Category: 2022

 10:28,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France has commented on the latest meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“France welcomes this meeting, as we are determined to promote a lasting peace in the South Caucasus. France reaffirms its support for continuing direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan to enable those countries to create favorable conditions for normalizing relations”, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On July 16, the meeting of Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov was held in Tbilisi, hosted by Foreign Minister of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili.

During the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov touched upon a wide range of issues regarding the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, sides discussed the implementation of previously undertaken commitments and exchanged views on further possible steps.

Minister Mirzoyan reiterated the position of the Armenian side that the political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is essential within the process of achieving sustainable and lasting peace in the region and stressed the importance of using the institution and experience of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in accordance with its international mandate.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia highlighted the importance of addressing humanitarian issues, including the release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and clarification of the fate of missing persons.

The willingness of the sides to continue the discussions was underscored.

 10:37,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of High Technological Industry Robert Khachatryan received the delegation of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Russia led by General Director Yasushi Kakitsuka, the minister said.

The minister introduced the guests on the current situation, developments and challenges in Armenia’s high-tech industry and outlined the possible cooperation directions.

Yasushi Kakitsuka in turn presented the activity directions of their company and highlighted the potential scenarios for mutual partnership.

A number of issues of bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting.

The sides noted that the cooperation could serve as a serious bridge for establishing new business ties and conducting activity. Views were exchanged also on organizing meetings with tech companies and discussing the programs.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Russia plans to outline partnership directions with the Armenian governments and after their clarification to start operation in Armenia.

 10:48,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Speaker of the Senate (upper house of parliament) of Poland Tomasz Grodzki on the sidelines of his official visit in Warsaw, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

During the meeting the sides agreed that the close parliamentary cooperation plays an important role in enriching the agenda of the Armenian-Polish inter-state relations and further deepening the friendly ties. In this respect the importance of maintaining active mutual visits and contacts at different levels was emphasized.

FM Mirzoyan presented the ongoing reforms of the Armenian government aimed at strengthening democracy, protecting human rights and ensuring rule of law.

In his turn Tomasz Grodzki said that he fully supports Armenia on the path to democratic progress.

During the meeting FM Mirzoyan introduced Tomasz Grodzki on the current situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone and the position of the Armenian side over the settlement of the NK conflict and the normalization of the relations with Azerbaijan. Ararat Mirzoyan said that Azerbaijan’s maximalist rhetoric distorts the efforts aimed at establishing regional stability and peace.

Touching upon the post-war humanitarian problems, the Armenian FM stressed the necessity of the urgent release and repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, as well as the preservation of Armenian historical-cultural and religious heritage in the territories that have come under the Azerbaijani control.

It was stated that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be solved peacefully around a negotiation table.

Tomasz Grodzki expressed readiness to support the efforts of achieving peace.

 11:47,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Sri Lankan MPs have elected prime minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe as the country's new president, despite his unpopularity with the public, BBC reports.

Wickremesinghe faces the task of leading the country out of its economic collapse and restoring public order after months of mass protests.

He roundly defeated party rival Dullus Alahapperuma, with 134 votes to 82 in the parliamentary vote on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka's ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country last week after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residences and other government buildings, calling for his resignation.

They had also called for Mr Wickremesinghe's resignation, who was appointed prime minister in May. Protesters burnt down his private home and also stormed his prime ministerial office in Colombo in demonstrations against his leadership.

 12:57,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan sent a congratulatory letter to President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez on the occasion of the Independence Day, the Presidential Office said.

The letter reads:

“I warmly congratulate you and the people of Colombia on the national day – the Independence Day.

Armenia attaches great importance to the further development and deepening of the relations with Colombia and is ready to make necessary efforts to expand the bilateral cooperation.

I believe that the cooperation between our countries will continue developing and expanding for the benefit of our peoples.

I wish you good health and success, and to the people of Colombia – peace and welfare”.

 13:27,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. 5 Armenian school-children participated in the 2022 International Physics Olympiad which was held online from July 10 to 17, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said.

3 of them captured bronze medals, and the other two – certificates of honor.

More than 300 students from 79 countries participated in the Olympiad.

The Olympiad was held in two rounds – experimental and theoretical.

At last year’s Olympiad, which was also held online, the team of Armenia captured 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.