Category: 2022

Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Citizen’s Day

 10:01,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a message on the occasion of the Citizen’s Day, his Office said.

The message reads:

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

I warmly congratulate all of us on the occasion of the Citizen’s Day.

This holiday was enshrined to record the key role of the most important institute of the democratic state – the Citizen, in the development of state.

The non-violent, velvet and people’s Revolution of 2018 is the symbol of establishment of Citizen’s power in Armenia, and this value is irreversible and unshakeable.

The page of falsification of elections and depriving the Citizen of the constitutional right to make decisions is left in the past, and Armenia is perceived all over the world as a country with electoral democracy.

Also because that after the 44-day devastating war of 2020 the Citizen firstly not only did not allow his/her country’s entry into the chaos, but also raised the democratic profile of our country in the difficult post-war period.

Dear people, proud Citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

We have gone through and are going through indescribable, sometimes,  unbearable difficulties. Every day, every hour, at every step an attempt is made to infect us with the infection of doubt and hesitation, an attempt is made to shake our faith to our past and future, and most importantly to our mission.

I call on, ask you all, urge you all – don’t doubt, don’t hesitate, we are not the author of the disasters that have befallen on our country, we have suffered a cruel fate and have a sacred mission – to lead our homeland through inevitable disasters that have befallen on us for many years, and deliver it to a peaceful, prosperous and happy future.

And on this path our knees have not bent and will not bend. Now more than ever I am convinced we are moving on a right path and we will take our ship, that appeared in a stormy ocean, to a peaceful destination.

Long live the Freedom,

Long live the Republic of Armenia,

Long live our children who will live in a free and happy Armenia,

Eternal glory to our martyrs”.

 11:07,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. 2 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 422,867, the ministry of health said.

2833 tests were conducted on April 29.

The daily recoveries rose by 12 (411,050 total recoveries).

No death case has been registered. The death toll stands at 8622.

As of April 30, the number of active cases is 1512.

 11:20,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Governor of Syunik province Robert Ghukasyan received Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri. The meeting was also attended by Mayor of Kapan Gevorg Parsyan and head of the Syunik department of Police Alexander Mamikonyan, the Governor’s Office said.

The main topic discussed at the meeting was the Consulate of Iran that is going to open in Kapan and in this context the actions to be taken to deepen and strengthen the cooperation between Syunik and Iran in different areas.

Governor Robert Ghukasyan thanked the diplomat for the visit, stating that the relations with Iran are very important for Armenia, especially for Syunik, and the governorate is ready to do everything to make the bilateral ties more effective.

In his turn the Iranian Ambassador said that despite the close cultural ties, the economic relations between the two countries are not at a desirable level, stressing the need for efforts on this direction. He also thanked for helping Iranian citizens who appeared in a difficult situation in the inter-state highway because of heavy snows this year in March.

The Ambassador reminded the position of Iran on the inviolability of Armenia’s internationally recognized borders and said that all countries should respect it. “Statements on corridors around communication routes are unacceptable for us, we believe that Armenia should preserve its territorial integrity”, he said.

The Governor of Syunik and the Mayor of Kapan thanked the Ambassador for Iran’s official position on “corridor”. “Your opinion is important and is appreciated by each resident of Syunik”, Robert Ghukasyan said.

9 months ago the Iranian side reached an agreement to open a consulate in Kapan, and the Ambassador said that the purpose of this is to develop the relations in all areas. He also introduced the consul at the meeting, adding that they will soon present the staff of the consulate to the Armenian foreign ministry.

The Iranian side also talked about its interest to the section of the North-South highway passing via Syunik and informed that there are Iranian companies who expressed readiness to participate in the construction of that section.

The sides also discussed economic, cultural, educational and other issues.

Gevorg Parsyan informed that the teaching of Persian will start in the community’s educational institution from September.

At the end of the visit the Iranian guests observed sites for the future consulate building in Kapan.

 12:53,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan made a statement for the press following his meeting with his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili, who arrived in Armenia on an official visit.

The statement says:

“Honorable Mr. Darchiashvili,

Dear colleagues, 

I would like to welcome my colleague Ilia Darchiashvili, the Foreign Minister of Georgia, who is in Yerevan on his first official visit, and once again congratulate him and wish him success in assuming the responsible post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. 

