Author: Parkev Tvankchian

Armenpress: Armenia beat Wales 4-2 in Euro 2024 qualifier in Cardiff

Parkev Tvankchian

 00:45,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia defeated Wales 4:2 in a stunning Euro 2024 qualifer match in Cardiff.

Wales’ defeat at home was described by the BBC as a humiliation and embarrassment.

Wales’ Daniel James opened the score in the 10th minute but the Welsh fans’ excitement was silenced by a shot from Armenia’s Lucas Zelaryan 9 minutes later.

Armenia ‘s Grant-Leon Ranos brought the score to 2:1 in the 30th minute and the first half ended with Armenia in the lead. Armenia fans at the Cardiff stadium were euphoric when Ranos scored another goal in the 66th minute.

Harry Wilson hit a goal for Wales with some 20 minutes remaining, but Zelarayan’s stunning second restored Armenia’s two-goal advantage.

Wales striker Kieffer Moore got a red card for an off-the-ball clash with Armenia’s goalkeeper. Armenia won 4:2.

Vice Speaker of Parliament meets executives of foreign hotel and aviation businesses to discuss possible projects

Parkev Tvankchian

 10:51,

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. On June 15, the Vice President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan received Hossam El Shaer, Founder and Chairman of Sunrise Resorts and Cruises, Sky Max Holidays, Amr Azab, General Director Skymax Holidays and Yossi Yosef, Director of ISR Air Air Company.

Hakob Arshakyan welcomed the guests and attached importance to their visit to Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed the opportunities of construction of new hotel complexes, residential quarters and adjacent infrastructures in Armenia, Arshakyan’s office said in a readout.

In this context, the increasing flow of the tourists visiting Armenia and the foreigners moving to Armenia was taken into consideration.

The business executives said that Armenia is economically attractive for making investments.

The member of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Tsovinar Vardanyan and the Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan also attended the meeting.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 15-06-23

Parkev Tvankchian

 17:26,

YEREVAN, 15 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 15 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 386.54 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.37 drams to 419.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.62 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.93 drams to 489.67 drams.

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

Gold price up by 13.63 drams to 24305.80 drams. Silver price down by 4.58 drams to 296.09 drams.

Erdogan’s statement on opening consulate in Shushi isn’t conducive to peace and stability, says lawmaker

Parkev Tvankchian

 13:04,

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian side is expressing concern regarding Turkey’s plans on opening a consulate in Shushi and especially viewing it as a message to Armenia.

Member of Parliament Sargis Khandanyan, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Armenian Parliament, told reporters that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement on opening a consulate in Shushi doesn’t contribute to the process of achieving peace and stability in the region.

On one hand they make statements that regional stability and peace is needed, and on the other hand they make statements that don’t contribute to this process. “Thus this statement causes concern, we must follow the developments,” Khandanyan said.

The Turkish-Azerbaijani rhetoric has remained the same, Khandanyan said.

During his latest visit to Azerbaijan, Turkish President Erdogan said that Turkey plans to open a consulate in Shushi, the town in Nagorno Karabakh which was captured by Azerbaijani forces during the 2020 war. Erdogan said that the move would be a “message to the whole world and especially Armenia.”

176,000 tourists visited Armenia in May

Parkev Tvankchian

 14:23, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. 2023, the Ministry of Economy reported.

The ministry said the figure is the best indicator compared to the numbers of the same month of previous years (146,000 in 2019, 116,000 in 2022).

Inbound tourism in January-May 2023 mostly grew from Russia (52%), Georgia (12%) and Iran (6%).

"The Power of One Dramik": Idram Junior users donate

Parkev Tvankchian

 14:51, 5 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Remember we said that the best news were yet to come? Now we are here to share them with you. “The Power of One Dram” is no longer one: the initiative is joined by “The Power of One Dramik”, a program within the framework of which younger users donate.

Already from June 1, young users can donate by simply making their payments through the Idram Junior application. According to Idram director Arsene Kdenian, this is a great opportunity to teach young users the culture of charity. “We need not only financially literate, but also socially responsible generation. By launching “The Power of OneDramik”, we want to teach young users to be charitable, to be aware of the challenges of the society in which they live. Our Junior users are already philanthropists: they didn’t know yet, but for each of their payments, “one drams” were collected and they will join “The Power of One Dram” program”, said Arsene Kdenian.

By the way, on the occasion of June 1st, Idram Junior personally participated in the events organized for children. On June 1st, a series of performances were shown at the Puppet Theater, during which Junior was present in the theater and helped to register in the Idram Junior application and go through authentication, and during this time the younger users were not left without a surprise.

Another bright event was held in Yerevan Park. Junior also managed to be here and help younger users to register and pass authentication in Idram Junior, in return to take coupons and receive happy and pleasant surprises directly in Yerevan Park.

Download the Idram Junior app now, register and join the charity culture with “The Power of One Dramik”.

IDRAM IS CONTROLLED BY THE CBA

Armenian PM congratulates Italian counterpart on national day, notes growing volumes of trade and investments

Parkev Tvankchian

 11:43, 2 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the Italian national day, the Festa della Repubblica. 

Below is the congratulatory telegram sent by the Armenian PM to his Italian counterpart.

“Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people, I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of Italy on the national holiday, the Republic Day.

The Armenian-Italian cooperation stands out with the high level political dialogue. I am pleased to note that bilateral trade and volumes of Italian investments in Armenia are growing every year. Armenia is determined to bring the economic relations with Italy to the level of political dialogue. We attach importance to partnership with Italy both bilaterally and multilaterally, including cooperation within the framework of the EU.

I am convinced that through joint efforts we will contribute to the strengthening of the traditionally friendly Armenian-Italian relations. I hope we will have the chance to meet in the nearest future to discuss all issues on the agenda of mutual interest, and to outline new prospects of bilateral cooperation. I wish new successes to you in your responsible mission and peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Italy.”

[Press] From U.S. Embassy – Visa Fee Increases Effective May 30, 2023

Parkev Tvankchian 
NEWS   RELEASE
Visa Fee Increases Effective May 30, 2023
The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) 
application processing fees globally.  These fee increases are effective as of 
May 30, 2023.
The application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other 
non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has 
increased from $160 to $185.  The application fee for certain petition-based 
nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) has 
increased from $190 to $205.  The application fee for a treaty trader, treaty 
investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) has 
increased from $205 to $315.
For more information or updates on fees for visa services, please visit 
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
 
<





****
The visa fee increase will come into effect in 2023. from May 30
The US Department of State plans for 2023 around the world. from May 30 
increase the fee for certain types of nonimmigrant visas. With and without B1/B2 visas for business or tourism 
petition for non-immigrant visas, student, exchange visitors 
the fee for visas will now be 185 USD instead of 160 USD. Petition-based nonimmigrant visas (types H, L, O, P, Q, and R 
visas for temporary workers) the fee will be 205 instead of 190 USD 
US dollars. The fee for E-type visas has also increased from $205 to $315 
USD.
 For more information and visa fee details, see: 
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html<















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Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders meet for the fifth time in Brussels


								

					   Parkev Tvankchian
				
				

							


						


				




May 16 2023








Heydar Isayev May 16, 2023












The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan held their latest meeting in Brussels on May 14. The president of the European Council, who mediated, released a statement afterwards asserting that significant progress was made towards a peace agreement. 


But the parties, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, gave no indication that a final accord was at hand.


Pashinyan, Aliyev, and President of the European Council Charles Michel met for the fifth time since the Second Karabakh War in 2020 in which Azerbaijan regained large swathes of territory in and around Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian forces. (Azerbaijan-Armenia post-war talks have also been mediated by the U.S., which coordinates with the EU, and by Russia, which does not.)


“Together, we reviewed all issues on our agenda,” Michel said in his statement. “Following the recent positive talks held in the United States on the peace treaty, the momentum should be maintained to take decisive steps towards the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”


Michel said that the sides agreed to resume bilateral talks on the demarcation of the mutual state border with a shared “unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and the respective territorial integrity of Armenia (29,800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km2).” 


The specific mention of the two countries’ areas means, effectively, that Armenia accepts Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan while Azerbaijan doesn’t claim any territory in the Republic of Armenia. 


Azerbaijan has made numerous incursions into Armenian territory since the 2020 war, justifying its moves by the lack of a demarcated border. The Armenian website Civilnet estimates that Azerbaijani troops are currently holding at least 215 square kilometers of land belonging to the Republic of Armenia. 


Michel also reported progress on the issue of connectivity between Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave through southern Armenia. “Positions on this topic have now come very close to each other in particular on the reopening of the railway connections to and via Nakhchivan. Their respective teams have been tasked to finalize an in-principle agreement on the modalities for the opening of the railway connections and the necessary construction works together with a concrete timetable. They also agreed to draw upon the support of the World Customs Organization in supporting this work,” the statement read.


Azerbaijan earlier pushed for a seamless corridor to Nakhchivan without any Armenian border or customs checks, but has lately seemed to back down from this demand. 


“The invitation to the World Customs Organization to support the discussions should mitigate concerns that this route will become a ‘corridor’ while still keeping preferential arrangements for Baku and its exclave – maybe similar to Kaliningrad?,” tweeted Olesya Vartanyan, a senior South Caucasus analyst at the International Crisis Group. 


Michel said that more military detainees would be freed “in the coming weeks”. “I also stressed the need to safeguard the mutual understanding that soldiers who have simply got lost and crossed to the other side would continue to be released through a speedy procedure,” Michel said. In one recent case, two Azerbaijani soldiers crossed into Armenia – by mistake, according to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry – and one of them was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison on charges of illegal crossing and smuggling weapons, while the other awaits trial for the murder of a civilian. 


Michel again spoke of “the need for a transparent and constructive dialogue between Baku and the population” of Armenian-controlled Nagorno Karabakh, emphasizing “developing a positive agenda with the aim of guaranteeing the rights and security of this population, in close cooperation with the international community.”


Dialogue between Baku and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh seemed to have launched in earnest two months ago but faltered amid Azerbaijan’s continuing blockade of the region and regular flare-ups of violence.


Michel announced that the next meeting between the three in Brussels will be in July, and that Aliyev and Pashinyan will also meet with President Emmanuel Macron of France and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany on the margins of the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Chisinau. 


“Will it resolve all the past concerns in Yerevan and Stepanakert toward Brussels? Certainly not. There are and will be many who will question different parts of this statement and why certain issues did not get into the text,” Vartanyan tweeted. “What’s important is that after more than eight months Brussels is finally back to hosting such meetings – this will not resolve all the problems overnight, but should hopefully prevent emergence of new issues.”










Heydar Isayev is a journalist from Baku.


https://eurasianet.org/armenian-and-azerbaijani-leaders-meet-for-the-fifth-time-in-brussels
































							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Baku advises EU ambassador to Armenia ‘not to interfere in the affairs of Azerbaijan’


								

					   Parkev Tvankchian
				
				

							


						


				




NEWS.am


Armenia – May 16 2023












23:10, 15.05.2023

























Baku has advised the European Union (EU) ambassador to Armenia “not to interfere in the affairs of Azerbaijan.”


“The EU ambassador’s attempt to interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs is unacceptable,” said Ayhan Hajizadeh, spokesperson of the Azerbaijani foreign ministry, answering the question about the statements of Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia.


Referring to the statement by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, Wiktorin said that the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh should be ensured, and an international mechanism should be created for this.


Hajizadeh stated that “Azerbaijan’s position on this matter is well known.”


“The statements of the ambassador of the European Union, which are an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, contrary to the norms and principles of international law, are unacceptable. The Karabakh region is the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, and, like other national minorities in Azerbaijan, the rights and security of Armenians living in the country will be ensured within the framework of Azerbaijani legislation. No one should interfere with the efforts of the Azerbaijani side to dialogue with Armenian residents. It is necessary to put an end to preconceived notions against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan,” said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.