11:16,
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Embassies of 37 countries resumed their operation in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.
“37 foreign missions have already resumed their work in Kiev. I am grateful to all of them”, the Ukrainian President said, expressing confidence that other missions will be back in the capital city soon.
By Sabina Mammadli
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in Yerevan discussed the prospects for the restoration of transport communications in the South Caucasus with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azernews reports.
The discussion was held during a visit of the Russian delegation led by Overchuck and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko to Yerevan on May 12.
As the head of the working group on opening communications, Overchuk stated that maximum efforts are being made both with Mher Grigoryan and Shahin Mustafayev to resolve these issues.
In his turn, Pashinyan highly appreciated the work already done within the framework of the trilateral working group on the opening of the regional communications, road, and rail links.
“When we come to concrete decisions, it will change the situation in the region not only economically, but also politically, psychologically, and in terms of security,” he said.
He added that the work is underway and Armenia is keen on a concrete positive result.
Overchuk further underscored that opening of the communications links will completely change the entire transport configuration of the region.
“The Armenian economy will be open to new opportunities for development, receiving an additional impetus, and in this regard, the role of Armenia will significantly increase,” he added.
Furthermore, the deputy prime minister stated that all coronavirus restrictions are going to be lifted on May 16, which means that all issues that have hindered contact between the countries are being removed.
During the meeting, the sides also discussed further progress of work carried out within the framework of the tripartite statement of January 11.
Earlier, Pashinyan met with Russian President Putin in Moscow. The key topic of their discussion was the opening of all transport communications.
Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk have signed a number of documents as part of the 20th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on April 26.
Azerbaijan and Russia cooperate in a variety of sectors, including economy, agriculture, customs, communications, high technology, and so on. Azerbaijani investments in Russia’s economy have exceeded $1.2 billion, with the majority of these investments being in the non-oil sector. In addition, Russian investments in Azerbaijan’s economy totaled $6.3 billion, with $5 billion invested in the oil sector and $1.3 billion invested in non-oil sectors. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia amounted to $2.9 billion in 2021, making Russia Azerbaijan’s third-largest partner.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Declaration on “Allied Interaction between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation” on February 22.
The declaration aims to raise Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level – that of allied relations.
The parties agree to promote cooperation in the political, economic, defense, cultural, humanitarian, educational, and social spheres, as well as healthcare, youth cooperation, and sports, based on mutual historical traditions of friendship and good neighborliness, as well as deep cultural and humanitarian ties.
11:45,
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Chair of the Accounts Chamber of Russia Aleksei Kudrin, the PM’s Office said.
PM Pashinyan said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Armenian-Russian diplomatic relations, which is marked by active bilateral high-ranking mutual visits. According to him, they contribute to the close partnership between the governments and other bodies, the strengthening of ties and exchange of experience. Pashinyan added that the purpose of the government is to make the activity of the public administration system more effective and in this context he highlighted Russia’s experience, as well as the cooperation of the Armenian Audit Chamber and the Accounts Chamber of Russia.
Aleksei Kudrin said that they have held productive discussions with Armenian partners, which, he said, are important in terms of applying new approaches in the activity. He also attached importance to expanding the cooperation and presented the activity and results of the Accounts Chamber.
The sides also exchanged ideas about other issues of the Armenian-Russian relations agenda.
Aleksei Kudrin also met with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan during which they discussed the development of the cooperation.
This aerial image captured on shows the Rize-Artvin Airport with the Black Sea in the background, in Rize, northeastern Turkey. (DHA Photo)
The Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents met Saturday and jointly inaugurated the Rize-Artvin Airport, Turkey’s second airport built on a reclaimed area in the rugged northeastern Black Sea region.
The first flight to the airport, Turkish Airlines (THY) flight 2538, which took off from Istanbul at 8:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. GMT) landed at the Rize-Artvin airport at 10:35 a.m. local time (7:35 a.m. GMT).
Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu welcomed the passengers. Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi was the first to step out of the plane and spoke to journalists about the significance of the airport.
The THY plane carrying 320 passengers was renamed “Rize-Artvin” to mark the inauguration and the aircraft was piloted by Mustafa Inanç Ersoy, a native of the Pazar district of Rize.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev later arrived at the airport using charter flights.
In his speech, Aliyev reminded Turkey’s support in their victory in the Karabakh war and said that most of the companies working with the airport currently are working to rebuild regions liberated from the Armenian occupation.
President Erdoğan, a native of Rize’s Güneysu district, said the number of airports in Turkey rose from 26 to 57 during successive Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments.
The airport, the second in Turkey built using sea embankment after Ordu-Giresun Airport, has an annual capacity of 3 million passengers.
It is also the fifth airport in the world built on an area reclaimed from the sea, using 100 million tons of rocks in the process.
11:50,
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tested positive for COVID-19, she said on Instagram.
“Despite best efforts, unfortunately I’ve joined the rest of my family and have tested positive for COVID 19. We’ve been isolating since Sunday when Clarke first tested positive. Neve tested positive on Wednesday and I returned a weak positive last night and a strong one this morning”, she said.
Jacinda Ardern said she will not be in parliament for the government’s emissions reduction plan on Monday and the budget on Thursday.
Issue of final status of Nagorno Karabakh fundamental for Armenia: Marukyan releases 6 points presented by Armenian side
01:05,
YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan released the 6-point proposal made by Armenia for the settlement of the relations with Azerbaijan.
In an interview to the Public TV, Mr. Marukyan said that the 1st point says that the Armenian side responds to the letter of the Azerbaijani side dated February 21, which was handed over to the Armenian side on March 11.
In the 2nd point the Armenian side says that the Republic of Armenia has never had and does not have territorial claims to Azerbaijan. “As you remember, Azerbaijan says there that you should not have territorial claims to us. We say that listen, we haven’t had territorial claims to you. And from the very beginning, all leaderships of Armenia have always announced that we do not have a territorial claim. It says here that on December 8, 1991, by jointly signing with Azerbaijan the treaty on the establishment of the CIS, Armenia ratified that treaty on February 18, 1992. That is, at that time when we signed it, we mutually recognized each other’s territorial integrity and borders by joining that organization”, Marukyan said.
According to the 3rd point, the issues on guaranteeing the security of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, respecting their rights and freedoms, as well as determining the final status of Nagorno Karabakh are fundamental for the Armenian side.
Marukyan said that in the 4th point the Armenian side considers important the commitments enshrined in the 2020 November 9, 2021 January 11 and November 26 statements signed by the Armenian Prime Minister, the President of Russia and the Azerbaijani President. “And what are those commitments? The return of the prisoners of war, which has not been done till today, the opening of communications which Azerbaijan delays”, Marukyan said, adding that with this point the Armenian side makes it clear that it continues remaining committed to its obligations, but Azerbaijan does not.
The 5th point states that the Armenian side is ready to start negotiations for the settlement of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, for the establishment of inter-state relations based on the UN Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Helsinki Final Act. “These are the basic principles that have existed from the beginning. In other words, the nations’ right to self-determination and other important rights and freedoms are enshrined here”, he said.
Edmon Marukyan added that with the 6th point the Armenian side states that Armenia applied to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs for the respective negotiations.
13:00,
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Cabinet approved the new draft Penitentiary Code of Armenia.
Justice Minister Karen Andreasyan said the draft is an entirely new code.
“The last time a draft like this was adopted was in 2004, meaning the current law is almost 20 years old and requires modernization. The current law still has some regulations from Soviet times, and this new code will change it,” he said.
One of the changes envisaged in the new code is introducing the new designations of prisons. Previously the security levels of prisons were classified as follows: open, semi-open, semi-closed, closed, and medical divisions, whereas now there will be three types of security levels of prisons – low, medium and high.
Another change refers to the Hospital of Convicts, which is currently designated as a separate prison.
The new law will adjust the medical facility to the three security levels accordingly.
A new system will be introduced to prevent self-harm and suicide among inmates.
13:04,
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced today that the government is planning to introduce a new system of social significance according to which if a pensioner makes purchases with a bank card, a certain percentage of money will be transferred back to his/her card.
During the Cabinet meeting the PM said that they will introduce this system soon.
“You know that starting this year we have expanded the volumes of non-cash payments of pensions, and we are going to introduce the following system in the future according to which we should apply discounts if a purchase is made by the bank cards of all pensioners. If a pensioner makes a purchase with a bank card, we will introduce a system of discounts which has several very important meanings. Firstly, just a social meaning, secondly, a reduction in cash turnover, thirdly – an analysis of the data of that trade, as a result of which it could be possible to make the social policy effective and find the further sensitive points for the needs of our pensioners”, the PM said.
13:16,
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. Arkadi Peleshyan has been appointed as acting mayor of Vanadzor town according to the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The PM’s respective decision is posted on .
13:58,
YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS participating states in Tajikistan’s capital of Dushanbe, the ministry said in a news release.
During the extended-format session the CIS foreign ministers exchanged views about the issues of mutual interest relating to regional and international agenda, touched upon the opportunities of strengthening the mutual partnership within the CIS. The further activity directions of the organization were also discussed.
During the session the Armenian FM also touched upon his meeting with the Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers on May 12, expressing hope that it will be a step towards establishment of peace and stability in the region. Mirzoyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the implementation of the agreements reached by the 2020 November 9, 2021 January 11 and November 26 statements.
FM Mirzoyan also presented the position of the Armenian side over the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and in this respect highlighted promoting the peace process under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.
The CIS Foreign Ministers observed the report on the 2021 multi-level consultation plan between the CIS foreign ministries. The decision on granting “Silk Road” International University of Tourism a status of a base organization of the CIS participating states in tourism sector and other documents were agreed upon. A decision was also made about the CIS Youth Capital international project which aims at boosting the cooperation of the CIS states towards creating conditions for promoting youth potential.