Author: Ophelia Vardapetian

Pashinyan-Putin meeting kicks off in St. Petersburg

Ophelia Vardapetian

Pashinyan-Putin meeting kicks off in St. Petersburg

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19:10, 6 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. The meeting between Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin has kicked off in Konstantinovsky Palace, St. Petersburg city, Russia. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports Putin said after shaking hands and being photographed, “I am very glad to welcome you once again, this time in St. Petersburg. The economic forum of St. Petersburg is a good platform for meeting with partners and discussing economic issues. There is no need to discuss bilateral issues, since we do it regularly. Russia is a leading partner for Armenia in terms of trade and many other directions, which shows the good relations between the two countries”.

Nikol Pashinyan told Vladimir Putin that he is also glad for the meeting. “I am very glad to meet you again in St. Petersburg. Last time we met in Nur-Sultan, while we first met a year ago and we had numerous meetings during this one year. Our relations develop steadily. We have not only active bilateral cooperation, but also in the sidelines of the EAEU, CIS and CSTO. I am very glad we have the opportunity to fully develop our relations in the these directions. The economic growth of our country amounted to 9.2% in April. This is a good index not only for Armenia, but also for the EAEU, since our economic achievements are mainly conditioned by our cooperation in the sidelines of the EAEU. This year we have recorded also a significant rise in the visits of Russian tourists to Armenia. Today the Russian language can be heard in any touristic circle. I ask Russian tourists how they feel in Armenia, and they answer that they feel good in Armenia, and it’s obvious that more and more tourists come to Armenia and such interactions can foster the development of our political and economic relations”, Pashinyan said.

On June 6-7, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Saint Petersburg on a working visit to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum where he will deliver a speech. Within the framework of the visit, Prime Minister Pashinyan will meet with leaders of different countries, representatives of governments and heads of international organizations. Nikol Pashinyan will meet with the representatives of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg and will give a press conference.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Nikol Pashinyan, Perch Sedrakian discuss process of AGBU’s programs and planned initiatives

Ophelia Vardapetian

Nikol Pashinyan, Perch Sedrakian discuss process of AGBU’s programs and planned initiatives

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19:11, 5 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received AGBU President Perch Sedrakian, head of the AGBU Armenia office Vasken Yacoubian and AGBU Armenia Executive Director Talar Kazanjian.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan highly appreciated the activities of the AGBU for fostering the spiritual, educational and cultural development of the Armenian people and expressed readiness to assist the initiatives and projects aimed at the preservation of the Armenian identity in Armenia and the Diaspora.

Perch Sedrakian noted that Armenians of the Diaspora are very enthusiastic over the positive developments in Armenia, including the development tendencies in economy and tourism. The AGBU President underlined that the projects implemented by the support of the Union are aimed at strengthening Diaspora-Motherland links and solutions of the problems facing the Diaspora. According to him, their goal is synchronization of the AGBU projects with the Government programs, which will foster the effectiveness of the projects.

During the meeting the interlocutors discussed the process of projects implemented by the AGBU in various spheres, particularly education, science, and tourism, as well as the initiatives planned for the near future.

Nikol Pashinyan and Perch Sedrakian also exchanged views on consolidating the Diaspora-Armenians on national goals, preservation of the Armenian identity and other issues.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Azerbaijani forces made nearly 220 ceasefire violations in Artsakh line of contact within a week

Ophelia Vardapetian

Azerbaijani forces made nearly 220 ceasefire violations in Artsakh line of contact within a week

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14:17, 1 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. During the period from May 26 to June 1 the Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact nearly 220 times by firing more than 3500 shots from various caliber weapons at the Armenian positions, the defense ministry of Artsakh told Armenpress.

It’s worth noting that 80 out of the aforementioned ceasefire violations occurred overnight May 31 during which the Azerbaijani side fired around 2350 shots, most of which from sniper rifles and large caliber weapons. As a result, on June 1, at 07:30, soldier of the Defense Army of Artsakh Sipan Melkonyan, born in 2000, received a fatal gunshot wound.

Artsakh’s defense ministry extends support to the family of the soldier and announces at the same time that the provocation of the Azerbaijani side will not remain without a response, adding that the consequences will be painful.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Iraq | Salih Receives Head of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Iraq and His Accompanying Delegation

Ophelia Vardapetian
U-News, Iraq


Iraq’s President Barham Salih received on Tuesday Archbishop Avak Asadourian, Head of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Iraq and his accompanying delegation, at the Presidential Office in Baghdad.

Salih indicated that the Armenians are a fundamental component of the Iraqi social fabric. 

The President lauded the Armenians’ determination to uphold their national identity and to coexist peacefully with the rest of the Iraqi communities.

He expressed His Excellency’s readiness to support their legitimate demands for a free and dignified life with the rest of the people of Iraq.

For his part, Archbishop Asadourian appreciated the President’s role in the convergence of views of all Iraqi communities and the enhancement of the spirit of national understanding. 

During the meeting, they conversed about the need for paying attention to a greater role for Armenians in the legislative and executive institutions.

– Side of the meeting

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 10-05-19

Ophelia Vardapetian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 10-05-19

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18:45,

YEREVAN, 10 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 10 May, USD exchange rate is up by 0.21 drams to 482.17 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 1.78 drams to 541.62 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is up by 0.01 drams to 7.40 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.45 drams to 627.50 drams.

