Category: 2021

 15:04, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received today head of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Armenia Mission Nathan Porter and IMF Resident Representative in Armenia Mehdi Raissi, the PM’s Office said.

Pashinyan highly appreciated the Armenian government’s and Central Bank’s cooperation with the IMF. “The partnership and targeted programs with the IMF, especially in the post-war period, have demonstrated their importance and contributed to the preservation of macro-economic stability in Armenia. We are inclined to continue the mutual partnership with the same spirit and are ready to discuss the future joint actions”, PM Pashinyan said.

The IMF Armenia Mission head thanked the PM for the appreciation and stated that their organization attaches importance to the cooperation with Armenia and reaffirms its readiness to expand the collaboration. He added that the IMF will continue assisting the Armenian government’s reforms aimed at improving the monetary-credit and fiscal policy, strengthening the public-private investment system and the business climate, improving infrastructures, conducting education field strategy, raising governance transparency, developing mining industry, etc.

Pashinyan said that the government is taking active works in all directions. He touched upon the ongoing reforms in education, infrastructure, investment, mining, fiscal and other sectors, providing the guests with details about the ongoing activities and outcomes.

He stated that all these reforms are inter-connected, and the successful process of each of these reforms depends on the effective implementation of all of them. The PM said the education reform is the basis of reforms. “We are planning to build/renovate 300 schools and 500 kindergartens in the next 5 years. Our main goal is to make high-quality education available for all children living in Armenia. In this context we also develop the remote learning system”, he said.

As for the investment climate, the Armenian PM said that works are being done to introduce effective assessment system.

The sides stated that their visions on the further process of the Armenia-IMF partnership are overall the same and agreed to continue the productive cooperation.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:12, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Defense of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan within the framework of his two-day official visit to Armenia.

The Georgian Minister of Defense paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Minister Burchuladze was accompanied by Major-general Arayik Harutyunyan, the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, the defense ministry said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:31, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Representatives of different spheres from Armenia and abroad will be involved in the Board of Directors of FlyOne Armenia, which has received an air operator certificate in Armenia.

In response to the inquiry of ARMENPRESS, the company’s board confirmed the news that the company has decided to introduce a corporate governance system.

The board of the company informed that in the near future the composition of the newly formed board, as well as the name of the head of the board will be announced. Regarding of the Head of the Board of Directors, the choice of the company has rested on the candidate representing Armenia.

On 27 October 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority of Armenia offered FlyOne Armenia the National Air Operator Certificate, which confirms that FlyOne Armenia will launch flights from Armenia very soon.

By now, FlyOne Armenia has invested more than 60 million Euro in the Armenian market, which contributes to the growth of the country’s economy.

 17:50, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 3 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 3 November, USD exchange rate down by 0.36 drams to 476.85 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.80 drams to 552.62 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.64 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.25 drams to 649.66 drams.

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

Gold price down by 72.12 drams to 27449.54 drams. Silver price down by 0.27 drams to 365.88 drams. Platinum price down by 196.26 drams to 16082.3 drams.

 18:26, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is ready to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions, which is enshrined in the Government’s Action Plan, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan told Nouvelles d’Arménie, commenting on the position of the Armenian side on relations with Turkey and possible developments in the future.

“The lack of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, the closed borders, as well as Turkey’s open involvement in the 44-day war, the recent statements from Turkey about the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” have a negative impact on regional stability.

Nevertheless, in his public speeches, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed the view of the Armenian side that in case of Turkey’s readiness to normalize relations, and adequate measures in that direction, Armenia is ready to discuss the possibilities of building bilateral relations”, Mirzoyan said.

He also added that “at the moment, there is no negotiation process with Turkey”.

Azerbaijan’s provocative behavior has its impact on the countries of the region – Armenian FM

 18:36, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh had serious consequences for the Armenian people, as well as created new security and stability challenges in the region, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan told Nouvelles d’Arménie.

“Although the military operations ended on November 9 by the trilateral declaration of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, the situation remains fragile. This is due to the non-fulfillment of some of the commitments assumed by Azerbaijan in the above-mentioned declaration, in particular, the distortion of certain provisions, the ongoing hostage-keeping of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, as well as belligerent and expansionist rhetoric, aspirations to the sovereign territory of Armenia and renewed threats of use of force.

The provocative behavior of the Azerbaijani side has an impact not only on Armenia but also on other countries in the region, which we saw, for example, when inadmissible steps towards transit cargo were taken”, Mirzoyan said, expressing regret that the encouragement of this behavior, as well as anti-Armenian, belligerent rhetoric by third countries creates additional obstacles for the stability of the region.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Armenia continues its efforts to establish lasting stability in the region. “The Action Plan of our Government clearly states the readiness to have a contribution to the opening of an era of peaceful development for the region. I am confident that in case of _expression_ of relevant political will by other countries and implementation of constructive steps, all the necessary preconditions will be created to start active discussions on the above-mentioned agenda,” he said.

Referring to the question if Nagorno-Karabakh peace process has resumed, Mirzoyan said that despite the claims of the Azerbaijani leadership that there is no Nagorno Karabakh or Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, as well as many other states, share the position of the Armenian side that the conflict remains unresolved and a comprehensive settlement is necessary in the sidelines of the Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format through peaceful negotiations.

 19:01, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister welcomed the US State Department’s delegation, noting that the Armenian Government attaches great importance and highly appreciates the friendly relations established between Armenia and the United States. According to Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian-American strategic dialogue started in 2019, which is aimed at further development and promotion of the relations. “I would like to emphasize the role of the US Government in promoting democratic reform in Armenia. Recently we registered a concrete result in this regard, in the face of the establishment of the Patrol Police’’, the PM said. Nikol Pashinyan also praised the role of the United States in the return of 15 Armenian captives from Azerbaijan in June this year. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that the United States continues to make efforts in this direction.

During the meeting the interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, the return of Armenian captives, hostages and other detainees kept in Azerbaijan, and democratic reforms in Armenia.

Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the recent organization of a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York, and the forthcoming visit of the Co-chairs to the region. Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need to return the captives held in Azerbaijan, noting that Azerbaijan continues to violate the relevant point of the November 9, 2020 declaration. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia also referred to the opportunities of opening regional communications and carrying out the demarcation and delimitation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, presenting the clear positions of the Armenian side. Nikol Pashinyan also spoke about the Government’s future programs and steps aimed at the development of democratic institutions, emphasizing that our country will continue to move consistently and resolutely towards the development and strengthening of democracy.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson noted the US readiness to contribute to the resolution of humanitarian issues in the region, as well as to the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. At the same time, she stressed the interest of the USA in continuing to support the Armenian Government in its democratic reforms.

 19:07, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 3 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. Armenian has allied relations with Russian Federation and cooperation in military-political, security, and also economic, energy, infrastructure, humanitarian and cultural fields is an important component of the Armenian-Russian multi-layered cooperation, ARMENPRESS reports, Armenian Foreign Minister told “Nouvelles d’Arménie” magazine.

“At the same time Armenia highlights the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with EU and EU Member States in different dimensions based on common democratic values.

In this regard, I would like to emphasize the importance of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. This comprehensive document creates a strong legal basis for the Armenia-EU partnership, as well as for cooperation with EU Member States. The effective implementation of the agreement will strengthen the cooperation in different fields such as justice, security, economy, agriculture and infrastructure, environment and climate, education and science, culture, healthcare, etc.” said Mirzoyan.

He named the Eastern Partnership an important platform, mentioning that Armenia continues active involvement and work in the direction of strengthening the inclusiveness of the format and deepening the cooperation.

Talking about Armenia-Iran relations Armenian Foreign Minister said that there are historical friendly relations based on mutual trust between the two countries. “There is readiness of both sides to further develop and deepen the Armenian-Iranian relations based on friendship and mutual respect, cooperation in trade and economy, politics as well as in mutually beneficiary other fields”, Mirzoyan emphasized.

He added that Armenia is full of hope, that the nuclear talks will restart, will have a successful course, and will create an opportunity to raise the sanctions from Iran, which can be an important stimulus for the development of economic cooperation between Armenia and Iran.

 19:52, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia bloc will hold a rally in the Freedom Square on November 8 at 18:00, ARMENPRESS reports, the bloc informed in a statement.

In the statement of the alliance is mentioned that “it is necessary to form national resistance and reach a change of power which is the precondition of getting our country out of this condition, ensuring dignified peace, overcoming the socio-economic crisis.”

Russia supports the idea of establishing a 3 + 3 consultation mechanism in the region – Russian MFA

 21:37, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Federation will make an extended comment over the anniversary of the agreement signed on November 9, 2020 between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, ARMENPRESS reports representative of the MFA Russia Maria Zakharova said in a briefing.

“Now I can say that works are underway in all directions”, Zakharova said.

She reminded that recently the Russian Foreign Minister had telephone conversations with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts. “The ministers agreed that the situation in the region has stabilized over the past year, and the ceasefire regime is generally maintained. Baku and Yerevan highly appreciate the role of Russian peacekeepers. Individual incidents are handled through partnership-based contacts. Efforts are being made to unblock transport links”, Zakharova said, reminding of the meeting of the Deputy PMs of the three countries in Moscow in October. “We see a comprehensive solution to the problem with the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the beginning of the demarcation process. Of course, active works are done by the OCE Minsk Group”, Zakharova said.

Answering the question about the possible signing of new documents in the near future, as well as a possible meeting of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “I do not have such information yet. Let’s let the question be answered by the leaders and their press services. If they have such information, they will share it with us”.

Referring to the announcements on the putting into operation the 3 + 3 platform in the region and the issue related to the position of the Russian Foreign Ministry on it, Zakharova said. “We support the idea put forward by the presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan to establish such a regional consultation mechanism. It is called 3 + 3, we are talking about the countries of the South Caucasus and their neighbors: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Iran. Of course, we think it is time to put these plans into practice. Multilateral regional cooperation is in the interests of all participants of this platform. In our opinion, its implementation will increase confidence in interstate relations, in the settlement of conflicts, will open the economic and transport potential of the region. The platform can and must offer solutions to both old problems and new challenges”.