Category: 2019

LHK faction expects MP Arman Babajanyan to return mandate

 14:35, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Lusavor Hayastan (Bright Armenia, LHK) faction of the Armenian Parliament expects MP Arman Babajanyan to return his mandate of lawmaker, LHK spokesperson Aren Petunts said on Facebook shortly after the MP announced he is quitting the faction.

“Lusavor Hayastan faction respects Mr. Arman Babajanyan’s principled stance and expects him to return with the same principled manner the mandate he has received by the Lusavor Hayastan Party proportional list. We thank Mr. Babajanyan for his work at the Lusavor Hayastan faction and we wish him good luck in his future activities,” Petunts said.

Member of Parliament Arman Babajanyan from the opposition Lusavor Hayastan (Bright Armenia) Party has announced his intentions to quit his membership to the faction, but he said he is still undecided whether or not he will remain an independent lawmaker or he will quit at all.

“We haven’t seen creativity, pro-activeness and innovation from the opposition. The opposition has failed in being better that the government, its mission of the future’s hope, just like it has failed in its highly important role of being an alternative to the government. The abovementioned reasons and factors are making me no longer compatible with the Lusavor Hayastan faction of the National Assembly, which unfortunately has made me to make the difficult decision of leaving it. I will announce it at the beginning of the upcoming sitting of parliament. I will soon announce whether I am also refusing from the mandate of lawmaker or if I will continue my active political activities as an independent lawmaker,” Babajanyan said in a Facebook statement.

He also mentioned several other reasons for withdrawing from the faction.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Deputy PM Avinyan holds meeting with Moldovan Ambassador

 14:41, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan received on September 6 Ambassador of Moldova to Armenia Ruslan Bolbochan (residence in Kiev, Ukraine), the deputy PM’s Office told Armenpress.

During the meeting the Ambassador said that the two peoples have deep historical roots, and Moldova wants to develop comprehensively the friendly relations with Armenia. In this context the role of continuous dialogue between the officials of the two countries and official mutual visits was highlighted.

Avinyan said it’s necessary to work actively to form a broad cooperation agenda, especially paying attention to the commercial field.

The officials also discussed issues relating to the expansion of a legal base, humanitarian, cultural cooperation and air communication.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs to meet “soon”

 15:17, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Soon Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov will hold another meeting.

FM Mnatsakanyan confirmed it to a news conference today but didn’t disclose specific timeframes.

“Our government has very clearly expressed the seriousness of our intentions to actively work in the direction of the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the number of the meetings this year between the foreign ministers and leaders of the two countries is already showing this seriousness. Our meeting is outlined, it will take place soon, we have an agreement to announce the meeting simultaneously and naturally I wouldn’t want to breach it [agreement],” Mnatsakanyan said.

Mnatsakanyan and Mammadyarov last met on June 20 in the United States.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

President of Artsakh receives Secretary of Security Council of Armenia

 15:41, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan on September 6 received Secretary of Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

Issues related to the cooperation between the two Armenian republics in the security sphere were on the meeting agenda.

Artsakh Republic Security Council Secretary Arshavir Gharamyan also attended the meeting.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Jailed ex-finance minister taken to hospital for “routine” checkup

 15:56, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Former Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryan, currently jailed in pre-trial detention on charges of embezzlement, has been taken to the Astghik Medical Center in Yerevan for a “routine” check-up.

“He has been transported to the hospital for a check-up. Khachatryan is currently in the Astghik Medical Center,” Department of Corrections spokesperson Nona Navikyan told ARMENPRESS.

Navikyan said Khachatryan did not suffer any health deterioration and that this is simply a regular medical checkup.

Khachatryan, who is also a former President of the State Revenue Committee, was remanded in custody on August 27. His nephew, again a former tax official, was also arrested.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian PM to deliver speech at 74th session of UN General Assembly

 16:01, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will deliver remarks at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters today, commenting on the PM’s upcoming visit to the US.

“The Armenian PM will visit California, he has an agenda there. He will visit New York and will take part in the opening of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. We are using the UN’s key platform very consistently to push forward our foreign policy agenda at the highest leadership level. The PM will deliver speech at the session. Bilateral meetings, other events and speeches are also expected”, he said.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will leave for the USA in September.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Department of Corrections launches proceedings over recent prisoner disobedience incidents

 16:10, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Proceedings are underway in regard to the September 5 disobediences by prisoners in several correctional facilities in Armenia, Department of Corrections (Criminal Executive Department) spokesperson Nona Navikyan told ARMENPRESS.

“The situation is currently under our control. Such incidents aren’t taking place any longer,” she said.

Prisoners in several correctional facilities in Armenia displayed defiance and disorder against prison administrations in the evening of September 5. The situation was brought back under control by the Department of Corrections. Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan had later said that he will take actions according to the situation in the event of possible developments.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Export grows in Armenia by 3% January-July 2019

 16:11, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. In January-July 2019, compared to January-July 2018, Armenia’s external trade turnover grew by 2.3%. The export increased by 3% and the import by 1.9%, according to the report released by the Statistical Committee.

In July, compared to June, the export from Armenia grew by 6.8%, and the import by 6.5%.

The export growth rates have also accelerated. In particular, if in June 2019, compared to June 2018, the export grew by 1.2%, in July 2019, compared to July 2018, the export increased by 19.5%.

The biggest share in Armenia’s external trade turnover as of January-July 2019 belonged to the CIS states – 30.9%, of which 27.5% belongs to Russia. The trade turnover with the EU states comprises 21.8% of the entire external trade turnover. China and Switzerland have a big share – 11.9% and 6.4% respectively.

The volumes of goods exported to the CIS states in January-July 2019 increased by 10%, and that to the EU states decreased by 22.7%. The volumes of goods exported to other countries increased by 17.9%. The volume of goods exported to Russia grew by 9.4%.

As for the EU states, in January-July the volumes of goods exported to Italy and the Netherlands increased by 23.2% and 40.3% respectively, however, the export to Belgium, Bulgaria and Germany has declined.

The export to China, as well as to Switzerland and Iraq has drastically increased – 72.6%, 25.3% and 25.5% respectively. The export volumes have declined to the USA, UAE and Iran.

In the aforementioned period the export volumes of precious and semi-precious stones, metals have increased by 38.8%.  10.3% increase has been registered in the export volumes of ready-made food products.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian Ambassador presents credentials to Serbian President

 16:34, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Serbia Ashot Hovakimyan (residence in Prague, Czech Republic) on September 4 presented his credentials to President Aleksandar Vučić, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The Serbian President wished the Ambassador all the best, expressing confidence that the bilateral political dialogue and economic relations will continue to develop for the benefit of the two states and their peoples.

In his turn the Armenian Ambassador thanked the President for the welcome and stated that there is a great potential in the Armenian-Serbian relations which is still not utilized. He reaffirmed his commitment to contribute to the development and deepening of the Armenian-Serbian relations with his active works and joint efforts.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia “spares no effort” to bring back captives from Azerbaijan, says FM

 16:43, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has reiterated that the issue of Arayik Ghazaryan and Karen Ghazaryan (no relation), two men currently held captive in Azerbaijan, will always be under the spotlight of the Armenian foreign policy until the matter is successfully resolved.

“We are very actively working with my other colleagues who have direct relation to this issue, and the Red Cross has a function here. The same goes for Karen Ghazaryan. No efforts are spared to continue reaching a result,” Mnatsakanyan said.

Arayik Ghazaryan is a serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army who was captured by Azerbaijani military after crossing the border in circumstances which are yet to be determined.

Karen Ghazaryan is a civilian, a resident of Berdavan, Armenia who since July 2018 is held captive in Azerbaijan.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan