Category: 2019

Armenian PM holds farewell meeting with UK Ambassador

 15:49,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth on the occasion of completion of her diplomatic mission, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The PM highly appreciated the UK Ambassador’s activity and thanked for her efforts to develop the Armenian-British relations. Pashinyan wished success to the Ambassador in her future activities and expressed hope that she will keep the firm ties with Armenia. The Prime Minister highlighted the development of cooperation between Armenia and the United Kingdom at various fields, stating that the Armenian government is interested in further developing and expanding the relations.

In her turn the UK Ambassador thanked the PM for the productive cooperation. She wished success to the PM and his government to effectively implement the outlined programs and reforms, adding that the UK government also attaches importance to the close partnership with Armenia. Mrs. Farnworth expressed confidence that the ties between the two states will continue to develop and strengthen. In particular, she said the UK government is ready to assist the Armenian partners to raise the efficiency of the administration system.

During the meeting the sides also touched upon the priorities of the Armenian government, as well as the Armenia-EU partnership.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Artsakh comments on statements of Georgian and Ukrainian foreign ministries

 16:05,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The foreign ministry of Artsakh commented on the statements made by foreign ministries of Georgia and Ukraine over the recent elections of local self-government bodies in Artsakh.

Armenpress presents the full text of the comment:

“On September 8, elections to local self-government bodies were held in the Republic of Artsakh, which became another achievement of Artsakh authorities and society in the process of the consistent development and strengthening of democratic institutions in the republic.

Azerbaijan’s nervous reaction to the elections was predictable and became another manifestation of not only the denial of the fundamental rights of Artsakh citizens, but also the rejection of democratic values in general.

The statements of the Foreign Ministries of Georgia and Ukraine, which associated themselves with the anti-democratic regime of Azerbaijan were perplexed. Such statements not only contradict the declared commitment by Georgia and Ukraine to democratic values, but also constitute interference in the internal affairs of the Artsakh Republic and violate the principles of equal rights of peoples and sovereign equality of states.

Statements by the Foreign Ministries of Georgia and Ukraine also contain provisions that distort the essence of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict with the aim to reduce it to a territorial dispute and express support for the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

In this regard, we would like to remind the Georgian and Ukrainian sides that Azerbaijan does not have internationally recognized borders, except for its Russian-Azerbaijani section. Moreover, a significant segment of the Georgian-Azerbaijani border has not yet been finalized. The borders of Azerbaijan are not defined, not only with Georgia, but also with other neighboring countries. With some of them, the delimitation and demarcation of borders has not even begun.

We call upon the authorities of Georgia and Ukraine to remain committed to the declared system of values based on democratic principles and respect for human rights and freedoms and in the future refrain from the statements regarding the realization by the citizens of the Republic of Artsakh of their fundamental rights, which are enshrined in fundamental international documents”.

President Sarkissian receives HSBC Bank official

 16:28,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received Chief Executive Officer of International at HSBC Bank Christopher Davies and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Armenia Paul Edgar, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

During the meeting President Sarkissian highlighted the Bank’s operation in Armenia, stating that its entry to Armenia in the beginning of 1990s had a great impact on the financial-banking system and the formation of a respective culture. “We appreciate the investment of your Bank, and it’s future operation in Armenia is important”, Armen Sarkissian said.

In his turn Christopher Davies said HSBC has introduced the best standards in Armenia, and the Bank’s Armenia team is one of the well prepared teams.

The meeting participants also exchanged views on the operation of HSBC Bank in Armenia, the upcoming programs.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 18-09-19

 17:10,

YEREVAN, 18 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 18 September, USD exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 476.22 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.75 drams to 526.22 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 7.39 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.15 drams to 593.51 drams.

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

Gold price вup by 80.80 drams to 22998.39 drams. Silver price вup by 0.15 drams to 273.15 drams. Platinum price down by 134.14 drams to 14361.56 drams.

Valery Osipyan appointed chief advisor to PM

 17:44,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a decision according to which Valery Osipyan was appointed chief advisor to the PM.

The decision is posted on e-gov.am

Earlier today President Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on dismissing Valery Osipyan as Police Chief of Armenia. The President signed the respective decree based on the PM’s proposal.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

”Civil contract” party’s board meeting underway

 19:31,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. ”Civil Contract” party has convened a board meeting, attended by PM Pashinyan. ARMENPRESS reports before the meeting head of the parliamentary faction of ”My step” bloc Lilit Makunts said that she cannot say what issues will be discussed during the meeting, because there is no clear agenda.

”I cannot say what questions I will raise, but the facilitator of the meeting will inform and everyone will know what issues were on the agenda”, Makunts said.

To the question how she can comment on the resignations of the two power structures, Lilit Makunts said that they are natural processes and no official is for forever.

To the questions that Vilen Gabrielyan’s name is circulated as the main candidate for the position of Police Chief, the head of ”My step” bloc parliamentary faction said that she has learned about it from media reports.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia to open Embassy in Israel

 20:02,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia will discuss the draft decision of opening an Embassy in Israel, ARMENPRESS reports the issue is included in the agenda of September 19 session of the Cabinet.

The substantiation is that it is important to establish the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Tel Aviv as soon as possible (end of 2019, beginning of 2020) in order to ensure sustainable development of Armenian-Israeli bilateral relations.

”The establishment of the Armenian Embassy in Israel, by which bilateral relations will be fostered, is aimed at the better protection of Armenia’s interests in the region’’, the substantiation of the draft reads, adding that it is also aimed at retaining the rights of Armenia over Armenian historical-cultural heritage.

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Israel were established in 1992. During the recent years the cooperation dynamics between Armenia and Israel significantly rose.  

Ambassador of Armenia to Israel during the period of 2000-2008 was former foreign minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian (residency in Paris), Armenian Ambassador to Egypt from 2012-2018 Armen Melkonyan was appointed also Ambassador to Israel (dual accreditation), while from 2018 until now Armen Smbatyan is the Ambassador of Armenia to Israel (residence in Yerevan).

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

PM Pashinyan was not satisfied with activities of Vanetsyan and Osipyan – Eduard Aghajanyan

 20:33,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. It was the decision of PM Pashinyan to release from jobs Director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan and Police Chief Valeri Osipyan, ARMENPRESS reports Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Eduard Aghajanyan told the reporters after the board meeting of ”Civil Contract” party.

”The PM was not satisfied with the activities of both officials. Valery Ospiyan has been appointed Chief Advisor to the PM. The Head of the Executive found that he will be productive in that post”, Aghajanyan said, emphasizing that Vanetsyan and Osipyan resigned by the decision of the PM. Eduard Aghajanyan added that there are no decisions over the appointments of NSS Director and Police Chief at the moment.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenia plans opening Embassy in Ethiopia

 21:15,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia will discuss the issue of opening an Embassy in Ethiopia, ARMENPRESS reports the issue is included in the agenda of September 19 session of the Cabinet.

Armenia has no diplomatic representation in Sub-Saharan Africa, while the representation of Sub-Saharan African countries is limitted by accedition of non resident Ambassadors of some countries.

The establishment of an Embassy in Addis Ababa will significantly regulate and activate Armenia’s interactions with the African countries.

The establishment of an Embassy in Israel will be discussed tomorrow as well.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Armenian FM meets with his Latvian counterpart in Riga

 21:20,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is in Riga on an official visit, met on September 18 with Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkevičs.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, thanking for the warm reception, Minister Mnatsakanyan expressed confidence that his visit will foster the future development and strengthening of relations between the two states and two peoples that have great respect towards each other.

The FMs recorded with satisfaction that Armenia and Latvia have a successful experience of cooperation and will continue mutual efforts to further expand mutual agenda.

The Armenian Foreign Minister spoke about the reform process launched in Armenia, pointing out judicial reforms as a priority.

In the context of Armenia-EU cooperation Zohrab Mnatsakanyan highlightedd the role of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

FM Mnatsakanyan noted that Armenia prioritizes the launch of the dialogue on visa liberalization and highly appreciated the support of Latvia in that issue.

The sides exchaged views on regional and international agenda.

Minister Mnatsakanyan presented to his colleague the position and approach of Armenia on NK conflict settlement.

After the meeting the Foreign Ministers gave a joint press conference.

The Armenian and Latvian FMs visited the Freedom Monument and laid fllowers.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan