12:27,
BEIJING, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. The World Youth Development Forum launched in the Chinese capital of Beijing on July 21.
The Forum is attended by representatives from a number of countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Forum.
Topics to be discussed during the three-day Forum include climate change, employment and entrepreneurship, digital economy and high-quality education.
The Forum was organized by the All-China Youth Federation.
Photo by Xinhua
12:39,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Artur Martirosyan received the representatives of the Aznavour Foundation led by Director Kristina Aznavour (Sarkissian), the ministry said.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the 2024 program of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the late French-Armenian legendary singer Charles Aznavour.
Kristina Aznavour informed that the French side is preparing for the events, and the statue of Charles Aznavour will be installed in France by 2024. The design is ready, there are plans to hold a large-scale concert and an exhibition about Aznavour. The issue of installing Aznavour’s statue also in Armenia is being discussed with the Yerevan City Hall. The Director of the Aznavour Foundation proposed to hold all events in parallel with France, including the installation of the statue.
In turn Deputy Minister Martirosyan said that the Armenian side will cooperate with the Foundation with pleasure in implementing the program of events, adding that the jubilee of the legendary singer will be celebrated in Armenia as bright as in France.
“We are responsible that the Armenian-French agenda doesn’t suffer in any matter”, Artur Martirosyan said.
During the meeting the sides decided to establish an inter-agency commission to coordinate the expected events.
Artur Martirosyan informed that a coordinating working group has been set up for more effectively organizing and holding the program initiatives between all role-players of Francophonie. The first meeting of the group is scheduled on July 28, and French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot is also invited to the meeting.
The Foundation representatives also presented the problems faced by the Yerevan State College of Culture and Art named after Charles Aznavour, the volume of investments and future plans. The Foundation invested 12,5 million drams for the college. The college is regularly holding master classes and inviting international specialists.
“Our goal is to open a path for children with a great potential to global stages and contribute to the development of their talent”, Kristina Aznavour said.
13:34,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan received today the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) David McAllister and his delegation, the Parliament’s press service said.
Speaker Simonyan said that the activity of AFET aimed at strengthening the resilience of the region is important, adding that the level of engagement and understanding of the European Parliament in the post-war humanitarian situation is big.
In this context Alen Simonyan expressed gratitude to David McAllister and Željana Zovko (Vice-Chair) for the impartial position and for the continuous efforts aimed at establishing peace in our region.
Details relating to the joint post and future agenda programs were discussed during the meeting. The conversation also touched upon the unequivocal position recorded in the European Parliament’s respective resolutions and reports over a number of key issues for Armenia, particularly, the latest Nagorno Karabakh war, the encroachments against Armenia’s sovereign territory and the necessity of immediately releasing Armenian prisoners of war.
Issues relating to parliamentary opposition were also touched upon during the talk.
14:20,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. From July 12th to 18th, the 18th International Geography Olympiad was held online, during which the Armenian team won 2 bronze medals.
The bronze medals were awarded to Ruben Sargsyan (Gyumri "Foton" school, 12th grade) and Hovhannes Stepanyan (Armavir Province, Nor Artagers m/d, 12th class.), the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said in a press release.
Mariam Grigoryan (11th grade) and Eduard Avetisyan (12th grade), students of "Kvant" school also represented the Armenian Olympiad team.
The Armenian team was led by Vahagn Grigoryan (YSU) and Vardan Asatryan (National Academy of Sciences, "Kvant" College).
France was the organizing country of the Olympiad: "Kvant" school provided online participation.
209 students from 54 countries participated in the competition.
The Olympiad was held in three stages. first day: theoretical tasks, second day: field research consisting of two sub-phases, third day: multimedia tasks.
At the 17th International Geography Olympiad, which was also held online, the Armenian team won 1 bronze medal.
Translated by Seda Hakobyan
14:56,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. A roadmap for investment reforms aimed at promoting new investments, improving the investment environment and creating favorable climate for foreign investors in Armenia has been developed.
The roadmap was developed based on best international experience. It was presented by the USAID Armenia Business Enabling Environment Project to Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan on July 22.
Mission Director of USAID/Armenia John Allelo said that the document embodies “the best international approach and standards” adapted to the conditions of Armenia. It is an action plan.
“This roadmap can serve as a guideline which will direct foreign direct investments to Armenia,” Allelo said, expressing readiness to help Armenia in implementing the initiative.
The document was developed with joint efforts from Armenian and international experts.
Allelo said they’ve seen big progress in Armenia in the area, and that the Armenia Business Enabling Environment Project was launched in 2020 to address any emerging issues.
Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said investment reforms have a very important place in the government’s economic reforms agenda.
“I believe that the presented proposals are really in line with the economic realities of our country and the government’s priorities. The government’s expectations from this document are big. And its successful implementation will give tangible results by ensuring the targeted figures outlined in the government’s 2021-2026 action plan,” Kerobyan said.
He said that Armenian and foreign businesses must be informed that thanks to several serious changes and new approaches doing business in Armenia is becoming easier and safer, procedures are simplified, and making investments here will be justified and profitable, while the legislative framework is regulated and administration is simple and fair.
“Investments and doing business in Armenia is encouraged by the government by all means,” he concluded.
15:42,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. President of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid will arrive in Armenia.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a respective decision about the expected visit. The decision is posted on e-gov.am.
The delegation led by the UN General Assembly President will pay a three-day visit to Armenia on July 26.
PM Pashinyan gave instructions to a number of agencies over the visit of the UN General Assembly President.
16:53,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received today the delegation led by the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) David McAllister, the PM’s Office said.
During the meeting PM Pashinyan highlighted the close cooperation with the European Parliament and stated that the European Union is one of the key partners in the effective implementation of Armenia’s democratic agenda. Pashinyan highlighted the mutual partnership within the Eastern Partnership and said that Armenia is holding leading positions in Eastern Partnership in the fight against corruption, freedom of speech, electoral reforms and other directions.
David McAllister thanked for the warm welcome and highlighted the productive and close cooperation with Armenian parliamentarians. He welcomed Armenia’s ongoing democratic reforms in different areas, adding that the European Union will continue providing support to the Armenian government in this direction.
The sides touched upon the process happening in the South Caucasus region, the situation around Nagorno Karabakh, the unblocking of regional infrastructure and the delimitation opportunities between Armenia and Azerbaijan. PM Pashinyan presented in-detail the position of the Armenian side and answered to the questions of the EP delegation.
The sides highlighted ensuring regional peace and stability and continuing the dialogue on this direction.
PM Pashinyan touched upon the issue of Armenian prisoners of war, who are still held in Azerbaijan, and in this respect David McAllister said that the European Parliament also stresses the importance of ensuring their return by Azerbaijan and will continue the efforts on this path.
Issues relating to the preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under the Azerbaijani control were also discussed.
Nikol Pashinyan and David McAllister stressed the need of ensuring the entry of UNESCO mission to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone and conducting consistent works for this purpose.
17:36,
YEREVAN, 22 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 July, USD exchange rate down by 1.74 drams to 413.10 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.68 drams to 420.08 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 7.17 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.49 drams to 493.78 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price down by 151.40 drams to 22646.24 drams. Silver price down by 7.89 drams to 242.59 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
18:38,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament David McAllister is on a regional visit to Armenia. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports that during the press conference held in the National Assembly of Armenia, Eduard Aghajanyan, the chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, stated that on July 22, David McAllister had meetings in Yerevan with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan, Vice President of the National Assembly and the chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.
According to Aghajanyan, David McAllister’s delegation also met with the representatives of the three parliamentary factions.
"During the meetings, current regional issues were discussed, in particular, regional developments in the post-war period in the context of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Armenian-Turkish relations, the problems associated with these processes and their possible solutions. The positive activity and influence of the European Parliament on the mentioned processes were also recorded, in particular, specific statements and resolutions related to the Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, the statement by the European Parliament regarding the prisoners of war were noted and highlighted, and the Armenian side is grateful to our partners for this firm and impartial position", Eduard Aghajanyan said.
19:29,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. On July 22, Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Ruben Rubinyan, received the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament David McAllister and the delegation headed by him, who arrived in Armenia on a regional visit.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia, Eduard Aghajanyan, chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, and Arman Yeghoyan, chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on European Integration, were present at the meeting.
Ruben Rubinyan presented the regional situation, presented the position of the Armenian side on the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
According to the Vice President of the National Assembly, the continuous provocative actions and maximalist statements of the Azerbaijani side are undermining the efforts aimed at establishing regional stability and peace.
At the request of the guests, Ruben Rubinyan presented the developments in the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations and the agreements reached during the last meeting.