Author: Emil Lazarian

 18:04,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the  Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics, Archbishop  Raphaël Minassian.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan once again congratulated His Holiness Raphaël Bedros on the occasion of being elected the 21st Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics.

“Your Holiness,

I am glad to see you, this time in the new status, and I want to congratulate you first of all on being elected Catholicos Patriarch  of the Armenian Catholic Church. We highly appreciate the activity of the Armenian Catholic Church in preserving and developing the identity of our people. The undeniable contribution made by the representatives of the Armenian Catholic Church to the Mekhitarist Congregation and the Zmmar Congregation is widely recognized.

I am very glad that you have been elected Catholicos Patriarch  of the Armenian Catholic Church, taking into account that you have, in fact, been active in the Republic of Armenia for the last 10 years.

Of course, leading a larger diocese of the Armenian Catholic Church, but your main residence was in the Republic of Armenia, which means that you are better aware of the problems, nuances, peculiarities of Armenia. I think that your choice in this regard will further contribute to our cooperation, to making it more effective. “

Catholicos Patriarch  of Armenian Catholics said,

“Mr. Prime Minister,

I am very thankful to you for your sincere expressions, feelings, and I am deeply touched, first of all, that you were the first, even prior to the Catholics, to congratulate me on my election to this new post. I keep in my heart that, in the end, I am seen as a dear son of my nation, as you noted, and be sure, all these sacrifices that you are making are in our hearts.

We have nothing else to do but remember you in prayers, in a special way, so that the kindest God can truly support you, protect you, and lead you to good, peaceful shores. It is our wish, our dear feelings towards you, and also towards our homeland.”

The interlocutors exchanged views on preservation of the Armenian identity, strengthening of Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora unity, state-church ties, and the cooperation of the secular and spiritual authorities in this direction. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Catholicosate of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics has a great role in strengthening the spiritual values of our people, preserving the national identity and cultural heritage, and that the Armenian Government will continue to contribute to that cause.

 18:56,

YEREVAN, 27 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The issue of restoring the Southern Railway is being discussed within the framework of the trilateral working group on unblocking the transport and economic ties of the region, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said during parliament-Cabinet Q&A session, referring to the question of Artur Khachatryan from ”Armenia” faction.

”We organise the works of the trilateral working group in the framework of the January 11 statement, we do not go beyond the content of that statement”, said Grigoryan.

Referring to the possible map published by ”Komersant”, Grigoryan noticed that it referred to the option of the railway-highway passing along the southern border together. ”The railway, yes, is discussed. The issue of restoration of the Southern Railway is discussed, road – no, is not discussd because there is nothing to restore, there was no road”, said deputy Prime Minister.

He emphasised that it is about unblocking in classical sense, that is to give opportunity to all countries in the region to mutually use the existing infrastructure.

“With regards to the roads at this moment there is no consensus yet, suggestions are many, but to say that already there is a prepared map concerning highways, whether which will be used according to the priciples told by me, there is no joint statement yet, joint perception. With regards to the railway there are more common perceptions, approaches. But here I think the question is simpler.” said deputy Prime Minister.

A trilateral working group was created on unblocking th economic and transport ties of the region, Co-chaired by deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan highlights Russia’s involvement in demarcation and delimitation of Armenian- Azerbaijani border

 19:45,

YEREVAN, 27 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. There are various issues on the agenda of the Armenian Government at the moment, one of which is the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the other is the demarcation and delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at the National Assembly.

He agreed with a recent statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Armenian-Azerbaijani border issue should be settled according to Soviet-era maps, noting that these maps, if not by 100 percent, are by 99 percent the same as those described in the 2010 law on administrative division of Armenia.

“The map of the Soviet Union should be used for delimitation. Our research shows that maps of different years are reprints of each other, we need to go deeper with those maps and understand which of them have legal basis. There are certain territorial differences between those maps,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister stated that Russia, as a Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, as a mediator in this issue, should be involved.

 12:57,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The Cabinet installed Razmik Petrosyan as the new Governor of Aragatsotn after Davit Gevorgyan stepped down.

PM Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Petrosyan on assuming office and also thanked Gevorgyan for the work he’s done.

Governor Razmik Petrosyan thanked for the trust and assured that he’ll try to justify all expectations.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 14:45,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The Yerevan Armenian-Russian University opened a Confucius Auditorium on October 28.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Ambassador of China to Armenia Fan Yong expressed hope that the center will enable Armenian students to obtain deeper knowledge on the path of studying Chinese, and will contribute to the development of the Armenian-Chinese cooperation and bilateral relations.

Recalling the words of Armenian and Chinese leaders that the good relations between Armenia and China are linked with the friendship between the two peoples, the ambassador stressed that what matters in these relations is the “connection of people’s hearts”.

The Confucius Auditorium – named after the prominent Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE) can give the chance to better get to know the culture and language of China, and to deepen economic skills and mutual interest for China and Armenia, Ambassador Fan Yong said.

He added that he sees more and more young Armenians displaying interest for China and its culture, and hoped that the partnership between the embassy and the university will result in creating more opportunities for students to explore China.

In turn, the Rector of the Armenian-Russian University Armen Gharbinyan noted that the Confucius center was opened within the framework of the long-lasting, practical and fruitful cooperation between his university, the Chinese government and the Chinese embassy. He thanked the ambassador and the Chinese government in his remarks.

The Armenian-Russian University is the only university in Armenia conducting academic educational programs in Chinese studies.

The rector said that their experts on China are working already even in China and are greatly respected in their field.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:44,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Israeli authorities have upheld Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov’s initiative to grant entry to foreign tourists inoculated with Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine starting on November 15, an Israeli government source told TASS. 

“A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett upheld Tourism Minister Razvozov’s initiative to grant entry to tourists vaccinated with Sputnik V”, the source said. “The decision on Sputnik V is yet to be approved by the cabinet”, he added.

According to the source, if Israel’s government approves the move, tourists “fully vaccinated with Sputnik V” will be allowed to enter the country starting on November 15, provided they receive the second vaccine dose “no later than six months before the trip”. Travelers will also need to do a PCR coronavirus test and a serological test at the airport upon arrival in Israel.

 14:13,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Governor of Aragatsotn Davit Gevorgyan tendered his resignation, his deputy Tigran Yeghiazaryan told ARMENPRESS.

Yeghiazaryan did not comment further and said that Gevorgyan will issue a statement.

Gevorgyan was serving as governor of Aragatsotn since October 2018.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan