Category: 2021

 09:48, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has addressed a congratulatory message on the Knowledge and Schooling Day, the President’s Office told Armenpress.

The message runs as follows:

“Dear pupils, students, teachers, lecturers, educators, and parents,

Congratulations on Knowledge and Schooling Day, and the start of a new school year.

Education opens the way to a new life and a new world. Be brave and confident. Open all doors through knowledge, open with your willpower and the impulse of your hearts, diligence, helping each other, trusting each other, learning from each other.

Believe that you can make positive changes with your knowledge, energy, perseverance, and faith, and be of use to the Homeland, Nation, Family, and of course, yourself.

Dear pupils and students,

This school year starts at the threshold of the thirty years of Armenia’s independence. You are creating the future of our country just like your parents and grandparents made Armenia and Artsakh independent, the same way as our ancestors fought for freedom, independence and future throughout our history.

The 21st century is that of thought and knowledge, technology and creativity. We are able and obliged to participate in the rapid development and progress of the world.

The talent of our people, together with diligence, purposefulness, and responsibility, can produce results. And that is also thanks to you!

The most difficult heights, which often seem inaccessible, can be conquered if these qualities are supplemented by patriotism and desire to do something for the sake of homeland and common national interests. Learn to overcome challenges and to pursue dreams without despair, to make, to create, and to take responsibility for the fate of the homeland.

Be faithful to the heritage of the past, to our identity, and believe in tomorrow.

Dear teachers, lecturers, and educators,

Tomorrow is shaped by your dedicated work and those efforts you invest into educating and bringing up generations. I am sure you all realize that the ability of the education system to keep pace with the times will determine Armenia’s place in the rapidly developing world. As the most significant part of the genuine elite of Armenia, you carry out a special mission of building the future of our country. It depends on you what our Homeland will be like in ten, fifty, or hundred years.

I believe in our inevitable success. It is essential for every one of us to believe in it and participate in bringing it closer by our knowledge, abilities, and opportunities.

I wish you all peace, happiness and prosperity”.

Moody’s affirms Armenia’s rating at Ba3, maintains stable outlook

 10:30, 1 September, 2021

SINGAPORE, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has affirmed the Government of Armenia’s Ba3 local and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings and foreign currency senior unsecured rating. The outlook remains stable.

“The affirmation of the Ba3 ratings is driven by the credit profile’s resilience to the significant shocks of the coronavirus pandemic and geopolitical and domestic political tensions, and Moody’s expectations that growth and fiscal strength will recover over the medium term. The fiscal profile in particular has proven resilient and will stabilize over the medium term, with debt consolidation expected from 2021 onward as growth and revenue rebound, and as the government adjusts expenditure downward in line with fiscal rules. Meanwhile, Moody’s assesses that the 2020 ceasefire agreement with Azerbaijan and the June snap parliamentary election have reduced near-term political risks, supporting economic recovery and minimizing the impact to Armenia’s fundamental growth outlook. External deficits drive currency valuation risks that can transmit to fiscal strength and financial stability, although external buffers have increased to withstand these potential shocks.

The stable outlook reflects balanced risks to the Ba3 rating. While a developing track record of policy effectiveness supports the development of a diversity of higher productivity sectors, growth potential remains constrained by demographic pressures and the small scale of the economy. Upside risk stems from more effective reforms that contribute to sustained growth at higher rates than Moody’s currently assumes over the medium term. Event risk remains the key source of downside risk due to geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries, and external vulnerability and banking system risks resulting from the high share of foreign-currency debt, structural current account deficits, and a highly dollarized banking system.

Armenia’s local and foreign currency country ceilings remain unchanged at Baa2 and Ba1, respectively. The four-notch gap between the local currency ceiling and the sovereign rating reflects a balance between the government’s small footprint in the economy and strong institutions, and geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries and external deficits that expose the economy to external shocks. The two-notch gap between the foreign currency ceiling and the local currency ceiling incorporates Moody’s assessment of Armenia’s policy effectiveness and transfer and convertibility restrictions in times of stress,” Moody’s said in a  on August 31.

 10:34, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani military servicemen are deliberately setting fire to not only the pastures and hayfields of Armenian villagers in the Gegharkunik province, but also the hay reserves which the farmers are keeping for winter season.

Given the fact that the Azeri troops are located inside Armenian sovereign territory, in direct vicinity of villages, the fires pose a real and present danger to the life and property of the civilian population.

The Human Rights Defender said that the facts show that the Azeri troops are acting deliberately, with intent to cause damages to the civilians.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 10:59, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense of Armenia Arshak Karapetyan visited several military units on August 31, the defense ministry said in a statement.

The minister got acquainted with the service process, the social-living conditions and the food organization process in the military units.

Arshak Karapetyan also visited some regions where currently trainings for reservists are underway. The minister talked to the reservists and thanked them for their participation to those trainings.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 11:08, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. 615 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 242,750, the Armenian Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

13 patients died, bringing the death toll to 4847. This number doesn’t include the deaths of 1157 (2 in the last 24 hours) other COVID-19 patients who succumbed to co-morbidities.

As of September 1, 11:00, the number of active cases stood at 9443.

7462 tests were administered in the past 24 hours.

The total number of recoveries so far stands at 227,293 (267 in the last 24 hours).

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:11, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the Independence Day, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The letter reads:

“Your Excellency,

I warmly congratulate you and the good people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the Independence Day.

I am sure that your rich experience as a state figure will serve for the prosperity of Uzbekistan in the future as well.

I am convinced that the mutual relations of Armenia and Uzbekistan will also develop on the path of strengthening the cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral formats.

By using the chance, I wish you good health, happiness, and to the good people of Uzbekistan – peace and welfare”.  

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:11, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) and Air Arabia Group, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, today announced that the new national airline to be launched by their joint venture company will be named ‘Fly Arna.’

The name was chosen by the Board of Directors of the joint venture company from over 500 suggestions received in response to the ‘Name the Airline’ competition announced in July 2021. Following a comprehensive review, the name of the airline was chosen as ‘Fly Arna’ – with the word ‘Arna’ being derived from the name “Armenian National Airlines” by combining the first two letters of the words “ARmenian” with the first letter of “National” and the first letter of “Airline”. The competition aimed to engage the citizens of Armenia to participate in naming their new national airline reflecting the commitment of ANIF and Air Arabia Group to promote stakeholder participation.

“I thank everyone for the active participation in the contest. It is both inspiring and a sign of a shared vision of a successful endeavour we all aspire for the project,” said David Papazian, CEO of ANIF. “Despite the current challenges of the pandemic, we are confident of the new opportunity that exists for “Fly Arna” to deliver a winning proposition that will benefit the nation and our people.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “The new name represents the aspirations of the people of Armenia and is the result of a national competition, underlining how the joint venture company prioritizes the interests of the community. “Fly Arna” will mark the beginning of a new era for Armenia’s aviation sector, and also create significant value to the economy by boosting the tourism, hospitality and business sectors.”

More than 800 participants suggested the 500 names via email and on ANIF’s social media pages. The name was chosen to be most inclusive and reflecting the spirit of the joint venture company to transform the aviation sector of the country.

“Fly Arna” will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) as its base. The company will apply for the Airline Operation Certificate in the coming weeks. More details about the launch date, fleet, and destination network will be announced in due course.

ANIF and Air Arabia Group had announced the agreement to launch Armenia’s new national airline in July 2021.

 12:15, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia won the International Army Games 2021 tournament’s Warrior of Peace competition with team score. Russia and Kazakhstan finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The winners were announced during the closing ceremony held at the Monte Melkonyan Military College in Dilijan, Armenia.

Senior Lieutenant Hayk Avagyan of the Armenian Armed Forces was named winner in the individual category of the Warrior of Peace competition.

The closing ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Arshak Karapetyan, Armenian Army 3rd Army Corps Commander Alexander Tsakanyan, other high-ranking military officers and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 12:55, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is Russia’s ally, the two countries have a very rich bilateral agenda, such as mutual visits, implementation of large projects, development of economic cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the meeting with the students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

“This time it develops very intensively and confidently”, the Russian FM said.

He has also touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that there are agreements signed by the Presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia. “These agreements clarify the proposals of the leaders over the unblocking of all transportation infrastructure and economic ties. This work cannot be done in a day, it is in process. The leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan personally deal with it”, Sergei Lavrov said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:59, 1 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Romania Florin-Vasile Cîţu congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on re-appointment as Prime Minister of Armenia.

The congratulatory letter reads:

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

I am pleased to address my sincere congratulations and best wishes on your re-appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. It’s a position of high responsibility especially in the current regional and international context.

By using this chance, I would like to express my firm belief that the relations between Romania and Armenia, which are based on long-term friendship and mutual trust between our nations, will continue to develop in coming years.

The promotion of bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest must have a high place in our agenda. The implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union, as well as many programs and tools provided by the EU will surely open new opportunities for cooperation.

Reaffirming my warmest wishes for success, please accept the assurances of my highest respect”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan