Category: 2020

 18:36,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia-Germany relations develop quite intensively, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced during a press conference, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs from Berlin.

“Great changes have taken place in Armenia. Changes are being carried out today in the legal system. We know it’s not an easy task and wish success to Armenia in its efforts”, Angela Markel said.

She recalled her visit to Armenia and emphasized that she was impressed by her visit to TUMO center, the result of which is that in autumn a TUMO center will be opened in Berlin. She noted that intensive cooperation continues in various spheres.

Angela Merkel highlighted the Armenian peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and thanked for it. She also referred to Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and added that she will continue the meeting with PM Pashinyan with a rich agenda of discussions.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 20:32,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The meeting between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took place in Berlin.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime MInistye rof Armenia, welcoming Armenian Prime Minister’s visit, the German Chancellor emphasized its importance as she was confident that the visit came as an opportunity to discuss issues on the bilateral agenda. Mrs. Merkel went on to assure that her government will continue to back the Armenian side in an effort to push ahead with the ongoing democratic reforms.

Coming to economic developments, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that high growth rates had been recorded in various sectors of the economy. The Premier said his government eager to see broader involvement of German capital in Armenia’s economy, and invited German companies to take part in investment projects in Armenia.

The parties discussed a broad range of issues, including cooperation in the fields of industry, infrastructure, tourism, information technology, education, etc. Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the upcoming April 5 referendum on constitutional changes in Armenia. He pointed out that the Government is going to invite international observers to monitor the referendum.

On behalf of her government, Angela Merkel expressed support for Armenia’s judicial reform. She emphasized the importance of those steps taken by the Armenian government to develop democratic institutions.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 18:14,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Germany is one of the power bridges linking Armenia to the EU, the European civilization and culture, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs from Berlin.

“Germany is Armenia’s close friend and partner and we can feel that power of friendship in terms of both emotionally and practically. Today I can record with confidence that our friendship is based on common values”, Pashinyan said, adding that it fosters cooperation in various spheres.

Pashinyan added that this is his 3rd meeting with Angela Merkel, which shows the high level of bilateral relations.

“I am glad to note that today we are also linked with mutually beneficial cooperation and practical programs. We are ready to do everything to further strengthen it”, Pashinyan said.

Nikol Pashinyan particularly emphasized the assistance of Germany to the reforms in Armenia and expressed gratitude to Germany and the EU for the moral, political, and financial support. “It is of key importance for ensuring the irreversibility of democracy in our country”, he said.

The Armenian PM informed that at the end of February Armenia expects the visit of the delegation of German businessmen, while in October “Armenia-Germany economic forum 2020” will take place.

“We are greatly interested in the entry of German companies to Armenia. I have to record with satisfaction that following our last year’s meeting we have tangible progress over almost all the agreements. We are very happy for the agreement with KfW Bank on establishing a TUMO center in Berlin. It’s a great honor for us to share our experience with a technological giant like Germany”, PM Pashinyan said.  

He expressed the interest of Armenia to further popularize German language and culture in Armenia. “We hope that the Goethe Center in Yerevan opened in December 2017 will become a full-fledged institute in the near future. Summing up my speech, let me record that today the Armenian-German relations are on the highest ever level”. PM Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 21:06,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The adoption of the resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide by the People’s Council of Syria is a brilliant evidence of the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Syrian peoples. It’s an important contribution to the restoration of historical justice and prevention of genocides, reads the statement issues by the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

“We highly appreciate the adoption of the resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire by the People’s Council of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The genocide unleashed by the government of the Young Turks a major part of which was carried out in the territory of Syria that was under the Ottoman rule at that time, is a part of the shared memories of the Armenian and Syrian peoples.

The Syrian people, witnessing the calamity facing the Armenian people, were one of the 1^st to extend a helping hand to the genocide survivors. Thousands of survivors re-found their new motherland in Syria, establishing one of the most flourishing Armenian communities and had their contribution to the development of Syria.

This resolution is a brilliant evidence of the centuries-old friendship and reciprocal sympathy between the Armenian and Syrian peoples. It’s an important contribution to the restoration of historical justice and prevention of genocides”, reads the statement, expressing solidarity with the Syrian people, who currently face challenges.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 18:43,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia switched to parliamentary system of government in 2018 and Germany is a very important and successful model for Armenia in terms of parlaimentarism, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs from Berlin.

