Category: 2019

Ruling faction decides not to develop separate law on vetting

14:48, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The ruling My Step faction of the Armenian parliament has decided not to develop a separate bill on the expected vetting procedure in the judiciary.

“We intended to have a separate law on vetting, but at this moment we have preferred to carry out the vetting procedure with this toolbox. It will naturally imply the adoption of certain legislative bills in order for it to be possible, particularly for its implementation by the Supreme Judicial Council and the Anti-Corruption Body, but at this moment there is no discussion for it to be a separate bill,” Parliamentary Majority Leader Lilit Makunts from My Step told reporters today.

On May 20^th, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed that the judiciary in Armenia must undergo a vetting process because of the public’s low trust for it.

On June 21, the My Step faction of parliament said the Supreme Judicial Council will be the authorized body to carry out the vetting of judges.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Georgian businessmen interested in cooperation with Armenian counterparts in all sectors

15:03, 28 June, 2019

DILIJAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Georgian businessmen are interested in finding partners in Armenia and are ready to invest in Armenia, Georgia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nino Chikovani told reporters during the Armenia-Georgia Business Forum in Dilijan.

“There is interest for cooperation in all sectors. This opportunity must be maximally utilized today because Georgian businessmen are also interested to cooperate,” she said.

Chikovani said Georgian businessmen have come to the forum in order to find business partners for starting businesses in both Armenia and Georgia. She said the Georgian entrepreneurs are ready to make investments in Armenia.

She said Armenians and Georgians are traditionally cooperating in trade and investments, and their activities are aimed at the growth of turnover volumes.

Chikovani mentioned that there are results in the medicine and trade sectors.

The business forum, in her words, will greatly help to get to know each other’s potential, to increase investments and develop cooperation.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia hands over illegal-border crosser back to Azerbaijan

15:32, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has handed over Elvin Arif Oghlu Ibrahimov to Azerbaijan, the foreign ministry said.

The Azerbaijani citizen had illegally crossed into Armenia on March 16 and was detained ever since.

He was handed over to Azerbaijan with the support and under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The foreign ministry said Armenia remains committed to international humanitarian law norms and its assumed international commitments.

Ibrahimov, escorted by ICRC representatives and respective Armenian bodies, was handed over to Azerbaijan on June 28^th.

“Armenia has carried out this humanitarian step without any pre-condition”, the foreign ministry said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Azerbaijan hands over Armenian prisoner

15:34, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian citizen Zaven Karapetyan, who had appeared in Azerbaijani territory in unknown circumstances on June 20, 2017 and was kept jailed, has been handed over on June 28 by Azerbaijan to representatives of Armenian authorities and the ICRC, the foreign ministry said.

Earlier in the day, the foreign ministry said Armenia too has handed over an Azerbaijani citizen back to Azerbaijan.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

‘Constitutional Court works and will work in its normal course’ – statement

15:36, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The Constitutional Court of Armenia issued a statement on the recent developments over the Court.

Armenpress presents the statement:

“Dear compatriots,

Given the recent developments and discussions around the Constitutional Court, we consider it necessary to state the following:

1. Most of the opinions expressed over the Constitutional Court these days are political, therefore we do not react to them, taking into account the duty of the judge of the Constitutional Court to show political restraint and neutrality in public speeches and ant other circumstances.
2. As for the legal questions, we want to note that the private opinions, the unique interpretations of the Constitution, of course, cannot create any legal consequence for the Constitutional Court.
3. It’s the exclusive power of the Constitutional Court to give a final interpretation of the Constitutional norms, moreover, this can be done only within the framework of a concrete case.
4. Given that these legal questions can become a subject of examination of the Court according to the Constitution and the constitutional law on Constitutional Court, we refrain from making public statement on these questions.
5. The Constitutional Court works and will work in its normal course, subjected to the Constitution only and ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution.

The statement has been signed by CC President Hrayr Tovmasyan and judges of the Court A. Gyulumyan, A. Dilanyan, F. Tokhyan. A. Tunyan, A. Khachatryan, H. Nazaryan and A. Petrosyan”.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia’s sustainable energy development under spotlight of CSOs coalition: 4th session held in Yerevan

15:44, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The 4th session of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for sustainable and transparent energy development in Armenia was held within the framework of the “Civil Society Organizations for Sustainable and Transparent Energy Development” (EU4STED) project implemented in the scope of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project funded by the European Union.

The session was attended by various member organizations of the coalition and guests.

Chairman of the “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO Karen Zadoyan said he attaches great importance to the activities of the coalition in the past period. “After formation we expect two results from the coalition. The first one is aimed at monitoring and improving the public policies in energy field, and the next one is directed for internal capacity development of the coalition so that it will become one of the major role players in its activity field and the government’s partner”, Zadoyan said.

Karen Zadoyan told ARMENPRESS that they highlight the development of internal documents. “These are vital documents and are very important for the development of the coalition. I am confident that the coalition has a great impact on the further development of energy sector in Armenia”, he said, adding that their NGO has provided a grant for public policy development, reforms and capacity development of the coalition.

Director of the Energy Saving Foundation NGO Astghine Pasoyan stated that from now on they should not be a group of organizations only, but a structure that has a common goal, tools and vision. “Program ends, but actions start”, she said.

The session aimed at introducing the works of the CSOs coalition, in particular those relating to the introduction of energy efficiency procurement and regulations of operation of sustainable energy stations in communities, the creation and launch of a “smart” monitoring platform for sustainable energy development in communities and etc.

ARMENPRESS is the information partner of the coalition.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia, Georgia mutually making investments in tourism and processing industry

16:32, 28 June, 2019

DILIJAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. As of April 1, 342 enterprises with the participation of Georgian capital are registered in Armenia. The two countries are making mutual investments in processing industry, tourism and agriculture, Deputy Minister of Economy Avag Avanesyan told reporters in Dilijan on the sidelines of the Armenian-Georgian business forum.

“The investments between our countries will depend on the trade turnover volumes. Both are mainly investment absorbing countries, in other words, the growth potential is not so high in order to be able to make foreign investments, the same can be said about Georgia. But when the trade turnover starts growing, the business ties further strengthen, it is possible Armenian-Georgian companies will be established with a joint capital. And at that time we will also see intensification of investment flows. The sectors where both countries make investments are compatible, such as processing industry, tourism and agriculture”, he said.

The deputy minister said there is also cooperation in the IT field, but is not at a high level yet.

Asked how many companies with an Armenian capital are operating in Georgia, Avag Avanesyan said according to the data of their partners, there are 360-390 such companies. He added that the volume, rather than number, is important.

In 2018 the trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia has certainly decreased compared to 2017. Avanesyan said the main reason of the decline was the decrease in trade turnover of mines. But the deputy minister stated that in January-April 2019, the trade turnover has already registered a double-digit growth. “This means that the interest is growing. There are some goods for trade and their growth potential exists”, he added.

Avag Avanesyan considered tourism as the main cooperation direction where Armenia and Georgia can act with a single tourism result. The new directions of cooperation are being discussed at the moment.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 28-06-19

17:07, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, 28 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 28 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.21 drams to 477.11 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.24 drams to 543.19 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.57 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.99 drams to 604.83 drams.

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

Gold price down by 31.72 drams to 21513.57 drams. Silver price down by 0.18 drams to 233.93 drams. Platinum price up by 71.26 drams to 12440.29 drams.

Former PM avoids criminal liability with the condition of returning illegally obtained lands

17:36, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The Special Investigation Service of Armenia has discovered cases of selling lands to relatives or friends of former Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan by making false documents by community heads and auction commissions. A total of 15 pieces of land have been sold in this way in Dilijan, Mkhchan and Narek communities with a territory of over 170 hectares for different types of use.

The Special Investigation Service of Armenia has made a decision on not persecuting Hovik Abrahamyan, given the fact that he has agreed to return the lands to the communities.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Release of detained citizens by Armenia and Azerbaijan is not part of ”all for all” principle – MFA Armenia

17:54, 28 June, 2019

YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The return of Azerbaijani citizen Elvin Arif Oglu Ibrahimov who illegally crossed the Armenian border on March 16, 2019 by Armenia and the return of Armenian citizen Zaven Karapetyan who accidentally crossed the border with Azerbaijan on July 15, 2018 by Azerbaijan is not carried out in the sidelines of ”all for all” principle, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia Anna Naghdalyan told News.am.

”This is not an exchange of detained, since Armenia had declared earlier that it returns Elvin Arif Oglu Ibrahimov, who illegally crossed the Armenian order on May 16 of this year, to Azerbaijan without any preconditions, based on humanitarian considerations”, she said, adding that the process was carried out with close collaboration with the ICRC. Ibrahimov had not committed any grave crime and his return based on humanitarian principle was applicable.

‘’We also took notice of the decision of Azerbaijan to release Armenian citizen Zaven Karapetyan, who appeared in the territory of Azerbaijan under unknown circumstances on June 20, 2017, and together with the ICRC organized his return to his homeland’’, Anna Naghdalyan said, expressing happiness over the return of the Armenian citizen to his homeland.

Azerbaijan has proposed the principle of ‘’all for all’’ (they propose to return the 3 Armenians kept in Azerbaijan, demanding the release of 3 Azerbaijanis kept in Armenia, 2 of which have been convicted in Artsakh for grave crimes). Armenia has always been devoted to real humanitarian acts, but those humanitarian acts should not show tolerance towards impunity, particularly in the case of grave crimes. The deliberate murder of a minor is a grave crime in any society, therefor ‘’all for all’’ principle is not acceptable for the Armenian side. Besides, the glorification of hatred-based murders and making idols of those criminals is already grievous act.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan