Author: Emil Lazarian

 17:00,

YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian banking system has no problems regarding foreign payments, Central Bank Governor Martin Galstyan said at a press conference when asked whether or not Armenian banks were impacted after Russia was banned from SWIFT.

During his previous press briefing, when Galstyan was asked about the possible effects on Armenia if Russia were to be disconnected from SWIFT, the cenbank governor said the effect would be “heavy”. However, now he argues that afterwards the cenbank implemented some works. “I think we were right to be proactive in this matter. As of this moment, fortunately, the Armenian banking system has no problems with foreign payments,” Galstyan said.

According to estimates of the Armenian cenbank, Russia’s economy will decline 6%, which would in turn have significant effect on Armenia.

 20:40,

YEREVAN, 15 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that it is necessary to accept the fact that Kyiv can’t become a member of NATO. As ARMENPRESS reports TASS informs citing the statement of Zelensky at the meeting of heads of member states of expedition forces.

“It is understandable that Ukraine is not a member of NATO. We understand that and we are reasonable people. For years we listened about the so-called open doors but today we also listened that we will not enter NATO. It is right and it should be accepted”, he said.

The President of Ukraine said that new formats of partnership with western countries is necessary for Kyiv and separate security guarantees.

“We emphasize that for us new formats of partnership, new determination is necessary. If we can’t enter NATO with open doors, then we should work with bodies, with which we can and which will help to defend us, such as you are”, he said.

 11:13,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. 17 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed over the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 422,021, the Armenian Ministry of Healthcare said.

4 people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the death toll to 8576.

166 people recovered (total recoveries: 408,562).

1432 tests were administered (total tests: 2,936,474).

As of March 14 the number of active cases stood at 3246.

 21:37,

YEREVAN, 14 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The interlocutors touched upon the issues on the US-Armenian agenda, attached importance to ensuring the continuity of the strategic dialogue in order to develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in various spheres. The Prime Minister thanked the American side for its consistent support to Armenia in the democratic reforms, stressed that the further strengthening of democracy is the absolute priority of the Armenian Government, and that our country will resolutely continue to move in that direction.

Nikol Pashinyan and Antony Blinken referred to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus, the situation around Nagorno Karabakh and the escalating tensions.

The parties stressed the need for stability and peace in the region, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, which will contribute to the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the US Secretary of State exchanged views on the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the chances for unblocking communications in the region, as well as the ongoing dialogue between Armenia and Turkey.

The sides also referred to the processes taking place in the international arena, including the situation in Ukraine.

 13:25,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan continues to spread disinformation with the purpose of causing panic among the population of Artsakh, the Office of the Security Council of Artsakh warned in a statement.

“We inform that the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh is fulfilling its objectives in accordance with the previously approved plans. The Defense Army is closely following all movements of the Azerbaijani side, and the reports on buildups at the entire length of the line of contact are false. We are again urging the public to refrain from spreading disinformation and follow only official news,” the Office of the Security Council said.

 15:32,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. A court of appeals granted arms dealer Davit Galstyan 50,000,000 dram bail for his release from pre-trial detention, his lawyer Armen Andrikyan said.

Andrikyan added that they are now dealing with procedural matters and then Galstyan will be released from jail.

Davit Galstyan, dubbed by the media as Patron Davo (meaning Bullet Davo), is an arms dealer who previously served as advisor to the Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan during the latter’s tenure.

Galstyan was jailed in February 2021.

Galstyan is accused in supplying the Armenian military with poor-quality artillery shells unfit for combat, and embezzling 1 million dollars. The deal in question was made between Galstyan’s Mosston Engineering and the Armenian Defense Ministry in 2018.

Back in February, Galstyan denied wrongdoing and claimed that the supplies were actually done as required by the contract.

 17:25,

YEREVAN, 14 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 14 March, USD exchange rate down by 3.31 drams to 514.97 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.51 drams to 564.56 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.11 drams to 4.66 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 6.60 drams to 671.52 drams.

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

Gold price down by 508.84 drams to 32760.68 drams. Silver price down by 7.56 drams to 424.76 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

 19:55,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Moscow on March 15, ARMENPRESS reports the Russian Foreign Ministry informs. The parties will discuss the situation with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program and the developments in Ukraine.

“The Ministers will pay special attention to the situation over the Comprehensive Joint Action Plan on the Iranian nuclear program in the context of the completed negotiations in Vienna. The situation in Ukraine in the context of the special operations by the Russian Armed Forces will be addressed,” the statement said.