Category: 2020

 12:06, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian-Georgian high-level talks in an extended format were held today in Tbilisi.

Welcoming Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his delegation in Georgia, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said the two sides have a broad agenda of issues to discuss today.

“We will cover all the issues that are important both for the Armenian and the Georgian side. I want to highlight the issue of the democratic development of our countries and the regional peace. This is the base for the economic development of our states. All conflicts in the region should be solved peacefully”, the Georgian PM said. He introduced Georgia’s aspirations of the Euro-Atlantic integration space, stating that that is the decision of their people. PM Gakharia said they welcome Armenia’s cooperation within the Eastern Partnership framework.

“As you said, the democratic development of our countries is the base for our security and economic development. I am confident that our meeting today will be one more step to move forward on the democratic path”, the Georgian PM said at the meeting.

In turn the Armenian PM said there is a huge potential in the relations of the two countries which is still not utilized. According to him, the complete utilization of this potential is a key part of their agenda. Pashinyan said Armenia and Georgia have numerous opportunities to raise the economic cooperation to a completely new level.

“In this regard democracy again has a vital significance. We respect Georgia’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic space integration. Our countries have a little bit different visions on security systems. But I think that we have a common vision on our securities. Armenia cannot be a security threat for Georgia, and vice versa. Paying official visit to Georgia shortly after assuming the office of the prime minister for the first time I proposed to put this particular formula on the base of our future relations”, the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan added that Armenia welcomes Georgia position according to which all conflicts should be solved exclusively peacefully.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Georgia today on an official visit.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:46, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The future development of relations with Georgia is among Armenia’s most important foreign policy priorities, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters in Tbilisi after the meeting with Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia.

“I am more than convinced that all preconditions exist for that. Undoubtedly, the centuries-old friendship, that is based on common values and historical heritage, creates a firm base for our cooperation”, the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan said today new tools came which make the Armenian-Georgian friendship inseparable and further strengthen the cooperation aspiration. “That is first of all the common vision of our peoples to build a future based on democratic values, which is irreversible and acquired a power of belief. The victory of democracy and the establishment of the rule of law opened new horizons for expanding the cooperation between our countries in various areas”, he said.

The Armenian PM said the talks with his Georgian counterpart enabled to continue the discussions which launched in Yerevan last October.

“Let’s touch upon the necessity of consistent implementation of prospective projects in transportation, energy and other areas. We emphasized the importance of developing the transit potential of the two countries. The talk is not only about the land routes, but also the energy and telecommunication sector. We presented several cooperation proposals relating to IT, education and science. We also attached importance to strengthening the ties between the youth. We proposed to take steps to strengthen the ties between the civil society organizations of the two countries”, Pashinyan said.

The Armenian PM informed that they also discussed the regional security and peace. “It’s without doubt that the Armenian-Georgia cooperation is one of the most important guarantees for ensuring stability in our region. As for the regional issues, I want to express confidence that the only way to solve them are peaceful talks which do not have an alternative. I am also sure that each conflict has its peculiarities. In this sense I attach strong importance to the maintenance of balanced positions on issues sensitive to each other”, Pashinyan noted.

He also highlighted the great role of the Georgian-Armenian community in the bilateral relations. “We are grateful to the consistent actions of the Georgian authorities aimed at preserving the national identity, cultural and spiritual heritage of Georgian-Armenians”, the Armenian PM said.

Summing up his remarks PM Pashinyan highlighted the necessity of holding regular high-level talks.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:50, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Leader of the Prosperous Armenia (BHK) opposition party Gagik Tsarukyan says quarantining the first coronavirus patient’s contacts at a defunct hotel in Tsakhkadzor is negatively impacting tourism at the resort town.

Tsarukyan claims many holiday-goers have cancelled their bookings at the town after the news of the quarantine.

The opposition leader said he is unhappy with the government’s preventive measures against the novel coronavirus. “Coronavirus is spreading around the world. Hospitals, pharmacies should had been instructed a month ago on securing necessary medical items, face masks. A month later, when the virus has reached our doors, we see there is shortage of masks and medicine,” he said.

On March 1, Armenia reported its first novel coronavirus case. The patient’s direct contacts have been quarantined at the defunct Golden Palace hotel in Tsakhkadzor. The Golden Palace hotel is a government-owned facility which was not functioning as the authorities were trying to auction it off. The venue was quickly equipped with necessary conditions and the quarantined persons are receiving high-level accommodation and care, authorities said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 13:33, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is interested in cooperation with Belarus in high technology, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Armen Ghevondyan told BelTA ahead of a meeting with representatives of the Belarusian business circles in the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Ambassador said in 2018 Armenia-Belarus trade totaled $50 million, 17% up over 2017, and in 2019 the trade came at $70 million. The growth did not result from a spike in one or another industry or field, Armen Ghevondyan noted. “We managed to move forward in this area thanks to concerted efforts of the two countries and entrepreneurial spirit of the business communities,” the Ambassador noted. “However, I am far from thinking that we have reached the point when we can say that this is our limit,” he added.

Armen Ghevondyan stressed that Belarus and Armenia do not use the full potential of cooperation. “We should also take into account that the economies of Armenia and Belarus are undergoing evolutionary changes. This is primarily due to close attention of the governments to such a trend as high technology. We could hardly imagine an economy of the 21st century without it. I am sure that in addition to traditional areas of cooperation, we will also greatly boost cooperation in IT, and our enterprises in this area will not only achieve their goals, but establish closer ties,” the Ambassador said.

He also believes that the two countries should promote interregional ties. “They should encompass even more fields of practical cooperation. This will broaden the scope of our cooperation and will have a positive impact on the indicators,” Armen Ghevondyan added.

 12:49, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian deputy minister of healthcare Lena Nanushyan talked about the novel coronavirus and the favorable conditions for the spread of the disease.

“Given that there are favorable conditions for being infected with coronavirus during the smoking of hookah, various countries ban the use of hookahs in public places to prevent the spread of the virus. Therefore, avoid smoking hookah now and forever”, the deputy minister said.

First case of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has been confirmed in Armenia on March 1.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:04, 3 March, 2020

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan received today President of the Central Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Various issues relating to the cooperation of Armenia and Artsakh in the banking sector were discussed.

The meeting was also attended by Artsakh’s State Minister Grigory Martirosyan and other officials.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:17, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Healthcare Minister Arsen Torosyan received Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, the ministry told Armenpress.

The officials discussed the situation caused by the novel coronavirus, as well as the ongoing actions to prevent the spread of the virus in both countries.

The Armenian minister congratulated Iranian Ambassador on assuming office and then introduced the actions being taken in Armenia.

The Ambassador thanked for the meeting and introduced Iran’s experience in the past two weeks for fighting against the novel coronavirus. The Ambassador said a great medical team has been formed in Iran aimed at preventing the spread of the virus, as well as there is a 24-hour hotline.

The Ambassador presented recent data according to which 7280 Iranian citizens applied to hospitals after the entry of Covid-19 into the country, of which 4312 were tested. As of the daytime of March 2, 1501 cases of coronavius were confirmed in Iran, 291 people recovered. 66 death cases were reported.

“Our country’s experience shows that we need to further enhance the preventive actions, rather than the treatment, and this is also important for Armenia until the problem hasn’t gone further”, the Ambassador of Iran said.

The sides also discussed the spread of fake news on coronavirus and highlighted the importance of providing accurate information.

The Armenian minister and the Iranian Ambassador agreed to keep direct contact with Iran’s health minister.

“I hope everything will be solved soon and the life will continue in its normal course”, the minister said.

He expressed readiness to help Iran from professional perspective, and the Iranian Ambassador in turn expressed good health to the patient infected with Covid-19 in Armenia.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:00, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. The visit of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan is at the development stage, Communication and Media Relations Section at the OSCE Secretariat said in response to the question about the visit dates.

“The program of the visits of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama to Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku is still at the development stage”, the OSCE said.

Earlier in January OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama announced, presenting Albania’s 2020 priorities to the Permanent Council, stated that the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict will have an important place in the OSCE during Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2020. “Conflict resolution efforts such as those of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Geneva International Discussions and related mechanisms, and the Transdniestrian Settlement Process will also be high on the Chairmanship’s agenda”, Rama said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:08, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on the sidelines of his official visit, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The Georgian President highly valued the friendly relations of the two countries and stated that the issues and initiatives discussed during today’s meetings will give a new impetus to the further development and strengthening of the ties.

Nikol Pashinyan said he is happy to meet with Mrs. Zourabichvili during his official visit in Georgia to discuss the prospects of further deepening and developing the relations of the two states. “It’s a pleasure to once again meet with you. I can state that the Armenian-Georgian relations have recorded a positive development since our first meeting”, the Armenian PM said.

The Armenian PM and the Georgian President continued discussing several issues of the bilateral agenda. Thereafter, their discussion continued around a luncheon.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:35, 3 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spouse Anna Hakobyan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the My Step and City of Smile charity foundations, will travel to the United States on a visit, where at the invitation of the State Department she will participate at the annual International Women of Courage awarding ceremony on March 4.

US First Lady Melania Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the event.

During the visit the Armenian PM’s wife will have a meeting with Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Brock Bierman, Hakobyan’s Office said.

On the same day, Anna Hakobyan will attend a concert at the Washington National Cathedral dedicated to the 100th anniversary of establishment of Armenian-American diplomatic relations.

On March 6th, Hakobyan will travel to Brazil. She will have a meeting with First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro in Brasilia. Later on the same day, Anna Hakobyan will meet Armenia’s Honorary Consul Hilda Burmaian in Sao Paulo.

On March 7, Anna Hakobyan will travel to Argentina and have a meeting with First Lady Fabiola Yáñez in Buenos Aires.  Anna Hakobyan will return to Yerevan on the same day.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan