16:00,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Film producer Armen Grigoryan has died, the Ambulance CJSC confirmed the news to Armenpress.
During a court hearing in Yerevan over the criminal case launched against him, Armen Grigoryan felt ill, lost consciousness. Ambulance was called, but they were unable to save his life.
Grigoryan has been detained on May 17, 2022, by the National Security Service.
17:18,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Russia’s Minister of Transport Vitaly Saveliev and his delegation, the PM’s Office said.
During the meeting Prime Minister Pashinyan praised the intensity in the Armenian-Russian relations in the person of regular official visits which highlight the unique nature of the bilateral ties. Nikol Pashinyan attached importance to the cooperation in all directions, including in the field of transport, and also highly valued the efforts and operational response of the Russian side in solving emerging crisis situations in the Upper Lars border checkpoint.
The Russian minister conveyed the warm greetings of Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin to the Armenian PM and assessed the work with the Armenian partner agencies effective. He said that Russia is interested in developing the friendly, brotherly partnership and mutually beneficial programs with Armenia.
Views were exchanged also around the cooperation in transportation and logistics fields. The sides touched upon the aviation and road communication, public transport infrastructure, both sides highlighted exchange of experience and active inter-agency work in these directions. It was stated that the development of transportation communication will contribute to the increase in bilateral passenger and cargo transportations, will boost economic contacts and tourism ties.
PM Pashinyan asked to convey his greetings to Mikhail Mishustin.
17:23,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian presented US President Joe Biden with a plate and a pomegranate made of Armenian terracotta, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Koryun Baghdasaryan said on social media.
Earlier he said that the US President visited the Armenian Church of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity.
During the talk with the US President, the Armenian Patriarch thanked him for recognizing the Armenian Genocide and discussed other topics as well.
18:15,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. On July 15, a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani experts took place in Moscow with the support of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian MFA and the Russian International Affairs Council.
ARMENPRESS reports, citing Interfax, the meeting was opened by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Andrey Rudenko.
A number of issues of the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations were discussed at the meeting on the basis of the trilateral agreements between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26,2021, including issues of unblocking regional transport communications, border delimitation issues, prospect for peace treaty negotiations, as well as humanitarian issues and the possible steps to build confidence between the sides. There was also a discussion about the role and importance of expert dialogue in the process of normalization of relations between the two countries. The participants agreed to continue contacts and joint work within the trilateral expert platform "Dialogue for Peace".
18:29,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. The great French writer Victor Hugo called before his death to bring to end the French Revolution and start a human revolution. Exactly 233 years ago, July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille began the great French Revolution, and the human revolution, by all appearances, is yet to come. Anyway, that day went down in human history as the beginning of the great French Revolution, and in France July 14 is celebrated as a National Day. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports on July 14, the Embassy of the Republic of France in Armenia organized a grand reception on the occasion of the National Day of France, inviting representatives of state authorities, the political field, accredited diplomatic missions in Armenia, many famous figures of the Armenian society and simply friends of France.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France to Armenia Anne Louyot was very excited, because the last time the French National Day was celebrated in the "existing format" was three years ago, in 2019. During this period, Armenia went through a very hard and cruel path of war and pandemic. The Ambassador's thoughts are with those who lost their lives during this time. In her speech, Anne Louyot recalled the ongoing wars and threats to democracy in many regions of the world, stressing her country's commitment to universal, democratic values and the principles of international law. And July 14, according to the Ambassador, is a good occasion to remind about all that, also about the fact that France is a "deeply European country".
"July 14 is also an opportunity to remember the fraternal ties between France and Armenia, the French and Armenians, and our common commitments. For the sake of democracy, Armenia has resolutely chosen that path and is courageously pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, banning the attempts to be diverted from that goal. We welcome this commitment, as well as the quality and sincerity of our dialogue with the Armenian government. We all know that democracy is the result of a long process and dialogue with all segments of society. You know that we stand with you in this process necessary for the future of Armenian youth and the security of the country," the French Ambassador said.
According to the Ambassador, July 14 is not only a historical fact, it is also a symbol of the future and will.
"Armenia is a natural crossroads, a bridge between spheres of influence, cultures, and commercial markets. We are determined to help Armenia restore this tradition," Anne Louyot said.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan also gave a speech, warmly congratulating on behalf of the Government and himself on the occasion of the National Day of France and emphasized the historical and universal significance of the political processes that began with the Storm of the Bastille.
"More than two centuries ago, the French people opened a new path for the future based on human rights and democracy. Since then, the high universal values of the French Revolution have become an exemplary guide for many countries," the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
Speaking about the Armenian-French friendship, Mher Grigoryan emphasized that it has a centuries-old history.
"The Armenian and French peoples have been together in many important moments of their history full of trials. We will never forget that at the beginning of the 20th century, France extended a fraternal hand to tens of thousands of Armenians who survived the genocide and found their second homeland.
The friendship between our two countries became an important basis for establishing a high-level political dialogue, as well as effective and close cooperation in all key areas," said Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.
18:46,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. On July 16, a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov will take place in Tbilisi, ARMENPRESS reports, Vahan Hunanyan, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, informed on his "Facebook" page.
19:06,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Cyprus Tigran Mkrtchyan met in Nicosia (residence in Athens) with the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Diaspora Affairs of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Fotis Fotiou, ARMENPRESS reports the Embassy of Armenia in Greece informed on its "Facebook" page.
Welcoming Fotis Fotiou, Ambassador Mkrtchyan referred to the brotherly and long-standing relations between the two countries, noting that the two peoples are united by a common history, value system, and challenges.
The Ambassador emphasized the cooperation between the two countries on the issues related to the Diaspora, highlighting both Armenia-Cyprus bilateral and Armenia-Cyprus-Greece trilateral cooperation. Ambassador Mkrtchyan also emphasized the importance of the memorandum of cooperation in trilateral format signed in Patras, Greece on June 24 and the need to consistently implement its provisions.
The Cypriot official noted that the three countries have quite functional and active communities in different corners of the world, each fully integrated in their countries of residence with organized structures, adding that it is extremely important to use the existing potential of the diaspora for presenting common agendas, implementing common goals and interests.
During the meeting, Ambassador Mkrtchyan particularly emphasized the role of the Armenian Cypriot community in promoting Armenian-Cypriot relations and strengthening them even more. In that context, Ambassador Mkrtchyan emphasized the invaluable role and contribution of Vardges Mahtesyan, the state representative of the Armenian Cypriot community in the House of Representatives of Cyprus, who was present at the meeting.
21:32,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the solemn event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Border Guard Troops of the National Security Service. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, Director of National Security Service Armen Abazyan, Chief of Police Vahe Ghazaryan were also present at the event, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulated all the servicemen on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Border Guard Troops and noted, “In general, as in any country, the border guard troops in the Republic of Armenia are considered part of the Armed Forces. During the entire history of the Third Republic, the border guard troops contributed to the protection of the territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Armenia and together with the army fulfilled the tasks that were set before the army. But I want to emphasize that purely in terms of the idea, the concept, the border guard troops are generally the symbol of peace, because the borders, the protection of which is entrusted to the border guard troops, are usually considered peaceful borders. Because it is assumed that a friendship or peace treaty has been concluded with the states located in the direction of those borders, and this is a very important circumstance to record.
The border guard troops, in fact, since their formation, have not always and not everywhere acted according to the logic of this function. We bow our heads and pay our respects to the border guards who died protecting the Motherland. But I want to emphasize again that the logic of our policy is that we want all the borders of the Republic of Armenia, without exception, to be handed over to the control of the border guard troops, and the army units to return to their permanent locations. And this is exactly what we mean in the logic of the Armed Forces when we say peace agenda, this is exactly what we mean when we announce that the Armenian Government has adopted a peace agenda.
Of course, we understand the complications facing this process. There are a lot of discussions that yes, we need peace, but not at any cost. In general, one does not need anything at any cost, because everything has a price, and peace can be achieved not at the cost of everything, not at any cost, but at the cost of peace itself.
I am saying all this on this occasion to emphasize the direction and desire of our policy, but also to record that we still have a long way to go to achieve this goal, a very difficult and complicated way.
Unfortunately, the security challenges facing our country are not only unresolved, but remain concerning. All of us, first of all the country's political leadership, must work to ensure peace and stability along our country's borders.
By and large, our strategic goal is to hand over all the borders of the Republic of Armenia to border guards so that they can perform their special functions: border protection, which includes the fight against illegal migration, the fight against illegal border crossings, the fight against illegal activities, fight against drug trafficking, etc.
I consider it important to emphasize this context in relation to the service of the border guard troops. But right now, talking about our vision for the future, I want to emphasize this day and the past. We should once again pay our respects to all the border guard troops who fell for the sake of the Motherland and the future.
I would like to thank all of you for your service during this time, for that you carry shoulder marks on behalf of the Republic of Armenia and the people of Armenia. I want to thank your family members, because your service brings with it difficulties also for your families. I would like to wish success to all the border guard troops of the Republic of Armenia, to all of us, the Republic of Armenia, in fulfilling our mission. And we have only one mission: to ensure the safe, prosperous development and future of the Republic of Armenia, to ensure the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, to guarantee that the Republic of Armenia as an independent state will be handed down from generation to generation to the proud and dignified citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
Congratulations once again, thank you for your service”.
The Prime Minister presented state awards for the bravery and dedication shown in defending the borders of the Motherland. Captain Hrant Arzumanyan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, Sergeant Karen Sargsyan was posthumously awarded the Medal for Combat Service. The Prime Minister handed over the awards to their relatives.
Nikol Pashinyan presented Medals for Combat Service to lieutenant colonel Vahan Hambardzumyan and captain Vladimir Tumasyan.
Prime Minister Pashinyan also laid flowers at the khachkar dedicated to the memory of border guards who fell for the Motherland, paying tribute to their memory.
21:52,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to the international and regional security, fight against terrorism․
Reference was made to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region․
Secretary of Security Council of Armenia, Director of US CIA discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Turkey negotiations
22:02,
YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. On July 15, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan met with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Security Council of Armenia, the interlocutors discussed the future process of Armenia-US bilateral relations.
During the meeting, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia presented the regional security environment, existing challenges and Armenia's approach to establishing peace in the region. In this context, the parties discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Turkey negotiation processes.