Category: 2022

The special representatives of Armenia and Turkey have reached an agreement to open the border between the two countries for the citizens of third countries; also, to carry out cargo transportation—by air transport—between the two countries. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this at the beginning of Thursday’s Cabinet meeting of the government of Armenia.

"Now it is very important that our departments work with the corresponding departments of Turkey because the implementation of agreements depends on that work. My instruction is that we work in a coordinated manner so that we can implement the agreements reached as soon as possible," Pashinyan added.

Considering the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the delimitation of borders will not be a simple process, there will be sensitive moments, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, APA reports..

"The formation of commissions on determining borders was a complex process in itself. Armenia had preconditions. They demanded de-escalation measures and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani soldiers from the borders," the Azerbaijani official said. 

"However, Azerbaijan put forward its position. We believe that we stand on our borders and it is our duty to protect borders. This process should be conducted by analyzing historical and legal documents through negotiations with the participation of experts.

Delimitation is a time-consuming process. It is impossible to start the process at any time and complete it in a short time.

Considering the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it will not be a simple process, there will be sensitive moments. However, we consider that the commission itself is already progress.

We have already held the first meeting, and further meetings are not excluded," Bayramov added.

At Thursday’s special session of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, the MPs passed—in the second and final reading—the package of amendments to the Law on Defense as well as to some other related laws.

According to these amendments, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia will henceforth have the status of the First Deputy Minister of Defense as well.

These law amendments were adopted unanimously—with 58 votes in favor.

The parliamentary opposition neither attended the respective NA special session nor the voting on this matter.

As per these amendments, although the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces shall become the First Deputy Minister of Defense as well, in the absence of the Minister of Defense, he will not perform the duties of the Minister.

Accountability will extend to defense procurement. The Ministry of Defense will take over from the General Staff of the Armed Forces the matters of material support, so that the leadership of the Armenian army is freed from economic matters and focuses on defense tasks.

The MPs of the German Bundestag have appealed to the National Assembly of Armenia in the hope of solving through a fair trial the criminal case in connection with the fatal hit-and-run involving Sona Mnatsakanyan, and ensuring justice for the possible culprits. Attorney Raffi Aslanyan wrote about this on Facebook.

They drew the attention of the Armenian MPs to what had occurred, and asked them to carefully follow this case and to ensure justice for Mnatsakanyan and her family.

On April 26, a motorcade ran over Sona Mnatsakanyan, 28, at a downtown Yerevan intersection, and she died in hospital without regaining consciousness. The said motorcade was accompanying Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and the woman who died was pregnant.

A new village will be built for the first time in the history of independent Armenia. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting of the government—and referring to the construction of the Kaps Reservoir.

Regarding the construction of this reservoir, the PM emphasized the effective management of water resources.

"There, for the first time in the history of Armenia, we are basically going to build a new village. And it is very important that this project goes very successfully, and we can introduce a 21st-century village model there, form a new urban culture that will meet our today's expectations and demands," said the premier.

The government has allocated about 13.3 billion drams to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure for the implementation of three major projects, and one of them is in connection with the Kaps Reservoir.