Author: Toneyan Mark

EAM Jaishankar pays homage at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Armenia

Toneyan Mark
News On Air, India
Oct 13 2021
ByAIR News
INTERNATIONAL

 

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar who is in Yerevan, Armenia on the third and last leg of visit to central Asia on Wednesday paid homage at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. He had a warm and productive meeting with Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan. They discussed a roadmap to take the bilateral cooperation forward. Both agreed on enhancing the trade, education and cultural exchanges.

The Ministers recognised the shared interests in strengthening connectivity, including the International North South Transport corridor. They briefed each other on the respective regional developments. Dr. Jaishankar said, India supports the OSCE Minsk process. He assured to cooperate closely in international organisations and multilateral forums.

The External Affairs Minister met President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan. They discussed the importance of nurturing the bonds between the two Parliamentary democracies. They spoke about bringing the people closer together through greater cooperation in different domains. Dr. Jaishankar appreciated the National Assembly President’s perspective on regional and international issues of shared interest.

Dr. Jaishankar paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in Yerevan. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also paid tributes. Together, they planted a tree of friendship. He met Indian students and Armenian friends of India in Yerevan. He appreciated the efforts made by the Government of Armenia for the welfare of Indian students.

The External Affairs Minister called on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting brought out the many convergences and shared outlook of the two countries. Both sides agreed to develop a broad agenda of practical cooperation that is to the mutual benefit.

Dr. Jaishankar visited the Matenadaran library in Yerevan. In a tweet, he said, the Armenia-India connect is visible in the library. A copy of the Mahabharata in Sanskrit and first Armenian newspaper and Constitution that were published in Madras is in the library. Paintings of the Ajanta caves by noted Armenian Artist Sarkis Khachaturian is at the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan.

Iran offers to help build transit motorway through Armenia to avoid Azerbaijani tolls

Toneyan Mark
Oct 6 2021
David Rogers
06.10.21
Iran has offered financial and technical support to Armenian plans to build a 550km North–South Road Corridor that would bypass Azerbaijani territory.

Kheirollah Khademi, who is Iran’s deputy transport minister and chief executive of a road-building company, arrived in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Monday, along with a delegation of officials and business people.

Khadami used his visit to inspect sites on another road, presently under construction, between the town of Nordooz and Yerevan. This Tatev project, which is almost complete, will allow freight between the two countries to run entirely on Armenian land.

The route that is used now is the Kapan–Shikahogh–Meghri motorway, which briefly enters Azerbaijan territory north of the town of Chakaten. Iran has been angered by a recent Azerbaijani decision to set up checkpoints on the road and charge Iranian drivers $130 for transit rights. This was exacerbated by the recent arrest of two Iranian hauliers on charges of illegal entry.

Iran said it will contribute to the completion of the Tatev road, and will also lend assistance to the North–South Corridor.

Khademi told the Pars Today newsite that the Iranian delegation was in Armenia to examine the difficulties Iranian truck drivers faced on the existing highway and to inspect the “strategically important” Tatev route to Yerevan. “We have visited this road, and are ready to assist Armenia in building a new road,” he said.

The North–֪South corridor is in the planning and finance stages. A recent evaluation by the Asian Development Bank, which is contributing a loan of $500m to the project, listed a number of projects to build new roads and upgrade existing stretches.

Iran and Azerbaijan (PlanespotterA320/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The corridor is important in allowing Iran unimpeded access through the Caucasus to Russia and the new infrastructure of China’s Belt and Road, as well as delivering Iranian fuel to Yerevan. India is also backing the road as a way of increasing its trade and realising its $630m investment in expanding the Iranian port of Chabahar (see further reading).

While the Iranian delegation was in Armenia, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a meeting in Tehran with Ararat Mirzoyan, his Armenian counterpart. This confirmed Iran’s eagerness to help construct the transit corridor.

These developments are occurring against a backdrop of steadily deteriorating relations between Tehran and Baku. This is based on Azerbaijan’s close relations with Israel, and Baku’s claim that Iran secretly backed Armenia in its recent war over Nagorno–Karabakh.

More recently, Iran held military exercises near its Azeri border, which prompted Azerbaijan to plan its own exercises with Turkey.

Yesterday, Iran closed its airspace to Azerbaijani military flights, a move Azerbaijan called “another betrayal instigated by the Armenian government”.

Azerbaijan responded by closing the office of the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, which operates out of the Huseynova Mosque in Baku, citing an increase in Covid-19 cases.

BSTDB Shareholders Decide to Increase Subscribed Capital

Toneyan Mark

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 17:13, 1 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Following the adoption of the Long-Term Strategy for the period of 2021-2030 earlier this year, the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) at its extraordinary meeting today decided to increase the subscribed capital of BSTDB from the current EUR 2.29 billion to EUR 3.10 billion, the BSTDB said in a press release.

The new subscription follows the increase in the BSTDB authorized capital approved in 2007 and the first round of subscription decided in 2008 and completed in 2018. The subscription covers 70% of the available authorized but unsubscribed capital and leaves unsubscribed 10% of the total authorized BSTDB capital of EUR 3.45 billion, which will remain available, inter alia, for potential new shareholders. The paid-in portion of the newly subscribed capital will be 30%, with 70% callable – in line with the Bank’s current capital structure. As a result of the new subscription, the Bank will receive an additional capital of EUR 244.96 million, thus raising the paid-in capital held by the Bank to EUR 931.51 million. The subscribed capital increase will enable BSTDB to fulfill the strategic objectives set forth in the Long-Term Strategy for 2021-2030 to promote economic development and regional cooperation of Member States and strengthen the Bank’s response capacity in crisis situations while increasing its relevance to shareholders. The subscription process will be finalized by the end of September 2022, and the BSTDB shareholders will make the subscribed capital payments in eight installments during the period of 2023-2030.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. BSTDB is rated long-term “A-” by Standard and Poor’s, “A2” by Moody’s and “A+” by the Russian credit rating agency ACRA.

​Nominee for US ambassador to Turkey recognises Armenian genocide, warns of more sanctions

Toneyan Mark
MSN
Sept 29 2021



Nominee for US ambassador to Turkey recognises Armenian genocide, warns of more sanctions

Joyce Karam

Former Republican senator Jeff Flake, the nominee to become the next US ambassador to Turkey, has officially recognised the mass atrocities perpetrated against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide, reversing his earlier positions on the issue.

Mr Flake answered with a resounding “yes” when the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, asked if he has changed his stance and is ready to “join this body and the administration in reaffirming the Armenian genocide”.

While representing Arizona in both the House and Senate, Mr Flake voted against congressional bills making a genocide declaration in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2014.

President Joe Biden in April became the first sitting US president to officially recognise the 1915 killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide.

Mr Flake also addressed the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, describing Turkey’s role as destabilising.

“If confirmed, I will encourage Turkey to support efforts to find a sustainable long-term solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and encourage peaceful and diplomatic resolutions to disagreements in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

The nominee described Turkey as an “indispensable ally” for the US, but one that is presenting Washington with complex challenges.

“Our relationship also faces profound challenges. Despite the United States’ tireless efforts to address Turkey’s security needs, Turkey still chose to purchase and test fire the Russian S-400 [missile defence] system,” Mr Flake said.

The former Republican senator stressed that absent of Turkey disposing the Russian system, current sanctions and penalties under US law will remain and could escalate.

“I will also warn Turkey that any future purchase of Russian weapons risks triggering further Caatsa sanctions in addition to those already imposed,” he said, referring to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

Congress passed the measure in 2017 to sanction any country engaging in significant transactions with Russia. Turkey installed the $2.5 billion Russian system in July 2019 and began testing it last October.

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to buy more Russian defence systems in defiance of the US and the Nato alliance it is part of.

The US has also expelled Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet consortium.

“I see no arms sales going to Turkey unless there is a dramatic change around the S-400s,” Mr Menendez said.

Asked what his strategy would be to advance democratic values and human rights in Turkey, Mr Flake promised a candid approach.

“I will continue to practice speaking truth to power, speaking out and being frank as our current ambassador has done and the State Department and the president do,” he said.

If confirmed, Mr Flake would succeed career foreign service officer David Satterfield in the position.

Armenian defense minister to attend session of CSTO statutory bodies, collective security summit in Dushanbe

Toneyan Mark

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 11:30, 13 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Arshak Karapetyan and his delegation will watch the active phase of the Russia-Belarus joint strategic military exercises “West-2021” (Zapad-2021) at the Mulino training center in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod on September 13, the Armenian defense ministry said.

Thereafter, the Armenian minister of defense will participate in the joint sessions of the CSTO statutory bodies (the council of foreign ministers, defense ministers and the committee of secretaries of security council), as well as the collective security summit in Dushanbe on September 15-16.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Parliament to hold closed-format session over situation on Goris-Kapan inter-state road

Toneyan Mark

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 12:49, 14 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament will hold a closed-format session to discuss the current situation on the Goris-Kapan highway in the Syunik province.

Secretary of the Armenia faction Artsvik Minasyan told reporters at a briefing that a respective agreement has been reached in the Parliament.

“Yesterday we have submitted a letter on behalf of the Armenia faction proposing to attend the session at the level of top officials. It’s very important for us to get complete information”, he said.

He said that the discussion may involve elements of state secret, therefore, they are ready for a closed discussion.

“The important task is to be able to solve the current challenges facing the country. Works need to be done at all directions. The simplest example is that today the sovereignty of Armenia has been violated. In fact, we have lost the sovereignty in that territory, the territorial integrity is violated, and there must be a criminal case over that. We expect that the Prosecutor General will answer to all questions”, Artsvik Minasyan said.

He noted that they must be informed from the Foreign Ministry whether necessary actions are being taken with the Iranian side or what processes are taking place in international platforms.

“As a result of the discussion with the leadership of the Parliament a decision was made to hold a closed-format discussion”, he said, adding that an agreement has been reached to hold that meeting as soon as possible. “It will take place either today or tomorrow”, he added.

The police of Azerbaijan are checking the documents of drivers and cargo of trucks with Iranian license plates in the area of Eyvazli settlement under Azerbaijani control, near the Vorotan community on Goris-Kapan inter-state road.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 09-09-21

Toneyan Mark

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 18:07, 9 September, 2021

YEREVAN, 9 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 9 September, USD exchange rate is down by 0.49 drams to 493.17 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 0.31 drams to 583.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is up by 0.03 drams to 6.75 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 2.43 drams to 681.46 drams.

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

Gold price is down by 284.46 drams to 28318.43 drams. Silver price up by 0.72 drams to 385.53 drams. Platinum price is down by 237.91 drams to 15808.21 drams.

Armenpress: Armenian, Georgian PMs assess bilateral negotiations as productive

Toneyan Mark

Armenian, Georgian PMs assess bilateral negotiations as productive

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 18:50, 9 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS. The official visit of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to Georgia is over.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, in the sidelines of the visit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili, paid tribute at the “Heroes’ Square” in Tbilisi, participated in the dinner reception delivered on behalf of the Prime Minister of Georgia in honor of the Armenian Prime Minister.

Nikol Pashinyan held high-level talks with Irakli Garibashvili, discussing the agenda of Armenian-Georgian relations. A key topic of discussion was the prospect of opening an era of stability, peace and development in the region. The interlocutors agreed to expand the Armenian-Georgian cooperation, to promote the regional dialogue by joint efforts and programs. In this context, the Prime Minister of Armenia also had a productive meeting with the President of Georgia.

The official visit of the Prime Minister to Georgia ended in Batumi with an informal meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia, during which the programs aimed at the development of tourism and measures aimed at improving infrastructure were presented to PM Pashinyan. The Armenian, Georgian

Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the negotiations and agreed to continue active contacts in both official and unofficial formats.  

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan returned to Yerevan this evening.

Effective cooperation established between Armenian and Georgian governments – Pashinyan tells Garibashvili

Toneyan Mark

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 15:20, 8 September, 2021

TBILISI, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is convinced that as a result of his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili the cooperation between the Armenian and Georgian governments will become more effective and closer.

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister, please let me thank you for the invitation and warm welcome. It has always been a great honor and pleasure for me to visit the capital of brotherly Georgia, because this is a good chance first of all to communicate with friends, and secondly, to discuss issues relating to the bilateral, regional and international relations.

I am happy that quite an effective cooperation has been established between our governments and I am convinced that as a result of our meeting this cooperation will become more effective and closer”, Pashinyan said during the meeting with his Georgian counterpart in Tbilisi.

In turn the Georgian PM congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on the convincing victory in the recent snap parliamentary elections of Armenia.

“I am happy that my dear colleague has been hosted today in Tbilisi. I want to once again congratulate my colleague on the convincing victory in the parliamentary elections. I am convinced that he will bring success and development to the Armenian people and Armenia”, he said.

Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Georgia on September 8 on an official visit.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia to host the prestigious Summit of Minds for third time

Toneyan Mark
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 7 2021
September 7, 2021, 13:39

 2 minutes read

Armenia will host the prestigious international Summit of Minds for third time this fall, the President’s Press Office informs.

The annual Summit of Minds held in Chamonix, France, has been hosted by Armenia since 2019.

The traditional Armenian Summit of Minds has developed into a unique Armenian brand today. An exceptional agreement on its organization was reached in September 2018, when the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian participated as the keynote speaker at the annual Summit of Minds.

The Summit unites famous figures of the world’s political, economic, scientific and cultural circles. It is a unique platform for exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience, the main goals of which are to present new ideas on key issues of global interest, to establish trust-based partnerships through direct discussions.

With the aim of expanding the geography of the summit, discovering new ideas and opportunities, the Summit of Thought will be held in several countries this year.

In September 2021, the main world macro issues will be discussed in the French city of Chamonix The topics will cover economy, geopolitics, society, environment and technology, their development in the coming years and the potential impact on investment and business decisions.

The summit will be held in Armenia in October and in Canada in November. The summit is scheduled to be held in the United States next year.

The first Armenian Summit of Minds, which was held in Dilijan in 2019 brought together about 300 participants, including famous and influential politicians and statesmen, scientists, businessmen and investors, heads of major companies and media outlets from around the world.

The second Armenian Summit of Minds was held online due to the coronavirus epidemic and the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. The organizers and participants of the summit addressed the military aggression of Azerbaijan in the context of global challenges.

The third Armenian Summit of Minds is scheduled for October 23-24, 2021 in Dilijan. It will be held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, the main partners are The Monthly Barometer analytical magazine and the Central Bank of Armenia. The main topics will include geopolitics of the South Caucasus region, development of technologies, namely artificial intelligence, biotechnology in the 21st century. Well-known speakers from different countries will deliver reports.

At the recent online meeting with the summit participants, President Armen Sarkissian. “The most powerful resource Armenia has is the human being. I am one of those who believe that human resources are much richer, stronger and more powerful than natural resources, because that is the future, that is the 21st century.”