects, the importance of which go beyond the capital city.