“I want to emphasize another aspect of relations with Germany which is of great importance for us. You know, Armenia switched to parliamentary system of government in 2018 and Germany is a very important and successful model for Armenia in terms of parlaimentarism. Being an effective and powerful country, the mechanisms of restraint and counterbalances operate precisely, where democracy is not doubted and it’s irreversible. In this sense we attach great importance to relations with Germany and we will talk about the current developments and the reform agenda in Armenia with Mrs. Chancellor”, Pashinyan emphasized.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 21:16,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth in Berlin. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan is in Berlin with PM Pashinyan’s delegation, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that Armenia greatly highlights the partnering relations with Germany. The interlocutors discussed the joint programs and initiatives aimed at the expansion of the Armenian-German cooperation.

The sides also referred to the agenda of Armenia-EU partnership and highlighted the role of the Comprehensive and Enhanced partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU as a legal base for fostering the cooperation between Armenia and the EU member states.

Emphasizing that the main beneficiaries of the Armenia-EU cooperation are individuals, FM Mnatsakanyan highlighted the works for the launch of visa liberalization talks.

During the meeting the sides discussed the process of the large-scale reforms carried out by the Government of Armenia aimed at the strengthening of democracy and rule of law, trust towards the judicial system and fight against corruption.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Michael Roth exchanged views on international and regional developments.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 09:41,

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s current judicial system, including the Constitutional Court, was formed in the previous political conditions. And the changes in this sphere are a necessity, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the meeting in the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Germany, Armenpress correspondent reports from Berlin.  

The PM said after the 2018 Revolution no major changes have taken place in the judiciary. On this path Armenia has been guided and continues to be guided with the principle of moving forward with institutional steps.

“We are guided with this approach so that our changes will not be spontaneous, we are guided with this approach in order to be convinced that we will bring a benefit, rather than a damage. For many years our country has lived under the conditions of a judicial system controlled by the government. But our task is to create guarantees that there will be really an independent and impartial judiciary in the country”, Pashinyan said, adding that it’s necessary to start the judicial reforms. In this context he attached importance to the EU support and thanked for the readiness to assist.

According to the Armenian PM, the most important news in the current period are the ongoing events around the Constitutional Court. He informed the meeting participants that the Armenian Parliament recently adopted a decision according to which a referendum on the Constitutional Court will be held in the country on April 5. The PM thoroughly introduced the reason of making such a decision. The reason is that legislative manipulations have taken place 30 days before the entry into force of the new Constitution under the former Parliament and Government.

“As a result today we don’t have a Constitutional Court by the current Constitution. Question arises, when we will have a court envisaged by the Constitution if we don’t make any change? If we don’t make any change, we will have that in 2035 because the representatives of the previous leadership have elected a president of the Constitutional Court based on manipulations who should remain in office until 2035. In other words, there will be no election of the Constitutional Court President for 18 years”, Nikol Pashinyan said, adding that such situation is unacceptable, and this issue has been put up to referendum.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 09:36,

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Since 2018 the number of Armenian citizens seeking status in the EU territory has reduced by more than a double, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting in the Berlin Friedrich Ebert Foundation when asked about the reforms’ impact on the emigration pace.

“The number of persons from Armenia seeking status in the EU has dropped nearly 60%. And since 2018 we have significant positive dynamics in the arrival and departure indicators of Armenian citizens. Particularly, in 2019 the number of citizens who entered our country is 10,000 more,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan noted that prices in the Armenian real estate market have grown and the mortgage loan volumes show doubling paces of growth compared to 2017. He expressed hope that this process will continue.

“I would really like to say that emigration from Armenia has stopped, but I can say that it is stopping. The figures show this,” Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 09:55,

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues his working visit in Germany, Armenpress correspondent reports from Berlin.

The second day of his visit the PM will continue in Berlin and then will depart for Munich.

Today Pashinyan and his delegation will visit the German Chamber of Commerce where there will be a luncheon to discuss economic issues.

The meeting from the Armenian side will be attended by Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Ambassador of Armenia to Germany Ashot Smbatyan, Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan, the ruling My Step faction MP, chair of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Ruben Rubinyan and assistant to the PM Hrachya Tashchyan.

After the meeting the Armenian PM will visit the headquarters of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany political party to meet with the CDU Secretary General Paul Ziemiak. In the daytime the PM will continue his working visit in Munich where he will attend the official opening ceremony of the Munich Security Conference. In Munich Pashinyan will have several bilateral meetings, in particular will meet with President of Moldova Igor Dodon and the EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn. At the end of the day Nikol Pashinyan will visit the headquarters of Giesecke+Dervien (German company providing banknote and securities printing, smart cards, and cash handling systems) where he will have a meeting with the company’s CEO Ralf Wintergerst.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 10:57,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish authorities have strengthened security measures of the Russian Embassy in Ankara after Ambassador Alexei Yerkhov began receiving threats over the escalation of the situation in Idlib, Syria, TASS reported.

A Russian diplomat in Turkey told TASS that the Turkish government ramped up security for the diplomatic mission after the latter’s request.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan