Category: 2021

Prime Minister Pashinyan to visit Georgia

Emma Jilavian

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 17:27, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will travel to Georgia on September 8 on a two-day official visit, his office said.

The Armenian PM will have meetings with President Salome Zourabichvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. 

After holding high-level negotiations, Prime Minister Pashinyan and Prime Minister Garibashvili will deliver statements to the press.

As part of the visit, PM Pashinyan will pay homage at the Heroes Square in Tbilisi.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Azerbaijan trying to create feeling of impossibility of living peacefully in the homeland. Artsakh Prosecutor’s Office

Khondkarian Raffi

Azerbaijan trying to create feeling of impossibility of living peacefully in the homeland. Artsakh Prosecutor’s Office

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 18:03, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. On September 6, at around 19:30, the Azerbaijani side opened fire at the Armenian positions and the direction of peaceful settlements from the positions located in the direction of Karmir Shuka-Taghavard settlements of the Martuni region of Artsakh, targeting also one of the houses of Taghavard village, where 6 civilians reside.

‘’ It is obvious that the Azerbaijani side is trying to intimidate the civilian population with such actions, to keep them in tension, thus trying to create a sense of constant danger, fear and impossibility of living peacefully in the homeland’’, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

Renewed efforts necessary to release Armenian prisoners of war without preconditions – EPP

Emil Lazarian

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 18:55, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. A meeting of the European People’s Party (EPP) Political Assembly was held in Brussels on September 6-7 to discuss political developments in the member states, as well as the position on Afghanistan and the situation in Armenia and Belarus, ARMENPRESS reports the EPP statement reads.

“The EPP Political Assembly has been informed of the situation with the Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, who are still detained, which violates the November 9 trilateral declaration and international humanitarian law. Renewed efforts by European institutions is necessary for ensuring the proper release of prisoners of war without preconditions,” the statement said.

The next conference of EPP delegates will take place on November 17-18 in Rotterdam.

Armenian FM highly appreciates India’s role for comprehensive settlement of NK conflict

Jagharian Tania

Armenian FM highly appreciates India’s role for comprehensive settlement of NK conflict

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 19:05, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received on September 7 Ambassador of India to Armenia Kishan Dan Deval. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan drew the Indian Ambassador’s attention to the situation created by the oenetration of theAzerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia. In this regard, the Minister praised India’s principled position, as well as its continued support for a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Minister Mirzoyan noted that one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy is the deepening and strengthening of traditional friendly relations with India, raising the political dialogue and cooperation to a qualitatively new level.

The spheres of trade and economy, transport-communication, IT, defense, healthcare, culture, education-science were singled out as important directions of cooperation. The significant role of the Armenian-Indian intergovernmental commission was highlighted in terms of full use of the existing potential in the economic sphere.

The interlocutors also discussed the current developments around the North-South international transport corridor.

Referring to the cooperation of the countries on multilateral platforms, the parties recorded with satisfaction the continuation of mutual assistance within the framework of international organizations. In this context, in terms of strengthening international security, Minister Mirzoyan highlighted the fact that India will become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-2022.

The Armenian side also thanked the Government of India for its continued assistance in the field of healthcare.

Vahe Gevorgyan appointed Deputy FM

Kajoyan Gevork

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 19:09, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. By the decision of Prime Miister Nikol Pashinyan, Vahe Gevorgayn has been appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports the decision is published in the official website of the Government.

Gevorgyan held the position of the advisor to the Foreign Minister before the appointment.

‘’IGorts’’ program’s 22 participants of the first stage repatriated. 50 professionals receive certificates

Garo Vardanian

‘’IGorts’’ program’s 22 participants of the first stage repatriated. 50 professionals receive certificates

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 19:19, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER  7, ARMENPRESS. At the government of the Republic of Armenia at the closure ceremony of the ‘’Igorts’’ 2020 program 50 professionals received certificates. ARMENPRESS reports High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, ministers, vice-ministers, program participants, who came to Armenia from 19 countries a year ago and worked at 19 state institutions were present at the closure ceremony.

Head of the Program Implementation and Monitoring Department of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, head of ‘’iGorts’’ program Liana Simonyan said, what ‘’iGorts’’ gave an opportunity to diaspora professionals to work at state institutions of Armenia. ‘’The participants of our program, who were 52, according to the professional needs presented by the state bodies, implemented activities at the state system and had opportunity to invest their experience and knowledge in the improvement and development of respective fields. We chose specific standards – the participant had to have masters or higher degree, be sufficiently patriotic, be ready to live one year and work in Armenia”, Simonyan said.

According to her, the 52 participants were from 19  countries Russia, the Netherlands, USA, Germany, Austria, Lebanon, China, Ukraine, Iran, Georgia, Israel and so on. Speaking about the goals of the program Liana Simonyan mentioned that by ‘’iGorts’’ program they wanted to use the human potential of the diaspora in the development of the management system, also facilitate the professional repatriation.

Zareh Sinanyan thanked the participants. In the framework of ‘’iGorts’’ 2020 programs were implemented in healthcare, education, culture, social work, territorial administration, economy and investment fields. All of our participants are great professionals in their fields. 22 of participants made a decision of repatriation, 14 will stay at state system and 8 will work at private fields’’, mentioned Sinanyan, thanking all the participants and the coworkers of High Commissioner of the Diaspora.

Minister of Healthcare of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan thanked the participants for their work.  ”This program had great success and I hope that in the future greater progress will be made’’,- said Avanesyan.

Hayk Margaryan, who is one of the repatriated by the program, in conversation with ARMENPRESS mentioned that today he was appointed as the director of the centre of innovation and entrepreneurship. While talking about repatriation, he emphasized that for him it was very important to live in Armenia. Now he lives in Armenia with his wife and two children.

Armenpress: Heads of Armenian, Georgian parliaments meet in the sidelines of 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments

Maral Takmazian

Heads of Armenian, Georgian parliaments meet in the sidelines of 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments

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 20:02, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Kakha Kuchava on September 7.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament, during the meeting the President of the National Assembly of Armenia noted that Armenia attaches great importance to the sustainable development of friendly relations with Georgia and the deepening of multidimensional cooperation, adding that the cooperation based on the Armenian-Georgian mutual trust is an important factor for security, peace and sustainable development in the region. Alen Simonyan informed his colleague that he attaches great importance to the close cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries and the Armenian-Georgian friendship group will be re-formed in the parliament soon, which will promote further effective cooperation.

Speaking about the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Alen Simonyan thanked for all the efforts made by Georgia in this process. Speaker of the Georgian parliament Kakha Kuchava once again congratulated Alen Simonyan on the occasion of being elected President of the National Assembly, assessing it as a good opportunity for giving new impetus to bilateral cooperation. He expressed satisfaction over the activities of the parliamentary friendship groups during the previous convocation of the National Assembly, expressing confidence for more effective cooperation in the future.

Alen Simonyan pointed out the construction of the “Friendship Bridge”, which is of strategic importance, expressing conviction that it would best contribute to the deepening of the cooperation of the neighboring states, the growth of trade turnover, development of infrastructures and tourism. He noted that this program, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the governments of Armenia and Georgia, can become a symbol of centuries-old Armenian-Georgian friendship.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 09/07/2021

Emil Lazarian 
                                        Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Two Armenian Soldiers Freed By Azerbaijan
Armenia - A view of an area in Armenia's Syunik province where Armenian and 
Azerbaijani troops are locked in a border standoff, May 14, 2021. (Photo by the 
Armenian Human Rights Defender's Office)
Azerbaijan released on Tuesday two Armenian soldiers who went missing near the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border in July.
The soldiers, Aramayis Torozian and Artur Nalbandian, were flown to Yerevan from 
Baku by a Russian military plane.
The Russian Sputnik news agency reported that they were freed in exchange for an 
Azerbaijani serviceman arrested in Nagorno-Karabakh late last month. It said the 
prisoner swap was brokered by Major-General Rustam Muradov, the outgoing 
commander of Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Karabakh.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Nalbandian and Torozian disappeared 
in thick fog early on July 14 after a military vehicle driven by the latter 
headed to a disputed portion of the border located in Armenia’s Syunik province.
The soldiers were believed to have strayed into Azerbaijani-controlled 
territory. Authorities in Azerbaijani never issued any statements on their 
capture and whereabouts.
The incident occurred in a border area where Azerbaijani forces reportedly 
advanced several kilometers into Armenian territory in May. They have since been 
locked in a standoff with Armenian troops.
Dozens of other Armenian soldiers remain in Azerbaijani captivity. Most of them 
were taken prisoner in Nagorno-Karabakh shortly after last year’s 
Armenian-Azerbaijani war.
Many of these POWs have been given lengthy prison sentences in recent months in 
trials condemned by the Armenian government. Yerevan regularly demands their 
unconditional release, saying that they are held in breach of a Russian-brokered 
agreement that stopped the six-week war. Baku says the agreement does not cover 
them because they were captured after the ceasefire took effect in November.
Armenia Deplores Turkish-Azeri Drills Near Karabakh
A Russian peacekeeper stands guard on a road in the town of Lachin on December 
1, 2020.
Official Yerevan criticized Azerbaijan and Turkey on Tuesday for holding joint 
military exercises near Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the start of the exercises on Monday, 
saying that they are taking place in the Lachin district which was mostly 
retaken by Baku shortly after last year’s war over Karabakh.
A 5-kilometer-wide stretch of the district currently serves as the sole overland 
link between Armenia and Karabakh. It is controlled by Russian peacekeeping 
forces deployed in the disputed territory under the terms of a Russian-brokered 
agreement that stopped the war last November.
The Defense Ministry in Baku said the drills are aimed at improving the 
interoperability of Azerbaijani and Turkish troops “during combat operations.” 
It did not specify the number of soldiers involved in them.
“We regard the conduct of the Turkish-Azerbaijani military exercises near the 
borders of Armenia, Artsakh (Karabakh) and the Lachin corridor as an action 
damaging de-escalation steps … and undermining efforts to establish a lasting 
peace, security and stability in the region,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry 
spokesman, Vahan Hunanian, said in written comments.
There was no public reaction to the drills from Moscow.
The recently appointed Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Igor Khovayev, 
held talks in Yerevan with Armenia’s and Karabakh’s leaders on Monday.
Turkey provided decisive military assistance to Azerbaijan during the war. 
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev thanked Ankara for that aid when he and his 
Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited in June the Karabakh town of 
Shushi (Shusha) captured by the Azerbaijani army in November.
Armenia’s Former Chief Prosecutor Arrested
        • Naira Bulghadarian
Armenia - Outgoing Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian speaks with journalists, 
Yerevan, September 13, 2013.
Aghvan Hovsepian, Armenia’s former prosecutor-general, was arrested on Tuesday 
on a string of corruption charges denied by him.
Hovsepian, 68, served as prosecutor-general from 1998-1999 and 2004-2013. He 
went on to become the first head of a newly created law-enforcement agency, the 
Investigative Committee, in 2014. He ran the committee until the 2018 “velvet 
revolution.”
The Special Investigation Service (SIS) said Hovsepian was charged with bribery, 
money laundering and illegal entrepreneurial activity. It claimed that he also 
misappropriated properties worth 800 million drams ($1.6 million) while in 
office.
A statement by the SIS did not specify the source of a 190 million-dram bribe 
allegedly paid to Hovsepian or name “a number of companies” which it said were 
illegally managed by him during his tenure.
“In the interests of the criminal case, we cannot give other details at this 
point,” a spokeswoman for the law-enforcement agency, Marina Ohanjanian, told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Hovsepian’s lawyer, Gagik Khachikian, said his client strongly denies the 
accusations carrying up to 12 years in prison and will challenge his arrest in 
court.
“Aghvan Hovsepian is in a combative mood,” Khachikian wrote on Facebook. 
“Naturally he does not accept the accusations. I am convinced that all the 
bubbles will quickly burst.”
Hovsepian used to be one of Armenia’s most powerful state officials. As chief 
prosecutor, he played a major role in a government crackdown on the opposition 
launched after the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan. Dozens of opposition 
members, including Nikol Pashinian, were jailed on controversial charges at the 
time.
Hovsepian resigned in June 2018 one month after Pashinian swept to power as a 
result of mass protests that toppled the country’s former leader, Serzh 
Sarkisian.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Turkish-Azerbaijani drills in Lachin region disrupt de-escalation efforts – Armenian MFA Spokesman

Torgomian Varazdat
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 7 2021


September 7, 2021, 17:51

 Less than a minute

The joint Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises in the vicinity of Lachin corridor disrupt de-escalation efforts, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vahan Hunanyan said in comments to Sputnik Armenia.

The remarks come as the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced joint drills with Turkey in the Lachin region.

“We consider the conduct of Turkish-Azerbaijani military drills on the borders of Armenia and Artsakh, as well as in the vicinity of Lachin corridor as actions disrupting the steps towards de-escalation,” the Spokesperson said, adding that it is “inconsistent with the spirit of the Statement of November 9, 2020, and undermines the efforts of establishing lasting peace, security and stability in the region.”

Armenia to host the prestigious Summit of Minds for third time

Toneyan Mark
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 7 2021
September 7, 2021, 13:39

 2 minutes read

Armenia will host the prestigious international Summit of Minds for third time this fall, the President’s Press Office informs.

The annual Summit of Minds held in Chamonix, France, has been hosted by Armenia since 2019.

The traditional Armenian Summit of Minds has developed into a unique Armenian brand today. An exceptional agreement on its organization was reached in September 2018, when the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian participated as the keynote speaker at the annual Summit of Minds.

The Summit unites famous figures of the world’s political, economic, scientific and cultural circles. It is a unique platform for exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience, the main goals of which are to present new ideas on key issues of global interest, to establish trust-based partnerships through direct discussions.

With the aim of expanding the geography of the summit, discovering new ideas and opportunities, the Summit of Thought will be held in several countries this year.

In September 2021, the main world macro issues will be discussed in the French city of Chamonix The topics will cover economy, geopolitics, society, environment and technology, their development in the coming years and the potential impact on investment and business decisions.

The summit will be held in Armenia in October and in Canada in November. The summit is scheduled to be held in the United States next year.

The first Armenian Summit of Minds, which was held in Dilijan in 2019 brought together about 300 participants, including famous and influential politicians and statesmen, scientists, businessmen and investors, heads of major companies and media outlets from around the world.

The second Armenian Summit of Minds was held online due to the coronavirus epidemic and the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. The organizers and participants of the summit addressed the military aggression of Azerbaijan in the context of global challenges.

The third Armenian Summit of Minds is scheduled for October 23-24, 2021 in Dilijan. It will be held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, the main partners are The Monthly Barometer analytical magazine and the Central Bank of Armenia. The main topics will include geopolitics of the South Caucasus region, development of technologies, namely artificial intelligence, biotechnology in the 21st century. Well-known speakers from different countries will deliver reports.

At the recent online meeting with the summit participants, President Armen Sarkissian. “The most powerful resource Armenia has is the human being. I am one of those who believe that human resources are much richer, stronger and more powerful than natural resources, because that is the future, that is the 21st century.”