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

Gold price is up by 84.61 drams to 19937.28 drams. Silver price is down by 0.06 drams to 229.74 drams. Platinum price is down by 304.16 drams to 13192.31 drams.

Former Armenian official detained in Russia

Ophelia Vardapetian
News.am, Armenia

Former Armenian official detained in Russia Former Armenian official detained in Russia

20:48, 21.04.2019
                  

Russian law enforces have detained former Armenian official who has been searched by the Armenian police.

According to the media reports, Mihran Poghosyan, former MP and chief of Compulsory Enforcement Officer of Judicial Acts, has been arrested.

Armenia’s Special Investigation Service confirmed the reports for Armenian News-NEWS.am adding that the process of extradition is in progress.

Mihran Poghosyan is involved in the headline-making case of money laundering through an offshore company.

Earlier this week the judge rendered a decision to remand Poghosyan. He has been included as an accused-on-trial for committing publicly dangerous acts (using official position, confiscating property in particularly large amounts through squander and misusing official powers, which led to heavy consequences).


It is possible that there will be inflation in 2019, which will not exceed 4% – Tigran Khachatryan (video)

Ophelia Vardapetian
  • 17:57 | March 25,2019 | Economy
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

In the National Assembly, Tigran Khachatryan, the Minister of Economic Development and Investments, said in the interview with the journalists that there is a possibility of inflation in 2019.

“Usually, there is inflation because there are limited resources in the economy, and for them there is a struggle between businesses. It requires someone to be  to pay more than he did yesterday for for the same amount of the resource. That is, the demand for this limited resource causes inflation. ”

He mentioned that the inflation will not exceed 4%.

A1+: Levon Zakaryan: We will have to rename a children’s park into a park that has been seized by adults (video)

Ophelia Vardapetian
  • 13:30 | March 22,2019 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

There are no carousels in Kirov’s children’s park, and instead of them there are unfinished buildings. And the construction has been stopped because the residents have appealed to the court.
Today, Levon Zakaryan, a member of the “My Step” council, addressed the mayor and chief architect Arthur Meschian at an extraordinary session of the council.

According to the council member, if this continues, the park will need to be renamed. “We will have to rename a children’s park into a park that has been seized by adults.”

Armenian nuclear power plant to continue running, but supplemented by new power unit

Ophelia Vardapetian
JAM News
 
 
Armenian nuclear power plant to continue running, but supplemented by new power unit
 
JAMnews, Yerevan
Artur Xachatryan
 
The authorities of the country have stated that they have no obligation to close the nuclear power station, but there is a need to find sources to replace it
 
 
Operations of nuclear power plant must be extended
 
The Metsamor nuclear power plant has been the subject of controversy for a long time.
 
Some international structures, including the European Union, insist on either the closure or modernization of the station.
 
The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement demands that Armenian close the nuclear power plant and replace it with new energy capacities. But the authorities of the country have already stated that the terms of operation will be extended because Armenia is currently unable to build a new plant or extend its existing capacity.
 
At the moment, work is underway that will prolong the safe operation of the station. However, it is unclear how long this period will be extended.
 
A new power unit will also reportedly be built and will cost Armenia $5 billion.
 
 
The nuclear power plant will close when other power sources are brought online
 
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the issue of closing the nuclear power plant is not on the agenda. The agreement with the EU, he says, does not demand the closure of the power plant:
 
“I want to state that in the Agreement on Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership, the topic of closing the nuclear power plant is linked to the creation of energy sources of adequate power. Our agenda is not the closure of nuclear power plants, but extending their capacities.”
 
The Metsamor nuclear power plant
 
Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant has remained a key link in the republic’s energy security system for more than twenty years.
It provides for about 40 per cent of the electricity generated in Armenia.
It was commissioned in 1977. After the devastating earthquake in the north of the country in 1988, the USSR Council of Ministers and the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR decided to shut down the nuclear power plant. This was due to the likelihood of repeated shocks.
However, five years later in 1993, the authorities of independent Armenia went to restart the second power unit of the station. In the absence of other real sources of electricity, it was the only way out of the energy crisis that began in the country after the collapse of the USSR and the blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Nuclear energy continues to occupy an important place in the overall energy system of the country.
 

Development of equivalent capacity is on agenda, not shutdown – PM on nuclear power plant

Ophelia Vardapetian

Development of equivalent capacity is on agenda, not shutdown – PM on nuclear power plant

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12:52,

YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. The agenda is not about closing the nuclear power station, but developing equivalent capacity, PM Nikol Pashinyan told a news conference today, addressing the terming about the Armenian NPP in CEPA signed with the EU.

“There are multiple discussions regarding the nuclear power station, for the record the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU emphasizes the topic of the nuclear power station’s closure alongside the development of equivalent capacities. Actually it is written not about the closure of the station but the development of equivalent capacity. We will extend the lifecycle of the nuclear power station as much as possible, however it is clear that it cannot work forever. I say again, the topic under discussion in our agenda isn’t the shutdown of the nuclear power station, but the development of equivalent capacity,” Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan