Author: Emil Lazarian

 17:03,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The General Manager of Yerevan’s Pyunik FC Kim Arakelyan has issued a public apology for striking a child who ran into the pitch following the club’s UEFA Champions League 1st leg of second qualifying round match against F91 Dudelange.

“I’d like to apologize for the incident that took place after the match against Dudelange. My partners who organize international matches will very well understand that these matches imply a great sense of responsibility and any violation could lead to serious consequences for the club, up to disqualification of the entire team and ban from participation in European championships.

Nevertheless, I very well realize and I bear the entire responsibility for the incident. Being devoted to Pyunik FC and our country, I couldn’t properly react and I let my emotions control me. I apologize to everyone involved and our team, because our team symbolizes only victories, history and respect,” Arakelyan said in a statement.

He added that he is willing to meet with the child and the parents and personally apologize.

Pyunik lost 1:0 to Dudelange in Yerevan.

 19:20,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. On July 19, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Paruyr Hovhannisyan received the newly appointed Ambassador of Albania Luela Hajdaraga (residence in Athens) on the occasion of handing over the copy of her credentials.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, congratulating the Ambassador on the occasion of her appointment, Deputy Foreign Minister Hovhannisyan highlighted the importance of Armenian-Albanian relations and the need to further develop them. He wished success to Ambassador Hajdaraga in her mission, expressing hope that she will give a new impetus to the bilateral cooperation with her vigorous activities.

Expressing gratitude for the reception and good wishes, Ambassador Hajdaraga assured that she will make maximum efforts to activate and promote the cooperation between Armenia and Albania.

The interlocutors referred to issues related to political dialogue, partnership in international structures, development of trade and economic relations, cooperation in educational and cultural fields, as well as the expansion of the legal framework.

 20:51,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting with the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that the relations between the two countries are developing at a good pace, ARMENPRESS reports, Ria Novosti informed.

According to him, these relations have a significant contribution to the Syrian settlement, and in terms of trade, the countries can boast of record numbers.

“We can boast of record numbers of trade growth. We are strengthening our cooperation in the field of international security, making a significant contribution to the settlement of the Syrian crisis,” Putin said during the meeting.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed hope that the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Iran will be a turning point for the development of relations between the two countries.

“I have great hope that your official visit to Iran will become a turning point for the strengthening of relations between the two countries on issues of the regional and international agenda,” Raisi said.

 21:10,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the official visit to Poland, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on July 19.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the MFA Armenia, the Ministers exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Poland, noting that the partnership of the last 30 years is a solid ground for consistent development and strengthening of interstate relations.

In this context, the Ministers expressed satisfaction with the results of the political consultations held between the Armenian and Polish Foreign Ministries on June 28 in Yerevan and expressed their belief that their continuity and frequency will best serve to the deepening of the political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

The Ministers referred to the possibilities of further expansion of Armenian-Polish cooperation, expressing readiness to take steps in the fields of trade, high and information technologies, finance and banking, justice, education, science and culture.

The interlocutors exchanged ideas on deepening cooperation in the direction of promotion of democracy, protection of human rights and strengthening the rule of law. Minister Mirzoyan presented the agenda of democratic reforms in Armenia to his colleague.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Zbigniew Rau also referred to the possibilities of developing effective cooperation between Armenia and the European Union. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the implementation of steps aimed at strengthening the inclusiveness of the Eastern Partnership program and further increasing its efficiency, emphasizing in this regard the role of Poland as the initiator country of the Eastern Partnership.

Regional and international security issues were discussed during the meeting. Minister Mirzoyan presented Armenia’s position regarding the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability.

The key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format in promoting Nagorno Karabakh peace process and normalizing relations with Azerbaijan was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his colleague Azerbaijan’s continuous provocative actions towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, belligerent and maximalist statements, stressing that similar steps undermine efforts aimed at establishing regional stability and peace.

Reference was made to the humanitarian consequences of the 44-day war, in particular, the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, as well as the prevention of the policy of destruction and distortion of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories that have passed under Azerbaijani control.

FM Mirzoyan expressed confidence that the existing mechanisms in the toolkit of the OSCE and the Institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office will contribute to opening an era of regional peace and sustainable development and strengthening the atmosphere of constructive dialogue and trust.

Putin refers to Nagorno Karabakh conflict during the meeting with Erdoğan

 21:45,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Tehran, Russian President Vladimir Putin, among other issues, also talked about the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, ARMENPRESS reports, the Kremlin’s official website informs.

“Of course, we also have another important issue under our spotlight, the settlement of the Karabakh problem. Recently, I met with the President of Azerbaijan within the framework of the Caspian Forum,” Putin said.

The parties also discussed the Syrian issue, as well as the implementation of bilateral large projects.

 14:09,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Chess grandmaster Tigran Petrosyan and international grandmaster Tigran Harutyunyan will hold simultaneous exhibition games with fans on the occasion of International Chess Day on July 20, 20:00 in Yerevan’s Cascade.

The event is organized by the Chess Federation of Armenia.