Category: 2019

Armenian FM, Ethiopian President exchange views on prospects of deepening bilateral agenda

15:48, 3 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Foreign minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde on the sidelines of his official visit to Addis Ababa, the Armenian MFA told Armenpress.

The Armenian FM congratulated the Ethiopian President on assuming office and wished success in her key mission. Mnatsakanyan also congratulated Ethiopia on successful membership to the UN Security Council.

The sides exchanged views on the prospects of deepening and enriching the bilateral agenda. As a key direction they both highlighted initiating programs aimed at promoting the cooperation in IT and digital agenda.

The Armenian FM noted that the expansion of the relations with Ethiopia is among Armenia’s foreign policy key priorities, and the Armenian side is ready to take actions to more effectively utilize the existing potential. In this context they highlighted the need to take steps to expand the legal framework.

The Ethiopian President and FM Mnatsakanyan highlighted the role of the Armenian community in the country’s public and political life as a bridge between the two friendly countries.

At the request of President Sahle-Work Zewde, the FM introduced the recent developments over the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The sides agreed that there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of conflicts.

A number of other urgent issues of international agenda were also discussed during the meeting.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

President Bako Sahakyan holds consultation on hosting CONIFA 2019 European Football Cup in Artsakh

16:37, 3 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan on April 3 convened a consultation to discuss the ongoing preparation works to host the CONIFA 2019 European Football Cup, his Office told Armenpress.

The President stressed the importance of holding such events in the republic, highlighted their high-level organization and gave appropriate instructions to the state commission responsible for the preparation, organization and coordination of the event, as well as to the concerned structures towards proper realization of the works. 

State minister, head of the state commission Grigory Martirosyan and other officials attended the consultation.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 03-04-19

17:12, 3 April, 2019

YEREVAN, 3 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 3 April, USD exchange rate up by 0.38 drams to 486.85 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.52 drams to 547.51 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 7.47 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 7.02 drams to 641.72 drams.

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

Gold price down by 34.28 drams to 20196.54 drams. Silver price down by 0.52 drams to 235.18 drams. Platinum price down by 36.54 drams to 13304.7 drams.

All-new military equipment presented to PM Pashinyan

19:14, 3 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Accompanied by Chief of the General Staff of the Armend Forces of Armenia Artak Davtyan, PM Pashinyan visited “Baghramyan” military training center, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

All-new military equipment of the Armed Forces of Armenia were presented to the PM. Pashinyan watched the testing of the new equipment.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Artsakh will continue efforts to bring to justice those responsible for April war – MFA Artsakh

19:54, 2 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Artsakh has issued a statement on the occasion of the anniversary of the April war of 2016, underlining that all necessary measures will be taken in case of any attempt to solve the conflict through use of force. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Artsakh, the statement runs as follows,

”Three years ago, in the early morning of April 2, the Azerbaijani side, grossly violating the ceasefire regime established by the May 12, 1994 agreement on full cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, launched a war along the entire border with Artsakh. Employing heavy equipment, artillery and military aircrafts, the Azerbaijani armed forces shelled not only the advanced positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, but also peaceful settlements, causing casualties, also among civilians. Only four days later, on April 5, 2016, Azerbaijan, suffering considerable losses, was forced to ask for the cessation of hostilities through Russia’s mediation.

The scale and intensity of offensive actions, the number of military equipment and manpower involved, as well as the statements of the Azerbaijani authorities indicate that the April events were nothing more than a pre-planned military aggression. Azerbaijan planned to seize the entire territory of Artsakh and thereby resolve the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict by force, but these plans were thwarted due to the decisive actions of the Artsakh Defense Army.

The actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces were accompanied by gross violations of international humanitarian law and by war crimes. Artsakh’s foreign ministry had worked consistently towards bringing the inhumane atrocities to the attention of the international community, including specialized structures and agencies. Being sure that such crimes do not have a statute of limitations, the Republic of Artsakh will continue to make efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

Three years have passed since the end of the hostilities, but it is still urgent to take international political and diplomatic measures to deter the aggressive ambitions of Azerbaijan for ensuring the complete implementation of the May 12, 1994 and February 6, 1995 agreements. It is also necessary to establish international mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire regime, and especially through the implementation of the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg after the April War.

The Republic of Artsakh reiterates that in case of Azerbaijan’s attempt to resolve the conflict by force, all the necessary self-defense measures will be taken in line with the UN Charter to protect the rights of its citizens to live freely and securely in their homeland”.

Armenian FM to depart for Ethiopia

20:42, 2 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will leave for Ethiopia on an official visit on April 2-4.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the FM is scheduled to meet with President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Tekle, as well as with other officials.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will also meet with the representatives of the Armenian community in Ethiopia.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Karekin II asks Patriarch Kirill to mediate for release of Karen Ghazaryan from Azerbaijani jail

20:59, 2 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II asked Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to mediate for the release of Karen Ghazaryan convicted to 20 years of imprisonment in Azerbaijan.

”We want to attract your attention also on this incident. Karen Ghazaryan, a citizen of Armenia from Berdavan community of Tavush Province, who still in unknown circumstances found himself in the territory of Azerbaijan and who has psychological problems was recently convicted to 20 years of imprisonment’’, ARMENPRESS reports, citing Ria Novosti, His Holiness Karenkin II said.

He noted that the verdict was reached with obvious violations of human rights.

”Given our previous experience as religious leaders I ask Your Holiness to mediate with the religious and secular authorities of Azerbaijan for the return of the young man to his family in line with international commitments”, Catholicos Karekin II said.

The spiritual leader of Armenia also thanked Patriarch Kirill for organizing trilateral meetings between the spiritual leaders aimed at fostering the settlement of Karabakh conflict.

”Karabakh conflict can be solved only through peaceful means for ensuring peace and stability in the region. It’s first of all necessary to establish an appropriate atmosphere for the settlement of the conflict”, Karekin II said, emphasizing that the leadership and people of Armenia strive for peace, but this aspiration cannot be one-sided.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia’s Srbuk will perform 1st during ‘Eurovision-2019’ 2nd semi final

21:06, 2 April, 2019

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, ARMENPRESS. Representative of Armenia Srbuhi Sargsyan, aka Srbuk, will performe 1st during ‘Eurovision-2019’ 2nd semi final with ‘Walking out’ song, ARMENPRESS reports the singer informed via Facebook.

‘Eurovision 2019’ will take place in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Srbuhi Sargsyan was born in Yerevan in 1994. Graduated from Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory’s jazz-vocal department. The broad audience recognizes the singer from the X-Factor international music project.

Since 2012, Srbuk created the Allusion band, which performs pop, soul, rock covers, and famous hits of different times.

This year, the singer won the fourth place in the “Voice of Ukraine” musical project, captivating the hearts of foreigners.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan