Author: Kalantarian Kevo

 16:30, 24 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The EU-mediated meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Brussels further develops the November 26 Sochi trilateral agreements, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press conference.

She said that substantial discussions of these agreements continue in the trilateral task force co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

“The entire complex of issues relating to the unblocking of transport and economic connections in South Caucasus, including the restoration of both railway and road connection is being discussed within the framework of this mechanism,” Zakharova said.

She added that work is underway to create the commission for the delimitation and demarcation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with consultative support from Russia.

“Moscow welcomes international efforts aimed at the normalization of bilateral relations. But in this case it is very important to take into account regional realities, and consent of Yerevan and Baku,” Zakharova said.

 11:33,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. During the Brussels meeting, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed the agreement and decision on constructing the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway.

Speaking at the December 16 Cabinet meeting, the Armenian Prime Minister said that this agreement was reached as a result of the discussions of the trilateral (Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan) task force dealing with the opening of regional connections.

PM Pashinyan reminded that the agreement was recorded in the November 26 Sochi meeting mediated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that this was recorded during the Brussels meeting mediated by the President of the European Council Charles Michel.

“I am underscoring that the railway will function in accordance to internationally accepted border and customs regulations on reciprocal principle, under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries. With this railway Armenia will receive access to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, while Azerbaijan will receive railway access to Nakhijevan,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan highlighted that if Armenia succeeds in starting some dialogue with Turkey and if the opening of border and connections is successfully achieved then this project could become more major, reminding the Yeraskh-Gyumri-Kars railway.

“Of course, before the construction itself there’s a lot to be done, to develop, announce tenders, to reach agreements. Of course, a part of this work is already done, but now we must solve this objective with practical and daily work. Certainly, we will hold narrow-format consultations in the next days to further specify our ideas, the timeframes and the roadmap. Our intention and desire is to have this railway as soon as possible. I wouldn’t want to overestimate the importance of this agreement and project, but on the other hand I don’t want to underestimate it: this is an important agreement, which, I certainly hope we will implement accurately, and which will significantly change the region’s economic, investment, political and security environment, and we must soon focus on solving this issue as well,” Pashinyan said.

 20:08,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the first meeting aimed at establishing a regional consultative platform was held in Moscow on December 10, with the participation of representatives of Armenia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the scope of possible regional cooperation was discussed at the meeting, which included issues related to the economy, transport, culture and humanitarian spheres.

Deputy Foreign Minister Vahe Gorgyan reaffirmed the position of the Armenian side that the agenda of the regional consultative platform should be aimed at forming a mutually beneficial agenda of regional cooperation, refraining from replication of activities of other international platforms, including those with conflict resolution mandates.

An agreement was reached to continue the consultations based on the respect of the rights of all countries in the region.

 11:01, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is extending the timeframes of the VAT priviledges for electric cars until 2024.

The Deputy Minister of Environment Gayane Gabrielyan told lawmakers that the bill on amending the tax code will extend the timeframes of the current privileges granted for the import or alienation of electric vehicles.

The opposition Hayastan faction MP Hripsime Stambulyan reminded that the law was developed by the former government and expressed satisfaction that the incumbent authorities are also approving it.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:41, 9 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan denies media reports which claimed that a Russian military task force charged with the delimitation and demarcation issues has arrived in Armenia.

“Different groups can regularly arrive from Moscow to discuss their issues. Don’t forget that we have a Russian military base here. But no team has arrived from Moscow for the delimitation and demarcation,” he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan