Category: 2021

Russian, Azerbaijani FMs discuss implementation process of trilateral agreements

 19:08, 2 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, ARMENPRESS reports, citing the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the interlocutors discussed issues of bilateral relations, as well as the regional-international agenda.

The sides exchanged views on the implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, taking into account that it’s already a year since the establishment of the full-fledged ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries exchanged approaches on the issues of easing tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, unblocking all transport and economic ties in the South Caucasus, and creating a favorable atmosphere for regional cooperation.

Sergey Lavrov stressed the need to continue efforts aimed at the comprehensive settlement of all of political-diplomatic issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

 19:13, 2 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. In the direction of Karmir Shuka community of Martuni region of the Artsakh Republic, the front-line divisions of the Azerbaijani army opened irregular fire from firearms on November 2, in the second half of the day, ARMENPRESS reports the spokesman of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh Suren Sarumyan told ARTSAKHPRESS.

 “According to preliminary data, there are no casualties,” Sarumyan said, adding that the Russian peacekeeping command in Artsakh have been informed about the incident.

 19:48, 2 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received the newly appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State Erika Olson, who is in Armenia on a regional visit. FM Mirzoyan congratulated her on assuming the post and wished success in her responsible mission, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Olson exchanged views on regional security and stability, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the framework of the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. In this regard, the five-party meeting with the participation of the Co-Chairs and the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York in September was highlighted.

The humanitarian situation created by the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh was also discussed. In this context, Minister Mirzoyan stressed the need for the unconditional repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees, as well as the need to preserve the Armenian religious, historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories that have appeared under Azerbaijani control.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Erika Olson also discussed a wide range of issues related to Armenia-US relations, expressing satisfaction with the positive dynamics of the dialogue at different levels. The interlocutors discussed the effective cooperation in the areas of democratic development, strengthening the rule of law, protection of human rights, and the fight against corruption.

The sides also referred to the joint steps to be taken within the framework of the US-Armenia Strategic Dialogue (USASD) and the programs of the USAID in Armenia.

Earlier the US Embassy in Armenia informed that the new Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State Erika Olson will travel to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to “promote regional cooperation and discuss bilateral issues”. While in Yerevan, Olson will participate in a regional Chiefs of Mission meeting in November 2-4, joining U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne M. Tracy, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan, and U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lee Litzenberger, as well as Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Andrew Schofer and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Alexander Sokolowski.

 19:58, 2 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 2 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. Member of boxing team of Armenia Davit Chaloyan secured at least a bronze medal at the World Championship.

ARMENPRESS reports Davit Chaloyan competed with Lazizbek Mullojonov representing Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals of the +92 kg weight category at the World Championship in Serbia, winning 3: 2. Chaloyan reached the semifinals, securing at least a bronze medal at the World Championship.

Earlier it was reported that the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in the 63 kg weight category Hovhannes Bachkov will compete in the quarterfinals with the representative of Thailand Somchai Wongsuvan.

 09:48, 3 November, 2021

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of Armenia to the United States Lilit Makunts had a discussion-meeting with more than a dozen members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in the Capitol Hill.

Ambassador Makunts expressed her gratitude to the Members of Congress for their constant support to Armenia, the issues that concern to Armenian people, and for the adoption of pro-Armenian resolutions in Congress, the Armenian embassy said in a readout.

“In particular, the adoption of resolutions on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as condemning the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh, and coming up with legislative initiatives in that regard.
Ambassador Makunts briefed Members of Congress about the democratic reform program implemented by the Armenian Government, agenda of the Armenian-American relations and current regional security issues. In that context, she emphasized the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.
Ambassador Makunts presented the challenges followed by the 44-day war and the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the need for the unconditional repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians held in Azerbaijan.
During the meeting Ambassador Makunts answered the questions raised by the Members of Congress.”

 10:15, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan had a meeting with the new Country Manager of the World Bank for Armenia Carolin Geginat, during which he presented the agenda of the ministry’s reforms, the ministry said in a news release.

The agenda is directed to anti-corruption and constitutional reforms, improvement of freedom of speech, etc.

The minister congratulated Carolin Geginat on appointment, by highly valuing the World Bank’s constant support provided for Armenia’s reforms, in particular in the fields of justice and police.

The meeting sides discussed also other issues of mutual interest and agreed to develop the existing productive partnership.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 10:22, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The 2022 state budget draft envisages a 34,5% drop of funding for the Prime Minister’s Office, while the budgets of the President’s Office and the Parliament Staff will remain unchanged, finance minister Tigran Khachatryan said at a joint parliamentary committee discussion on the 2022 state budget draft. 

By the 2022 state budget, the President’s Office will have a 1 billion 602,5 million dram budget against the 2021’s 1 billion 601,2 million.

The parliament staff’s funding will comprise 5 billion 992 million drams. In 2021 the parliament staff had a 6 billion 90 million dram budget.

Speaking about the cuts of the Prime Minister’s Office budget, the finance minister said this is because numerous projects which were being implemented by the Prime Minister’s Office previously will now be implemented by other government agencies. The PMO will have a 19 billion 675 million dram budget against the 30 billion 24 million of 2021.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:17, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. 2045 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 312,674, the ministry of healthcare reports.

13,184 COVID-19 tests were conducted on November 2.

1276 patients have recovered in one day. The total number of recoveries has reached 273,608.

The death toll has risen to 6491 (50 death cases have been registered in the past one day).

The number of active cases is 31,263.

The number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 but died from other disease has reached 1312.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:30, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. 12% of the adult population of Armenia is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Minister of Healthcare Anahit Avanesyan said during an interview to Public Television.

She said that 28% of the adult population has received the first dose.

So far, 817,290 doses were administered, from which more than 562,000 are first dose jabs and 254,000 are second dose jabs.

“We have an abrupt increase of the vaccination pace in the last month,” Avanesyan said, adding that the healthcare system in Armenia is ready to administer up to 30,000 doses in a day.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:40, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The candidacy of former Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan is under discussion for the position of Member of the Board of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office Arayik Harutyunyan said.

“Yes, it is under discussion,” he said, when asked to comment on rumors that Avinyan is being considered for the position.

“He is a member of the political team. And there must be people who would best represent Armenia’s interests in that organization.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan