Category: 2021

 14:52, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. During today’s hearings at the International Court of Justice, convened over Armenia’s request to indicate provisional measures against Azerbaijan, Armenia presented numerous evidence proving Azerbaijan’s intention to ethnic cleansing, torture of Armenian captives.

It was presented to the Court that Azerbaijan, according to the international humanitarian law and the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement, has been obliged to return all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held, however, it still keeps holding the POWs and civilian captives. The rapporteurs mentioned both the unconfirmed captives and the 45 confirmed captives.

“The fact that Azerbaijan has detained these 45 persons is indisputable”, the rapporteur representing Armenia’s interests said, adding that their names and other information are presented in the documents, they are persons with clear names, faces and have families.

The rapporteur reminded that the special forces of Azerbaijan captured Armenian servicemen near Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd villages even in December 2020. It was emphasized that these two villages were not included in the areas which the Armenian troops needed to leave in accordance with the trilateral statement.

Numerous videos proving the killings and ill treatment of Armenian servicemen by the Azerbaijani servicemen have been presented to the Court.

“Today you can hear that all these POWs are criminals and holding them in detention has no link with ethnic cleansing, meanwhile all evidence prove the ethnic cleansing”, the rapporteur said.

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is holding public hearings over Armenia’s request to indicate provisional measures against Azerbaijan.

On September 16, 2021, Armenia instituted proceedings against the Republic of Azerbaijan before the International Court of Justice with regard to alleged violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Armenia also requested the Court to indicate certain provisional measures “as a matter of extreme urgency”, including the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives from Azerbaijan, as well as the closure of the so-called “Military Trophies Park” in Baku.

The hearings will last until October 15.

Armenia is represented by a group at the hearings, which involves famous international experts who will help to present the country’s interests.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 15:09, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei presented details from the CIS foreign ministerial meeting, BelTA reports.

“We consistently highlight the importance of cohesion and interaction within the CIS for an effective response to common challenges and threats. In this context, we have expressed our serious concern over the constantly expanding use of unlimited and illegal unilateral sanctions against the CIS countries from outside,” Vladimir Makei said.

According to him, during the ministerial meeting, the foreign ministers had a meaningful conversation about the international agenda and cooperation in the Commonwealth. The situation near the CIS external borders was also discussed in detail, with a focus on the developments in Central Asia.

 15:18, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS participating states in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on October 14, the Armenian foreign ministry reports.

During the narrow and extended-format sessions the Foreign Ministers of the CIS states exchanged views on regional and international issues, discussed the political, commercial, cultural and humanitarian partnership within the Organization.

The ministers summed up the activities and programs carried out so far since the establishment of the Organization, discussed the CIS development prospects and priority activity directions.

In his remarks the Armenian FM touched upon the further development of the structure and highlighted the importance of the adherence to the principles set on the CIS fundamental document relating to sovereignty and peoples’ right to equality and self-determination, inviolability of state borders, non-use of force and threat of force, peaceful settlement of disputes. The FM emphasized these principles in the context of the recent military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. Highlighting the necessity of observing the provisions of the November 9 trilateral statement, in particular the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and other persons held in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of the Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage in the territories under the Azerbaijani control, FM Ararat Mirzoyan said that the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship will greatly contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in South Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministers of CIS states adopted several statements based on the session results, which will be submitted for the approval of the Council of the CIS heads of state next day.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 16:39, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are holding a meeting in Minsk, Belarus, on the sidelines of the session of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers, reports TASS.

“Recently we had a detailed talk with you in Moscow, but today we can discuss both bilateral and some additional regional issues, of course. Karabakh must always be in our focus”, the Russian FM said at the beginning of the meeting.

Later the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani FMs are expected to hold a meeting in Minsk.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:03, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. During today’s hearings at the International Court of Justice, convened over Armenia’s request to indicate provisional measures against Azerbaijan, Armenia has presented at best its position, convincing evidence and facts, expecting that the Court will take into account all these facts, Representative of Armenia before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Yeghishe Kirakosyan told Armenpress.

Kirakosyan is representing Armenia’s interests at the Court hearings.

“In the first part of the first day of the hearings Armenia presented its claims and legal facts, proofs which justify the circumstances of Armenia’s demand to apply urgent measures. This was the first stage, which will be followed by Azerbaijan’s response in the second half of the day. In the morning again Armenia must present its counter-arguments. I think it will be summed up with Azerbaijan’s response by the end of the day”, he said.

The Court’s response will be in the form of a decision. The Court is expected to make a decision in 1-1.5 months.

“I think Armenia with its team managed to present at best and in details the Armenian positions, the facts and evidence. We will wait for the response. We are confident that we have presented maximally in the best way”, Yeghishe Kirakosyan said.

During today’s hearings Armenia presented facts both about the confirmed captives and the unconfirmed captives. The representatives of Armenia stated that there are proofs about the captivity of these persons. They cited photos, videos, which prove ill treatment against the Armenian captives. Kirakosyan assured that Armenia presented numerous facts and videos, and all judges have been provided with all these evidence.

Armenia went to the international court with an expectation of justice. “I think this is a very important step. The future course will show, but the expectation from the Court is to take into account the convincing proofs and facts presented by Armenia and take actions on this direction. What we expect from the Court is the decision to apply an urgent measure. We wish that all our demands are met, because we are sure that our demands are well-grounded. Justice is our expectation”, he said.

He stated that the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, based on the violation of which Armenia appealed to the Court, plays a vital role in the international law. “The obligations deriving from the Convention are fundamental, therefore, the strict observance of this document is very important both for atmosphere, peace and security”, Yeghishe Kirakosyan said.

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is holding public hearings over Armenia’s request to indicate provisional measures against Azerbaijan.

On September 16, 2021, Armenia instituted proceedings against the Republic of Azerbaijan before the International Court of Justice with regard to alleged violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

Armenia also requested the Court to indicate certain provisional measures “as a matter of extreme urgency”, including the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives from Azerbaijan, as well as the closure of the so-called “Military Trophies Park” in Baku.

The hearings will last until October 15.

Armenia is represented by a group at the hearings, which involves famous international experts who will help to present the country’s interests.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:08, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The development of common energy resource markets in the territory of the Eurasian Economic Union is a necessary pre-condition for the full utilization of the economic integration potential in the union, from which all member states will benefit in the long-term prospect, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the October 14 online meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Pashinyan thanked Belarus for organizing the session and welcomed the presidents of Uzbekistan and Cuba, who participated by virtue of having an observer status.

He expressed hope that disputed issues and development of the future agreement on the matter will be resolved in reasonable timeframes.

Pashinyan noted that eliminating the obstructions for mutual trade in the union is a priority.

“The implementation of existing agreements in this area will strengthen the foundations of the union’s activities, and the absence of obstacles within the union will raise not only mutual trust between member states, but will also increase competitiveness in external markets,” Pashinyan said, stressing that it is necessary to boost efforts for eliminating obstacles, harmonizing productive supply chains, increasing transit potential taking into account the interests of business communities and citizens’ rights of member states.

The Armenian PM expressed certainty that applying and developing digital technologies would contribute to this process.

PM Pashinyan said right now the union must also protect its internal markets from the negative effects related to economic pressure from third countries. “Armenia is ready to closely cooperate in direction of finding ways for developing a common approach in this issue,” he said.

Addressing global challenges, Pashinyan also spoke about climate change, which in his words is impacting also not only the economy but social processes. He called for partnership in developing measures to mitigate climate change consequences, encouraging the restoration of green spaces and adapting low emission-level economies.

In this context he highlighted the Eurasian Economic Commission’s work in the direction of developing an ecologically clean transportation. The Armenian PM asked the commission to jointly intensify the work with member states and involve business communities and scientific circles.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:16, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received today Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Armenia Patrik Svensson, the Parliament’s press service said.

Welcoming the Ambassador, the Speaker has underlined that Sweden is one of the important and trustworthy partners for Armenia.

The Parliament Speaker touched upon the close and effective cooperation existing between the delegations of two countries on the different international parliamentary platforms.

Speaking about Armenia-Sweden cooperation, Alen Simonyan highly assessed the support of the friendly country in the democratic processes going on in Armenia, as well as valued the financial assistance shown by the Government of Sweden in the development of a number of spheres.

In the context of bilateral cooperation, the Speaker has affirmed that the cooperation with Sweden is important also in the format of Armenia-European Union relations.

Patrik Svensson highlighted the development of the bilateral parliamentary ties and the expansion of cooperation in many spheres.

The sides also discussed a number of issues regarding the deepening of Armenia-Sweden cooperation.

 17:33, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, 14 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 14 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.42 drams to 478.76 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.01 drams to 555.89 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 6.69 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.97 drams to 656.95 drams.

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

Gold price up by 252.43 drams to 27486.37 drams. Silver price up by 3.47 drams to 352.26 drams. Platinum price down by 13.63 drams to 15531.02 drams.

 18:16, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. A meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan took place on October 14 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on the initiative of the Russian side.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press servic eof the MFA Armenia, the Foreign Ministers discussed issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, including the implementation process of the November 9, 2020 trilateral declaration.

Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan highly appreciated the Russian mediation efforts aimed at the ceasefire, and in the context of ensuring the security of the Armenians of Artsakh, emphasized the presence of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh.

At the same time, Minister Mirzoyan drew the parties’ attention to the fact that some provisions of the November 9 declaration have not been implemented yet, emphasizing the need for a speedy and unconditional repatriation of the Armenian POWs and other detainees.

Referring to the meeting with the mediation and participation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in New York, Minister Mirzoyan once again reaffirmed that the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be carried out within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, based on the components and elements known to the parties.

 19:36, 14 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh denies the statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Minsitry about discovering and capturing an UAV.

“On October 14, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan spread another misinformation that an UAV belonging to the Defense Army, which was conducting reconnaissance flights, was allegedly discoveredand captured by the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces. We officially announce that it’s disinformation and has nothing to do with the reality’’, ARMENPRESS reports the press service of the Defense Minstry of Arstakh announced.