Category: 2022

 17:32,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region is our principle and strategy, and Armenia hopes that the OSCE, together with the institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will use all the mechanisms in its toolkit to ensure a constructive atmosphere and create conditions for comprehensive peace, Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said in a statement for the press following the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau.

“Dear Mr. Minister, 

Dear colleagues, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

First of all, I would like to thank my colleague Zbigniew Rau for the warm welcome.

I am delighted to be in Poland in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. These three decades have been years of progress, mutual trust and understanding, which provided a solid foundation for the consistent development and strengthening of our interstate relations and political dialogue.

Armenian-Polish relations are based on centuries-old friendship, common principles and values between our two peoples. In this regard, we highly appreciate Poland's support for the ongoing democratic reforms implemented by the Government of Armenia.

Today, during the discussions with my colleague, we touched upon the prospects of expanding cooperation between Armenia and Poland in areas of mutual interest. We have expressed our readiness to undertake steps towards the utilization of the great potential in Armenian-Polish economic relations, for which we have a strong legal and contractual framework of about 30 documents and an effective working platform – the Armenian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, the 7th session of which is scheduled to be held in Yerevan in the near future. 

Of course, the volume of trade turnover between Armenia and Poland is not high, but we can commend that we have a gradual increase in this direction. We consider information technologies, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and renewable energy to be promising areas for the activation of Armenian-Polish economic cooperation.

We also exchanged views on issues of Armenia-EU partnership agenda. We referred to the implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the steps towards further increasing the efficiency of the Eastern Partnership. In this regard, Poland, as one of the initiating countries of the Eastern Partnership, is an important actor for us, and we expect further expansion of cooperation in this direction.

Of course, a number of issues of regional stability and security were at the core of our discussions today. We touched upon our cooperation within the framework of the OSCE, where Poland is currently chairing. I presented to Mr. Rau in detail the position of  Armenia regarding the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability.

I emphasized the key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in the promotion of the peace process aimed at the comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan.

Dear attendees, 

Unfortunately I have to underscore that despite Armenia’s efforts, we continue to encounter the provocative actions of Azerbaijan towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, warmongering and expansionist statements aimed at undermining regional stability and peace.

Moreover, violating the norms of international humanitarian law and the November 9 trilateral Statements, Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian PoWs and civilians hostage, using them as a tool for political speculation. In this regard, the continued support of the international community and the OSCE Chairmanship, committed to human rights and humanitarian principles is important for solving this problem.

The policy implemented by the leadership of Azerbaijan aimed at the destruction, desecration and distortion of identity of the Armenian historical, cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control is also unacceptable. In this regard, we expect a clear, targeted and continuous response from the international community and emphasize the urgency of the involvement of relevant international organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Once again, I want to emphasize that opening an era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region is our principle and strategy, and we hope that the OSCE, together with the institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, will use all the mechanisms in its toolkit to ensure a constructive atmosphere and create conditions for comprehensive peace.

I will conclude my speech with this.

 Dear Mr. Rau, thank You once again for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions,” FM Mirzoyan said.

 19:14,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a session of the Police Reforms Coordination Council took place, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The discussion of the topics covered at the previous session continued. Reference was made to the work on the introduction of the Patrol Service provided by the Police Reform Strategy. In particular, issues related to the structure of the Patrol Service, the process of purchasing vehicles, measures taken to increase the involvement of women in the Service were discussed.

Next, the new model of territorial divisions of the Police within the framework of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that is expected to be established in the near future was discussed. Details were presented on the reorganization of regional departments, the issues related to the coordination, structure and functions of territorial divisions were addressed.

The Prime Minister noted that as a result of the Police reforms, it is expected to have more optimal structures, exclusion of same-type functions and salary increase. The Head of the Government instructed to continue the work under this logic, emphasizing the importance of the digitalization agenda and the interoperability of state bodies.

The session also addressed the implementation of the procedure for reporting traffic rules violations through the mobile application, relevant statistics were presented. The participants of the session exchanged ideas on simplification of the procedures for applying the system. In this regard, Prime Minister Pashinyan gave specific instructions.

 19:20,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. On July 19, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Paruyr Hovhannisyan received the newly appointed Ambassador of Albania Luela Hajdaraga (residence in Athens) on the occasion of handing over the copy of her credentials.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, congratulating the Ambassador on the occasion of her appointment, Deputy Foreign Minister Hovhannisyan highlighted the importance of Armenian-Albanian relations and the need to further develop them. He wished success to Ambassador Hajdaraga in her mission, expressing hope that she will give a new impetus to the bilateral cooperation with her vigorous activities.

Expressing gratitude for the reception and good wishes, Ambassador Hajdaraga assured that she will make maximum efforts to activate and promote the cooperation between Armenia and Albania.

The interlocutors referred to issues related to political dialogue, partnership in international structures, development of trade and economic relations, cooperation in educational and cultural fields, as well as the expansion of the legal framework.

Draft Strategy of Judicial and Legal Reforms for 2022-2026 discussed at Government

 19:38,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a consultation took place, during which the draft Strategy of Judicial and Legal Reforms for 2022-2026 was discussed, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister. 

It was reported that the strategy development works started back in October of last year, and the measures envisaged by the draft are presented with a concrete timetable and measurable indicators. The draft has already been discussed with non-governmental organizations and international partners.

It was noted that the adoption of the strategy stems from the Government's Action Plan. The draft consists of 12 strategic objectives. The planned reforms in the fields of the judicial system, advocacy, Compulsory Enforcement Service, notary sphere, and the process of creating the arbitration center were presented at the consultation in detail.

The draft strategy envisages reforms in the field of e-justice, particularly in the direction of digitalization of processes and document circulation. Reference was also made to the planned reforms in the bankruptcy procedure, criminal, civil, electoral and constitutional spheres and their goals.

The participants of the cosnultation exchanged ideas, various observations and suggestions were presented.

Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the adoption of the strategy and stressed that reforms in the judicial and legal spheres are one of the Government's priorities and the Executive will be consistent in their effective implementation.

 20:44,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. The meeting between the presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has started in Tehran, ARMENPRESS reports, Ria Novosti informed.

The Heads of States will discuss issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as the situation related to grain export.

Then the tripartite meeting of the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey will begin, where they will talk about the Syrian problem

 20:51,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting with the President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said that the relations between the two countries are developing at a good pace, ARMENPRESS reports, Ria Novosti informed.

According to him, these relations have a significant contribution to the Syrian settlement, and in terms of trade, the countries can boast of record numbers.

"We can boast of record numbers of trade growth. We are strengthening our cooperation in the field of international security, making a significant contribution to the settlement of the Syrian crisis," Putin said during the meeting.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed hope that the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Iran will be a turning point for the development of relations between the two countries.

"I have great hope that your official visit to Iran will become a turning point for the strengthening of relations between the two countries on issues of the regional and international agenda," Raisi said.

 21:10,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the official visit to Poland, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on July 19.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the MFA Armenia, the Ministers exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Poland, noting that the partnership of the last 30 years is a solid ground for consistent development and strengthening of interstate relations.

In this context, the Ministers expressed satisfaction with the results of the political consultations held between the Armenian and Polish Foreign Ministries on June 28 in Yerevan and expressed their belief that their continuity and frequency will best serve to the deepening of the political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

The Ministers referred to the possibilities of further expansion of Armenian-Polish cooperation, expressing readiness to take steps in the fields of trade, high and information technologies, finance and banking, justice, education, science and culture.

The interlocutors exchanged ideas on deepening cooperation in the direction of promotion of democracy, protection of human rights and strengthening the rule of law. Minister Mirzoyan presented the agenda of democratic reforms in Armenia to his colleague.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Zbigniew Rau also referred to the possibilities of developing effective cooperation between Armenia and the European Union. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the implementation of steps aimed at strengthening the inclusiveness of the Eastern Partnership program and further increasing its efficiency, emphasizing in this regard the role of Poland as the initiator country of the Eastern Partnership.

Regional and international security issues were discussed during the meeting. Minister Mirzoyan presented Armenia's position regarding the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability.

The key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ format in promoting Nagorno Karabakh peace process and normalizing relations with Azerbaijan was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his colleague Azerbaijan's continuous provocative actions towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, belligerent and maximalist statements, stressing that similar steps undermine efforts aimed at establishing regional stability and peace.

Reference was made to the humanitarian consequences of the 44-day war, in particular, the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, as well as the prevention of the policy of destruction and distortion of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories that have passed under Azerbaijani control.

FM Mirzoyan expressed confidence that the existing mechanisms in the toolkit of the OSCE and the Institute of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office will contribute to opening an era of regional peace and sustainable development and strengthening the atmosphere of constructive dialogue and trust.

Putin refers to Nagorno Karabakh conflict during the meeting with Erdoğan

 21:45,

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Tehran, Russian President Vladimir Putin, among other issues, also talked about the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, ARMENPRESS reports, the Kremlin's official website informs.

"Of course, we also have another important issue under our spotlight, the settlement of the Karabakh problem. Recently, I met with the President of Azerbaijan within the framework of the Caspian Forum," Putin said.

The parties also discussed the Syrian issue, as well as the implementation of bilateral large projects.