Category: 2021

 13:08, 1 November, 2021

GYUMRI, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Gyumri City Council elected Vardges Samsonyan from the Balasanyan alliance as the new mayor of the second largest city of Armenia.

The HHK, Zartonk and Aprelu Yerkir factions voted down his candidacy.

Reporting by Armenuhi Mkhoyan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 13:23, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received today newly-appointed Ambassador of Norway to Armenia Helene Sand Andresen, the Parliament’s press service said.

The sides discussed a number of issues relating to the development of the Armenian-Norwegian relations. Both emphasized the importance of implementing programs aimed at boosting the inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The Speaker of Parliament also highlighted the necessity of deepening the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries in various international platforms.

The discussion also touched upon the regional security and stability. In this context the sides highlighted the role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in the comprehensive settlement process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Alen Simonyan stressed the urgency of the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan.

The meeting also covered topics relating to democracy and human rights.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:13, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, to attend the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

The President held a brief talk with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Guterres welcome the heads of state who arrived in Glasgow for taking part in the summit.

UK and Italy will co-chair the conference.

The Armenian President will deliver speech at the World Leaders Summit which will be held within the frames of COP26. Sarkissian is also expected to have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 14:34, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has announced the end of the nomination period for the seventh Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. Hundreds of people from across the globe have nominated 592 unique candidates. Nominations officially opened on April 24, 2021, the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, following the announcement of five 2021 Aurora Humanitarians, chosen by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee for their courage, commitment and impact. Overall, a total of 633 submissions have been received for the 2022 Aurora Prize, hailing from 62 countries including Armenia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, USA and Ukraine, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative’s press office said in a statement.

“As someone who has just been honored with the Aurora Prize, it makes me very happy to know that so many deserving candidates have been nominated this year. The Prize reflects a cycle of kindness that brings a message of peace, solidarity, and support to the world and, most importantly, to all these people who work around the clock. And now, they have a chance to be named the 2022 Aurora Prize Laureate and make an even bigger difference in the world,” said 2021 Aurora Prize Laureate Julienne Lusenge, co-founder of Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and Fund for Congolese Women (FFC), whose outstanding work has been recently recognized at the Aurora Prize events in Venice, Italy.

Each nomination will now be carefully reviewed by a panel of professionals and experts in the humanitarian field. These specialists will prepare a shortlist of nominees who have demonstrated exceptional courage, commitment and impact. After that, the shortlist will be assessed by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, who will select the 2022 Aurora Humanitarians and ultimately the Aurora Prize Laureate. 

“In the midst of the dreadful challenges the world has faced over the past year and a half, extraordinary individuals such as the 2022 Aurora Prize nominees provide a source of inspiration and motivation in the selfless and courageous work they undertake. Alongside my fellow members of the Selection Committee, there is always much impassioned discussion and debate in selecting the Aurora Humanitarians and ultimately the Laureate, seeking to distinguish between so many remarkable acts of kindness, resilience and compassion. The process, however, is also most gratifying and a great privilege to be able to shine a light on some incredible, life-changing endeavours” noted Lord Ara Darzi, Chair of Aurora Prize Selection Committee and Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.

The names of the 2022 Aurora Humanitarians will be revealed on April 24, 2022, and the 2022 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will be awarded on behalf of the survivors of Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors later in 2022.

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About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a foundation that seeks to address on-the-ground humanitarian challenges around the world with the focus on helping the most destitute. Its mission is rooted in the Armenian history as the Initiative was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors and strives to transform this experience into a global movement.

All Aurora’s activities are based on the universal concept of Gratitude in Action. It implies that countless people around the world who have received aid in time of crisis can best express their gratitude by offering similar assistance to someone else. By involving Aurora supporters around the world, this will become a global endeavor that will snowball to expand the circle of saviors and most importantly – the number of those saved.

Addressing urgent humanitarian challenges, the Initiative provides a second chance to those who need it the most. True to its vision – “We believe that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who are committed to giving others help and hope” – Aurora welcomes all who embrace this philosophy.

This commitment aims to promote action-based philanthropy focused on tangible results. This is achieved through the Initiative’s various programs: Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, Aurora for Artsakh, #AraratChallenge movement, Aurora Dialogues, Aurora Grants, Aurora Community, Aurora Index, and the 100 LIVES Initiative.

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the vision of philanthropists Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan who have been joined by thousands of supporters and partners. Aurora’s Chair, Dr. Tom Catena, draws on his experience as a surgeon, veteran, humanitarian and the 2017 Aurora Prize laureate to spread the message of Gratitude in Action to a global audience.

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is represented by three organizations – the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Foundation, Inc. (New York, USA), the 100 Lives Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland) and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Charitable Foundation (Yerevan, Armenia).

About the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity

The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is a global humanitarian award. Its mission is to recognize and support those who risk their own lives, health or freedom to save the lives, health or freedom of others suffering as a result of violent conflict, atrocity crimes or other major human rights violations. The Aurora Prize Laureate is selected based on the nominee’s demonstration of courage, commitment and impact.

On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, an Aurora Prize Laureate is honored with a US $1,000,000 award, which gives the Laureate a unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by supporting the organizations that help people in need.

