Category: 2021

 10:01, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On November 16th Lilit Makunts, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America, held a virtual meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D – Maryland), the Embassy of Armenia in US said in a statement on social media.

Ambassador informed Senator about the aggression unleashed by the Azerbaijani armed forces and the infiltration into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Ambassador Makunts stressed the importance of condemnation of the provocative actions of Azerbaijan by the international community.

Senator Van Hollen expressed his concern over the situation and noted that he will bring the issue to the attention of his colleagues in the Senate.

 10:05, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement following the November 16 Azerbaijani attacks on Armenia at the eastern parts of the border.

“The United States is deeply concerned about reports of intensive fighting today between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We urge both sides to take immediate concrete steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation.  We also call on the sides to engage directly and constructively to resolve all outstanding issues, including border demarcation.

As noted in the Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ statement on November 15, the recent increase in tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan underscores the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, the statement says.

 10:14, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. US Congressman Frank Pallone expressed his concern about the latest Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia.

“Azerbaijan’s escalation of violence on Armenian soil is unacceptable. This increase of deadly violence against Armenia will only continue unless the US Mission to the OSCE, the State Department and the international community take immediate and decisive diplomatic action.

Claims that both sides are at fault ignore the fact that Azeri troops are attacking within the sovereign territory of Armenia and terrorizing innocent civilians. This is a purposeful violation of international law that will only further embolden Aliyev if he is not stopped”, Rep. Pallone said on Twitter.

 10:16, 17 November, 2021

WASHINGTON D.C., NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. United States Congressman and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff condemned the November 16 Azerbaijani attack on Armenia.

“I am deeply disturbed by today’s reports of Azerbaijani forces attacking Armenian soldiers at the border, including the reported murder or illegal detainment of more than two dozen Armenian soldiers,” Congressman Schiff said in a statement released on social media.

“This unprovoked attack is in direct violation of Azerbaijan and Armenia’s ceasefire agreement, and a grave reminder that the United States must be doing everything we can to deter Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression.

I urge the State Department to act immediately to use every diplomatic channel and lever available to avert another mass humanitarian disaster and show our unwavering support for the Armenian people and their sovereignty.”

 10:21, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Parliament passed at second reading the government-authored bill on cutting the number of New Year holidays.

Before, Armenia had a week-long holiday starting December 31st (New Year holidays until January 2nd, then until January 5th pre-Christmas holidays, January 6th Christmas, and the 7th of January was observed as Merelots (Day of Commemorating the Dead).

By the new law, only December 31st,  January 1st and 2nd , as well the January 6th will be non-working days.

The law passed with 57 votes in favor.

The Armenian Church had recommended January 5 (Christmas Eve) and January 7 (Merelots) to remain non-working days, but the proposal was not approved.

The recommendation on cutting the number of holidays was brought forward by Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan, who says that the week-long holidays negatively impact the GDP and production volumes in different branches of the economy, as well as foreign economic activities and the implementation of contract relations with domestic and foreign organizations. Kerobyan said earlier that the move would lead to economic benefits and GDP growth.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 10:29, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. Iran is concerned about the reports of new military actions on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said, calling on the two countries to show restraint.

He emphasized the need for the two countries to respect the internationally recognized borders and urged them to solve the issues through dialogue and peaceful means.

Saeed Khatibzadeh said that the current tension is harmful for the peace process and regional development. He once again stated that Iran is ready, like before, to assist both sides resolve the disputes and establish stability and security in the region.

 10:34, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. On 16 November, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Mher Margaryan delivered a statement at the United Nations Security Council open debate on “Peace and security through preventive diplomacy”, the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN said on social media.

In his statement Mher Margaryan drew the attention of the Security Council to the armed attacks by Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of Armenia in recent days in breach of the UN Charter, the international law and the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020. He stressed that the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan are detrimental to the efforts of the international community to de-escalate the situation and are severely undermining the prospects of peace in the region.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia underlined the need for urgent and effective steps by the international actors aimed at prevention of the further escalation and ensuring unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the territory of Armenia.

The UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, the President of the ECOSOC, and the President of the International Court of Justice made presentations during the meeting presided by Mexico.

 10:40, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The situation in the eastern border of Armenia, which came under attack by Azerbaijani armed forces on November 16, is relatively stable as of 10:00 November 17, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

It said that the ceasefire agreement is “mostly” holding.

The Ministry of Defense also issued information on casualties of the Azerbaijani military in the November 16 actions.

The Azerbaijani military suffered up to 70 casualties of personnel, including both killed and wounded troops, as well as significant materiel losses, namely 4 BTR armored personnel carriers, 1 Sandcat vehicle and 5 other automobile vehicles (Kamaz, Ural, UAZ).

1 Armenian soldier was killed in action and 13 others were taken captive by the Azerbaijani military. Another 24 Armenian troops are missing-in-action after contact with them was lost during combat.

“Intensive works are underway to find the servicemen. Two military positions have gone under adversary control. Russian-mediated negotiations are ongoing over resolving the situation and returning the captured Armenian servicemen.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 10:59, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The 9th annual meeting of the CIS Secretaries of Security Council has kicked off in Moscow, with the secretary of security councils of the 9 member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States in attendance, including Armenia’s Armen Grigoryan and Azerbaijan’s Ramil Usubov.

Just yesterday, the Azerbaijani military launched a massive deadly attack on Armenia from the eastern border. 

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:01, 17 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament is debating the 2022 state budget draft during today’s session.

The budget draft set security issues, education system and inclusive infrastructure development as a key target for 2022, Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan said during the debate.

“The solution of these issues must create grounds for the high economic results of the coming years, which in turn will ensure conditions for programs directed to health and social insurance, settlement of public life and other key issues”, the minister said.

Minister Khachatryan said that the government is targeting long-term high economic growth, at least 7% annually, and in case of a favorable external environment – 9%.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan