Armenian Parliament Speaker highlights recognition of Artsakh’s status at meeting with new French Ambassador

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 13:46,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received today Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot.

“Congratulating the Ambassador on appointment, Alen Simonyan expressed confidence that her activity will contribute to the deepening and strengthening of the cooperation between Armenia and France”, the Parliament’s press service said in a statement.

Alen Simonyan also highlighted the multi-sectoral mutual partnership with France, adding that he is personally ready to invest all his efforts to deepen and dynamically develop those relations. In this context the role of the Armenian community in France was emphasized.

The Speaker also expressed gratitude for the numerous resolutions and calls adopted by the two chambers of the French Parliament on condemning the 2020 Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh, as well as on the necessity of the recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Simonyan highlighted the lasting and fair resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and the recognition of the status of Artsakh based on the right to self-determination.

The meeting also touched upon the activities of the Armenian and French parliaments, which play an important role in developing and enriching the political dialogue between the two countries.

In her turn the French Ambassador thanked the Speaker of Parliament for the reception and stated that the National Assembly is a center of democracy. She expressed readiness to contribute to the deepening of the cooperation with the Armenian parliament with her future activities.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

$50 million to be invested into Armenian economy

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 14:29,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. The “Entrepreneur + State Anti-Crisis Investments Fund” managed by ANIF’s subsidiary, will invest USD 4 million in the EU-Armenia SME Fund (hereinafter: the Fund) supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) and the European Union and managed by Amber Capital Armenia. The committed capital of the Fund will hence reach the target size of USD 50million, which will be invested directly into the Armenian economy. The goal is to make equity investments in private companies operating in the Republic of Armenia to support business expansion plans.

FMO ,the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, has also committed USD 7 mln to the Fund. FMO invests in the fund to support building the PE industry in Armenia, which in turn will help to make financing available for SMEs and facilitate the creation of jobs (SDG8).

CEO of ANIF, David Papazian, said: “Today there are almost no alternative business financing tools in Armenia, such as private equity funds. Our subscription is of strategic importance, as it takes place along a subscription by a strategic European investor such as FMO. The investment is especially valuable for ANIF taken into account the contribution to the development of the Armenian economy, as well as its capital markets”.

Managing Partner of Amber Capital Armenia Anush Simonyan said: “We would like to thank ANIF for this investment. We believe it reflects the trust in the EU Armenia SME Fund, and lays foundation for a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between Amber Capital and ANIF.”

EU’s Special Representative to visit Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku

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 14:30,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar will pay a visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

“Takeoff again for meetings in Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan. The EU is engaged to work with its partners for a South Caucasus that is prosperous and at peace”, Toivo Klaar said on Twitter.

COVID-19: Another batch of Sinopharm vaccine delivered to Armenia

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 15:52,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has acquired another batch of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19, a total of 200,000 doses, the ministry of health said in a statement today.

“The imported batch of the vaccine will soon be available at primary healthcare centers and mobile vaccination sites”, the statement said.

The following vaccines are available in Armenia: AstraZenca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, CoronaVac, Moderna.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Decline of state debt, increase in tax revenues, 7% economic growth: Finance minister comments on 2020 budget draft

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 15:54,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s 2020 state budget draft, which has been approved by the government and has been submitted for the Parliament’s debate, is expected to greatly lower the state debt and increase the tax revenues, Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

[See Video]
“Compared to 2020, as a precondition for a stable macroeconomic policy, we plan to greatly lower the debt with the results of 2022. As of 2020, we had a 63.5% debt against GDP. We believe that 2022 would be the year that this figure will be approximately 60% against GDP, which is a very important precondition for ensuring favorable environment for macroeconomic stability and long-term economic growth”, the minister said.

The government plans to greatly increase its tax revenue opportunities. It’s expected that in 2021 the taxes against GDP must be nearly 22.5%, whereas in 2022 it’s expected to be nearly 23.4% with the improvement of tax collection process.

The law on the State Budget envisages financing the infrastructure programs worth over 350 billion drams, whereas in 2021 this money was nearly 215 billion drams.

The economic growth is expected to be 7% in 2022. This is the minimum assessment put on the basis of the government’s five-year action plan.

As for the inflation, the minister said that it is high this year. The Central Bank is running a respective policy to return it to manageability by the end of the year. “In 2022-2023 the inflation is expected to return to a medium-term policy target framework, in other words the Central Bank would seek to return it to about 4% within two years. It would be much stable than it is expected in 2021”, the minister added.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Earthquake at Azerbaijan-Georgia border felt in Armenian towns

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 16:05,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. A magnitude 3,2 earthquake struck 30 km north-east from the town of Ghazakh at the Azerbaijan-Georgia border zone at 14:49, October 18.

The Armenian Seismic Protection Service said the tremors were recorded at an intensity of 4 on the MSK scale.

The earthquake was felt at MSK 2 in the Armenian towns of Ijevan, Berd and Noyemberyan, and MSK 2-3 in Shnogh.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenia participates in CSTO Quick Reaction Forces drills

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 16:13,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenian military servicemen are participating in the CSTO Quick Reaction Forces exercises which kicked off in Tajikistan on October 18.

A total of 500 units of military equipment and more than 4000 troops from member states are participating in the drills titled “Search 2021”, “Convoy 2021” and “Partnership 2021”.

Officers of the Armenian contingent will plan and lead the actions of the units in the joint command, the ministry of defense said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Russia sends 10 tons of humanitarian to Artsakh

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 16:23,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Russia has delivered 10 tons of humanitarian aid for the residents of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.

The humanitarian aid has been collected by charity organizations.

The cargo will be transported to Stepanakert. The humanitarian aid includes food, baby toys, stationery, as well as equipment for the educational institutions of the border communities of Artsakh.

“The goods will be provided to kindergartens, schools, large families, those who have lost loved ones, the people in need and the families of internally displaced”, representative of the Russian peacekeeping troops Dmitry Tusidi said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Authorities deny reports on surrendering Mount Pela in Syunik to Azerbaijan

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 16:58,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenian authorities are denying media reports which claimed that the Mount Pela in Syunik Province is being surrendered to Azerbaijan.

“In response to some media reports claiming that Kapan’s Mount Pela has been surrendered to Azerbaijan, the National Security Service of Armenia is informing that no positional changes have taken place in the area called Mount Pela in the Syunik Province and the Armenian Border Guards continue conducting border protection in the mentioned part,” the National Security Service said in a statement.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Azerbaijan’s violation of commitments assumed upon accession to CoE must be properly addressed – Armenian deputy FM

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 17:00,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan committed themselves, upon their accession to the Council of Europe, to use only peaceful means for settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The 44-day war in 2020 demonstrates that Azerbaijan has neglected this commitment, thus, it should be properly addressed by the Council of Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan said in his remarks delivered at the meeting with the ambassadors on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s membership to the CoE.

Armenpress presents the text of the deputy FM’s speech:

“Distinguished Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am glad to welcome you at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. 

Dear Colleagues,

Following the World War II, the European leaders initiated the process of promoting the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout Europe, as cornerstones of the peaceful future of Europe. Thus, the first Pan-European institution – the Council of Europe was founded on May 5, 1949, by the Treaty of London, which already has 47 full members. The city of Strasbourg in the Alsace region was symbolically chosen as the headquarters of the organization.

During 72 years of its existence, the Council of Europe has consolidated the conventional system of the European Continent – the European standards and norms that have laid grounds for accomplishing the goals of the Council of Europe.

Since the declaration of independence, Armenia has chosen the path of democracy. That choice was obvious. Armenia with its history and culture, the Armenian society with its values are an inseparable part of the European family. From 1991 until its full membership to the Council of Europe, Armenia substantiated its choice and became a full member of the Council of Europe on 25 January 2001. Ten years after the declaration of independence, the flag of the Republic of Armenia was hoisted in front of the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg.

On many occasions, particularly in the last two parliamentary elections the people of Armenia once again reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, human rights and rule of law.

The activities of the Council of Europe are aimed at ensuring the individual and collective fundamental human rights. Armenia follows the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s statutory bodies, independent monitoring bodies and advisory committees. A number of governmental bodies of Armenia are engaged in the activities of this multifaceted organization. 

The Action Plan – one of the toolkits of the Council of Europe, through which the organization helps Armenia and other countries to fulfill their commitments and introduce European standards, is essential for Armenia. Currently, the fourth 2019-2022 Action Plan for Armenia is ongoing. Distinguished Ambassadors, this project is implemented through the voluntary contribution of your countries and the EU and I would like to express our gratitude in this regard. 

While glancing back at the 20-years long journey of Armenia since its membership to the Council of Europe, I should underline that enormous work has been carried out with the support of the organization. Armenia has joined 83 conventions of the Council of Europe, 66 of which have been ratified. Besides, Armenia has also joined 12 partial Agreements of the Council of Europe. 

The activities of the European Court of Human Rights are of utmost importance in terms of ensuring the rights of the citizens of Armenia. The court also has a significant role in protecting the rights of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives being held in Azerbaijan as a result of the 44-day war unleashed against Artsakh. 

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished Ambassadors,

It is important to highlight that both Armenia and Azerbaijan committed themselves, upon their accession to the Council of Europe, to use only peaceful means for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Therefore, the 44-day war in 2020 demonstrates that Azerbaijan has neglected this commitment, thus, it should be properly addressed by the Council of Europe.

You are well aware of the challenges Armenia encounters today. The humanitarian consequences of the war of aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh are one of the most urgent issues. The involvement of our international partners, including the Council of Europe, is of utmost importance. We consider that there should not be any “grey zones” in Europe for people to exercise their fundamental rights. 

The Secretary-General, the Commissioner for Human Rights, the PACE, the European Court of Human Rights, and relevant monitoring bodies have already tried to react in accordance with their mandates. Yet, the Committee of Ministers still has its role to play and I believe your presence here will help to move forward”.