The Aurora Prize Selection Committee is comprised of Nobel Laureates Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former president of Ireland Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; former president of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo; Médecins Sans Frontières Co-founder and former foreign minister of France Bernard Kouchner; journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Dele Olojede, former CEO of Unilever and Co-founder and Chair of IMAGINE Paul Polman; human rights activist and Co-founder of The Sentry John Prendergast and President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian (1934-2021). The Committee is chaired by the Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London Lord Ara Darzi.

World famous peace and human rights activist Benjamin Ferencz and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney are the Committee’s Honorary Co-Chairs, and its honorary members include two-time President of Costa Rica and Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias; Artistic and General Director of Mariinsky Theatre and Principal Conductor of the Munich Philharmoniker Valery Gergiev and former foreign minister of Australia and President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group Gareth Evans.

 14:59, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received today Ambassador of Italy to Armenia Alfonso Di Riso, the Parliament’s press service said.

“Welcoming the Ambassador, Alen Simonyan highly valued the Armenian-Italian relations in all areas, expressing confidence that the Ambassador’s mission will give a new impetus to the friendly ties”, the statement says.

The meeting sides attached importance to the multilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation.

In turn the Italian Ambassador thanked for the reception and attached importance to the implementation of the Armenian-Italian parliamentary agendas.

The sides discussed the necessity of returning the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians from the Azerbaijani captivity. Alen Simonyan emphasized the importance of the resolution adopted by the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, which calls on Azerbaijan to release the Armenian POWs.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:28, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan received today Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, the ministry said in a news release.

The minister welcomed the Ambassador and highlighted the reliable partnering relations between Armenia and Iran, as well as the bilateral cooperation in different sectors, stating that the two countries have a big agenda of bilateral relations.

In his remarks the Iranian Ambassador said that there is a good cooperation with the Armenian ministry of territorial administration and infrastructures, expressing confidence that it will continue also in the future. He said that the deep historical-cultural ties between Armenia and Iran contribute to the development of bilateral relations in various directions.

The meeting also touched upon the regional developments. The Ambassador highlighted the situation in the region and stated that the Syunik province is important also for them and informed that mutual visits of various delegations are expected soon which will be able to take part in different programs being implemented in the province.

The minister attached importance to the role of infrastructures in Syunik, stating that active road construction works are being held in the province.

The officials also exchanged ideas about the prospects of expanding the cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as on Iran’s entry to the EAEU market via Armenia as a member of the Union.

Some details of the upcoming visit of minister Sanosyan to Iran were also discussed.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:50, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, 1 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 November, USD exchange rate down by 0.35 drams to 477.45 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.56 drams to 552.17 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 6.74 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 6.88 drams to 652.10 drams.

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

Gold price down by 547.58 drams to 27157.11 drams. Silver price down by 1.27 drams to 368.56 drams. Platinum price down by 134.24 drams to 15488.53 drams.

 19:51, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVERMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. By the decree of the President of Armenia, Paruyr Hovhannisyan was recalled from the post of Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s office. 

Paruyr Hovhannisyan was Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Armenia to the Council of Europe since July 2016. From 2014 to 2016, he was Director of the European Department at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among other positions, he also served as Advisor to the Minister on EU issues, Ministry of Economy, and as Deputy Head of the Mission of Armenia to the EU. He holds a degree in International Relations and Governance from St. John’s University, New York, and a degree in International Relations from Yerevan State University.

 20:24, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone conversation with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the MFA Armenia.

The Ministers discussed issues related to the implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, taking into account that soon it will be a year since the signing of the November trilateral document on full ceasefire. Special attention was paid to the solution of urgent humanitarian issues – return of detainees, provision of maps of minefields, preservation of cultural and religious heritage.

The two FMs exchanged approaches on 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.

The importance of continuing the efforts aimed at the political-diplomatic settlement of the border incidents between Armenia and Azerbaijan was emphasized. The sides touched upon the current aspects of the Armenian-Russian cooperation, taking into account the forthcoming bilateral contacts at different levels. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries noted the progressive development of the allied cooperation. They also discussed various international and regional issues.

 21:44, 1 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Prosecutors General of Armenia and Iran, recording the achievements, have reached agreements to jointly withstand new challenges, ARMENPRESS reports the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia Arthur Davtyan said in an interview with the Public TV, referring to the recent visit of the Prosecutor General of Iran Mohammad Jafar Montazeri to Armenia.

“Among these agreements, I attach great importance to the joint will to clear the region from terrorists, to the need to fully implement the legal mechanisms, about which he, my Iranian counterpart, spoke very clearly. Back in the first days of the war, when we already received the first factual information about the presence of mercenary terrorists in the region, especially in the southern part of Artsakh, taking into account also our partnering relations, I informed my colleague about it, because it was the border area with Iran. There were reasonable doubts and risks that the terrorists recognized no borders, there could be any movement. This was appreciated by my colleague, and the necessary preventive measures were taken. Today, they also have clear facts about the activities of terrorists in the region and the area I mentioned, and their existence today, and the need to fight against this evil through joint legal mechanisms was recorded”, Davtyan said.