Category: 2022

Armenia expects EU supports peace process according to mandate of OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairmanship – FM

 09:58, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenia-EU Partnership Council is, indeed, a unique platform, where we have in-depth discussions and exchange of views on various topics, ranging from specific aspects of our Armenia-EU bilateral agenda, to regional affairs, to political matters, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan told reporters in Brussels ahead of the session of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council.

“It is a great pleasure to be here today in Brussels to chair the fourth meeting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council. It is highly satisfying that despite the current circumstances and challenges for all of us, we manage to ensure the continuity of our talks and cooperation on various levels.

The Armenia-EU Partnership Council is, indeed, a unique platform, where we have in-depth discussions and exchange of views on various topics, ranging from specific aspects of our Armenia-EU bilateral agenda, to regional affairs, to political matters. And I anticipate that in line with the already established tradition we will have an open and engaged dialogue.

Notably, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, and it is symbolic that this year also marks the 1st anniversary of the entry into force of the CEPA – the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union.

And of course, we will also reflect on the implementation of this agreement.

Today we also will speak about the situation in the South Caucasus and the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and also about the process of the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. And here we expect that the European Union supports the peace process according to the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Also, the remaining humanitarian issues – the particular issue of the release of the Armenian POWs and detainees, the protection of Armenian cultural heritage and other remaining issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed as well.

All in all, I would like to state that today’s meeting will be a huge step towards a better understanding, a higher level of partnership and also a higher level of peace and prosperity for our citizens”, the FM said in his remarks and then answered to the questions of reporters.

Question: Let me, please, clarify one moment. Yerevan proposed its vision of peace with Azerbaijan, suggesting to discuss also the rights and security of those people living in Nagorno-Karabakh. Talking about the readiness of Azerbaijan – is Baku ready to start negotiations based on that?

Ararat Mirzoyan: Well, actually, as you said, we published our vision of the peace process. And at first, we said that in the points suggested by Azerbaijan there is nothing unacceptable for the Armenian side but these points do not address the whole agenda, the whole spectrum of the existing issues of the potential and expected peace treaty. And here for us is crucial to discuss the rights and issue of security in Nagorno-Karabakh as well as the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. We also think that it is important to continue these negotiations on the peace treaty in the frame of and according to the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. So far, we haven’t heard a positive reaction from Azerbaijan to these points. But you know that efforts are being made in order to have these negotiations possible. So I can only stress our readiness and our commitment to have peace and stability in our region. But to have this we need two sides.

Question: One follow-up question: You said that the first meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan on demarcation will be scheduled for May. Yesterday and before yesterday, on May 16-17, but finally this meeting did not take place. May I ask why?

Ararat Mirzoyan: You are right, the meeting didn’t take place but I can assure you that we will continue our talks about organizing this meeting. There are some technicalities to be agreed by the sides. And hopefully, in the upcoming days and weeks, we will finally have this meeting.

 10:03, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is seeing a large influx of both Russians and Ukrainians ever since the Russian invasion into Ukraine began in late February – in what Moscow describes as a “special military operation” and Kiev says is an unprovoked attack. 

Now, 200 Ukrainian citizens have already requested asylum in Armenia. More than half of the asylum seekers are ethnic Armenians.

Nelly Davtyan, the Public Relations Director at the Migration Service of Armenia, told ARMENPRESS that 5938 Ukrainian citizens arrived to Armenia in the first quarter of 2022 (2079 in January, 1597 in February and 2262 in March), compared to the previous year’s 2531. Moreover, most of them (5631) left Armenia in the same first quarter. And from the remaining over 300 Ukrainians 200 applied for asylum.

“Right now we have more than 200 people who’ve applied for refugee status, 60% of them are ethnic Armenians, the other 40% are ethnic Ukrainians,” Davtyan said.

If the asylum seekers get the refugee status, they will have the right of legal residence in Armenia and a conventional travel document which is valid in nearly 160 countries who have the same asylum procedures. Right now, the applications are being processed and could take up to 3 months – the standard processing time. However, whenever the first precedent decision is made, the rest (which are similar cases) will proceed faster.

Meanwhile, Davtyan added that the Russian citizens who’ve arrived in Armenia are exempt from the requirement of obtaining work permit and residency status because they are citizens of an Eurasian Economic Union country. They are entitled to stay freely for up to 180 days.

“If their work activities require longer time, the Migration Service gives them a document stating that they are residing and working in Armenia legally. A certificate in the form of a plastic card is issued. It is issued for free in a rather short period of time, from a week up to ten days,” Davtyan said.

The applications are being received online at workpermit.am. The card is issued with the same term as the applicant’s work contract, for example: if a Russian citizen has signed a 5-year work contract in Armenia with a company, they will receive a 5-year certificate. If the contract is signed indefinitely, the standard term for the card is 1 year with the possibility of extension.

142,117 Russian citizens arrived in Armenia in the first quarter of this year (47,381 in January, 40,036 in February and 54,700 in March). In the previous year’s same period, this number was 43,045.

However, 138,111 Russian citizens have left Armenia in the same first quarter. The remainder is around 4000. Davtyan, however, emphasized that this doesn’t mean that there were only 4000 Russian citizens in Armenia as of the quarterly data. “This is a small number, because in January and also in February the departure of Russian citizens was very large. It is possible that this departure also reflected the Armenian work migrants who hold Russian citizenship, who leave for Russia in spring and winter for work,” Davtyan said.

Meanwhile, according to the State Registry data, more than 1500 Russian citizens registered businesses in Armenia in the first quarter.  “I don’t think 1500 out of 4000 would get registered as legal entities. The [4000] number is actually many times more,” Davtyan said.

Russia attacked Ukraine in late February, following what Moscow describes as Kiev’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The German- and French-brokered protocols were designed to give the breakaway regions special status within the Ukrainian state.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join the US-led NATO military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked and has denied claims it was planning to retake the two republics by force.

 

Anna Grigoryan

 10:24, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. On May 18, the Armenia-EU Partnership Council met for the fourth time in Brussels – for the first time since the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force on 1 March 2021. The meeting took place in a particularly difficult international context that has created multiple challenges to both the EU and to Armenia in terms of security and economic stability, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia said in a press release.

The Partnership Council reviewed the implementation of CEPA, which covers a wide range of cooperation sectors in political, economic and trade areas, and welcomed the progress achieved. The EU welcomed Armenia’s commitment to CEPA implementation, appreciated positively the reforms undertaken and encouraged the government to pursue its reform agenda to the benefit of Armenian citizens, which the EU fully supports.

The Partnership Council reiterated the shared commitment of Armenia and the EU to human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and democratic principles. The Partnership Council welcomed the accomplishments to date in the implementation of Armenia’s national strategy for judicial and legal reforms and its national anti-corruption strategy, while acknowledging that challenges remain. The EU is engaged in a constructive policy dialogue with Armenia and provides significant financial and technical support to these reforms efforts. The EU is committed to work with Armenia to make further progress towards freedom of the media and freedom of _expression_, as well as on the fight against discrimination.

In the area of transport, the Partnership Council welcomed the signature of the Common Aviation Area Agreement on 15 November 2021. With this agreement, both sides engage in a process to improve Armenia’s aviation safety that may gradually lead to Armenia’s inclusion in the EU’s aviation market with new air transport opportunities, more direct connections and economic benefits to both sides.

The Partnership Council noted that, following its graduation from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, Armenia can no longer benefit from the generous access to the EU market offered by the scheme. It however highlighted that while CEPA did not provide for preferential tariffs for trade in goods, it contained important potential for benefitting bilateral trade flows that should be fully exploited.

The Partnership Council agreed that nuclear safety was a priority and took note of Armenia’s progress in this regard and of Armenia’s commitment to fully implement the National Action Plan adopted as a part of the EU supported stress test process. It also reaffirmed the importance of combating climate change under the Paris Agreement and in accordance with the CEPA. To this end, the EU welcomed Armenia’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution targets and encouraged Armenia to adopt a Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy, aiming at reaching climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the EU’s commitment.

The Partnership Council welcomed Armenia-EU cooperation in the areas of employment and education, underlining the importance to amend the Labour Code and revise legislation on trade unions and employers to further align the Armenian legal framework with the International Labour Organisation fundamental conventions. The EU encouraged Armenia’s efforts to adopt the new education strategy and reiterated its interest to strengthen cooperation with the Armenian authorities on Education, Training and Youth strategies. The Partnership Council expressed appreciation for the successful cooperation on Erasmus+ and welcomed the association of Armenia to the EU programme Horizon Europe that will allow the continuation of the participation of Armenian researchers and research entities to European Research and Innovation projects.

The Partnership Council took note of Armenia’s willingness to start a visa liberalisation dialogue with the EU. The EU noted the overall good implementation of the Visa Facilitation agreement and of the Readmission agreements and invited Armenia to sustain its efforts.

The Partnership Council agreed on the importance of the Eastern Partnership framework as an essential cooperation platform. It also reiterated that the fundamental issues of democracy, good governance, rule of law, fight against corruption, human rights and gender equality remained the cornerstone of the Eastern Partnership policy framework. The Partnership Council noted that Armenia stood to benefit from the Eastern Partnership’s agenda of recovery, resilience and reform, and from the ambitious Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) with flagship initiatives determined by EU and Armenia, underpinning this agenda that will provide support to stimulate jobs and growth, support connectivity, the green and digital transition, education and development of southern regions.

Ahead of the Partnership Council, the EU issued the Partnership Implementation Report on developments in Armenia and Armenia-EU relations since the previous Partnership Council in December 2020. The report underlines Armenia’s progress in implementing the CEPA and the key role of the EU in supporting it.

The Partnership Council was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Ararat Mirzoyan, and the EU delegation was led by the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Josep Borrell. The Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Mr Olivér Várhelyi also participated in the meeting.

 10:31, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Since the launch of the military operations in Ukraine, the citizens of Russia and Ukraine have registered 1907 and 20 private entrepreneurships in Armenia respectively, as well as limited liability companies, the Justice Ministry of Armenia said in response to the query of ARMENPRESS.

Russian citizens and/or legal entities registered 1011 LLCs in the Armenian Justice Ministry’s State Register Agency of Legal Entities from February 24 to May 17 of this year. 1907 citizens have been registered in Armenia as private entrepreneurs.

As for their economic activity in Armenia, the ministry mentioned software development as a frequent type of activity, as well as activities in IT and computer techniques.

 

Anna Grigoryan

 10:33, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory letter to the new Prime Minister of France Elisabeth Borne, the PM’s office said.

The letter reads:

“Dear Mrs. Prime Minister,

I warmly congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister of France, wishing you success in your high mission.

I am confident that the rich experience gained during your long professional activity and past political path will serve as best to the welfare of friendly France and the French people.

I am convinced that our governments will continue closely cooperating in the implementation of current and new programs with the spirit of the Armenian-French unique relations, for maximally using the entire potential of the multi-sectoral cooperation between Armenia and France.

In this respect the further joint efforts aimed at implementing the goals of the roadmap of the 2021-2026 Armenian-French economic cooperation signed in Paris in December 2021 are highly important.

Once again wishing you a lot of energy and success, please, accept, the assurances of my highest respect”.

 11:59, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Prosecutor General of Armenia Srbuhi Galyan presented to lawmakers at the emergency parliament session the government-authored bill on amending the stolen asset recovery law.

Galyan said the bill seeks to enhance the timeframes of probes and revision of opportunities of confiscation of stolen assets, among others.

She said that the amendments will definitely contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the highly important law.

The bill on amending the stolen asset recovery law, officially known as the Law on Confiscation of Illegally-Obtained Assets was earlier approved by the parliamentary Committee on State-Legal Affairs.

Deputy Prosecutor-General Srbuhi Galyan said at the committee meeting that the amendments will expand the meaning of the term “official person” and in addition to public office holders anyone having the obligation to asset disclosure in terms of public service will be considered an “official person”.

In addition, the amendments seek to authorize the investigative body to launch studies at its own initiative, but only in the event of suspicions arising on an illegally-obtained asset during existing proceedings. 

The stolen asset recovery law, officially known as the Law on Confiscation of Illegally-Obtained Assets, was adopted by parliament in 2020 April. In September of 2020 the division in charge of investigating alleged illicitly acquired assets was launched in the general prosecution.

 12:40, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. On May 19, Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan received the delegation of the Standing Senate Commission on Media led by the First Vice President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Jiří Růžička, the Parliament’s press service said.

The Speaker of Parliament highlighted the fact that the Czech colleagues are concerned about the media problems in Armenia today, noting that most of the heads of different wings of the power of our country are from the media field. He also reminded about his former media activities, stressing that the freedom of speech and press are one of the priorities of our country.

The sides expressed satisfaction for the rather active cooperation during the last years between the parliaments of Armenia and the Czech Republic. Alen Simonyan informed the attendees that he invited the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Markéta Pekarová Adamová to Armenia.

Both sides highly appreciated the cooperation between the Friendship Groups functioning in the National Assembly of Armenia and in the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Taking into consideration the fact that at the second half of the current year the Czech Republic will assume the presidency in the Council of the European Union, Alen Simonyan noted that Armenia expects the political support of the Czech Republic in launching the dialogue on the visa liberalization. He considered important the activation the Eastern Partnership Programme within the framework of the presidency of the Czech side, as because of the change of geopolitical realities its de-integration is noticed. Alen Simonyan added that the Armenia-European Union Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement opens new perspectives for deepening cooperation not only with the European Union, but also the member countries, particularly the Czech Republic.

At the meeting the 44-day war and the problems caused because of it was touched upon. As a result of exchange of ideas on the settlement of the humanitarian issues, the Speaker of Parliament asked the Czech colleagues’ support for their quick solution.

 12:40, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Prosecutor General of Armenia says some of the demonstrators who are now protesting in the streets are current persons of interest in ongoing stolen asset recovery probes.

Deputy Prosecutor General Srbuhi Galyan was presenting to lawmakers the bill on amending the stolen asset recovery law. During the debates, Member of Parliament Hovik Aghazaryan from the ruling Civil Contract party asked Galyan whether or not there are people among the anti-government demonstrators who are currently under proceedings as part of the stolen asset recovery law.

“Yes, there are, but I want to mention that on the path of building a country of law there are internationally adopted legal instruments which developed countries must have, and the legislation on the confiscation of illegally acquired assets is one of these highly important instruments. I think that we, as representatives of a country of law, certainly cannot abandon these ideas,” Galyan said.

When asked again on the involvement of suspects in the protests, Galyan said the political opinions or affiliations of any given person going through proceedings under the law don’t matter for the prosecution.

The Deputy Prosecutor General of Armenia Srbuhi Galyan presented to lawmakers at the emergency parliament session the government-authored bill on amending the stolen asset recovery law.

Galyan said the bill seeks to enhance the timeframes of probes and revision of opportunities of confiscation of stolen assets, among others.

She said that the amendments will definitely contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the highly important law.

The bill on amending the stolen asset recovery law, officially known as the Law on Confiscation of Illegally-Obtained Assets was earlier approved by the parliamentary Committee on State-Legal Affairs.

Deputy Prosecutor-General Srbuhi Galyan said at the committee meeting that the amendments will expand the meaning of the term “official person” and in addition to public office holders anyone having the obligation to asset disclosure in terms of public service will be considered an “official person”.

In addition, the amendments seek to authorize the investigative body to launch studies at its own initiative, but only in the event of suspicions arising on an illegally-obtained asset during existing proceedings. 

The stolen asset recovery law, officially known as the Law on Confiscation of Illegally-Obtained Assets, was adopted by parliament in 2020 April. In September of 2020 the division in charge of investigating alleged illicitly acquired assets was launched in the general prosecution.

 13:11, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian side has lawful substantiations on the existing Armenian exclaves in Azerbaijan, whereas Azerbaijan hasn’t yet produced any substantiations, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan said at a press briefing.

A reporter asked Grigoryan to comment on the statements made from Azerbaijan claiming that Azerbaijan has exclaves in Armenia which must be returned to them during delimitation.

Grigoryan said that Azerbaijan hasn’t presented any legal grounds on any exclaves. “Whereas the Armenian side has legal grounds on existing [Armenian exclaves] in Azerbaijani territory. And in this regard Armenia’s position continues to be the following: we expect Azerbaijan to present legal grounds over the exclaves it mentions, if they are raising such issues,” Grigoryan said.

 13:13, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. There is a memorandum on biosafety between Armenia and Russia, all issues raised by Russian partners have always received exhaustive answers. Such laboratories operating in Armenia are aimed at serving only the interests of Armenia, only citizens of Armenia are working there, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan told reporters after the Cabinet meeting, commenting on the reports according to which there are problems connected with biosafety in Armenia, and the Russian side has questions.

Grigoryan informed that a working group is operating by the decree of the Armenian Prime Minister, which is coordinating the biosafety sector within Armenia. The group is coordinated by the Secretary of the Security Council.

“The working group is working intensively with all our international partners. At the coordination of the working group, specialists from Russia once visited Armenia, and the Armenian side gave exhaustive answers to all the issues voiced by these specialists”, he said.

He assured that only citizens of Armenia work in that laboratories of Armenia. “These laboratories operate according to the Armenian legislation and are aimed at serving only the interests of Armenia. Moreover, issues relating to biosafety have always been on the agenda of the cooperation of the Offices of Security Council of Armenia and Russia. And all questions voiced by our Russian partners have always received comprehensive answers”, Armen Grigoryan said.

He informed that recently the head of the Office of the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Hayk Petrosyan visited Moscow where he discussed all the existing issues with the inter-agency commission. “The Armenian side has given exhaustive answers to all the questions. This working group has also discussed deepening the cooperation between Armenia and Russia in the field of biosafety”, he said.

He said that the memorandum on biosafety between Armenia and Russia was signed last year and the cooperation is coordinated by this document. “We continue working on making that memorandum a reality. Armenia continues cooperating with all its partners on biosafety-related issues in order to constantly improve its capacities in resisting different threats. We are conducting this cooperation also based on transparency and high international standards”, Armen Grigoryan said.