This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. The friendship between Armenia and Georgia is based on common values and strong historical ties deriving from the depths of the centuries, and I want to state that since independence we have developed close cooperation with Georgia in almost every sphere. The development of special neighborly relations between our countries and the further deepening of multifaceted cooperation is one of the important priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, enshrined in the program of the Government.

I would like to state with commendation that there is a high level of political dialogue and cooperation within bilateral and multilateral platforms between Armenia and Georgia. This is evidenced by regular reciprocal visits at the highest levels, effective cooperation in the political, economic, communication, security and humanitarian spheres, as well as within international organizations, about further expansion of which we had detailed discussions with my colleague.

Armenia attaches great importance to the joint efforts for the general development and promotion in the region, another manifestation of which is the cooperation between our countries in the effort of establishing the “Persian Gulf- Back Sea International Transport-Transit Corridor”.

Dear colleagues, 

Today we also touched upon issues of regional and international security and stability.

I comprehensively presented to my colleague the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and Armenia’s position on the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability, and on the negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement with Azerbaijan. In this context, I underlined the mediating role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in advancing the peace process aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

I should mention that humanitarian issues remain unresolved. In violation of international humanitarian law and the provisions of the November 9 Trilateral Statement, Azerbaijan continues to illegally hold Armenian prisoners of war and civilians hostage. The desecration and destruction of the identity of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage by Azerbaijan in the territories fallen under the control of Azerbaijan as a result of the 44-day war remain of particular importance. The latest such example is the desecration of the St. Harutyun Church in Hadrut. For the prevention of these recurring cases of vandalism, currently the visit of the UNESCO assessment mission to the region is urgent as before.

Honorable Minister,

I once again welcome You in Yerevan. I am convinced that the friendly relations established between our countries, as well as the brotherly ties of Armenian and Georgian people provide a solid foundation for strengthening and developing existing achievements of partnership”.

 12:59,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan received today Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili, the Parliament’s press service said.

Alen Simonyan congratulated Ilia Darchiashvili on assuming office and on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said that the constant development of the special friendly relations with Georgia is among Armenia’s priorities, which is also reflected in the Armenian government’s 2021-2026 action plan.

The sides discussed issues relating to regional security and stability. The Parliament Speaker said that for this purpose Armenia is taking steps to improve the relations with all its neighbors.

He reminded Azerbaijan’s constant violations of the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement, stating that these actions are directed to exerting psychological pressure on the people of Nagorno Karabakh and disrupting the normal operation of vital infrastructure there. The meeting also touched upon the issue of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives held in Azerbaijan. Alen Simonyan reaffirmed the priority of guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and the importance of the status of Nagorno Karabakh, attaching great importance to the launch of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan around a peace treaty and the implementation of other respective actions.

The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked for the welcome and said that Georgia is always ready for close cooperation and support to contribute to peace. He said peaceful neighborhood and resisting challenges together are important for the development of the region.

The sides highlighted the necessity of moving on in all directions for developing the bilateral ties.

 13:32,

YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili, who is in Armenia on an official visit, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims.

The Georgian FM was accompanied by his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said.

“Accompanied by the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Genocide”, the foreign ministry spokesperson said on social media.

 13:42,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received today Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili, who arrived in Armenia on an official visit, the PM’s Office said.

The Armenian PM congratulated the Georgian FM on appointment and wished a productive work.

Highly assessing the Armenian-Georgian friendship, PM Pashinyan said: “A high level of political dialogue exists between Armenia and Georgia, our mutual relations are dynamically developing in different formats and in a positive atmosphere, which is a good base for the further expansion of the mutual partnership”.

Pashinyan stated that in today’s tense regional situation the Armenia-Georgia firm partnership is an important factor for the peace and stability in South Caucasus.

In his turn the Georgian FM thanked for the wishes and conveyed the warm greetings of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to the Armenian PM. He said that Georgia is interested in deepening the multi-sectoral cooperation with Armenia, promoting the bilateral agenda and welcomes the initiatives, programs directed to this.

Ilia Darchiashvili said that Georgia is also attaching importance to the steps aimed at promoting the regional cooperation.

The sides discussed issues relating to the Armenian-Georgian partnership agenda. The regional situation and developments were also touched upon. In this context the efforts by the regional countries aimed at maintaining stability and developing the mutual economic cooperation for the benefit of the peaceful and prosperous future were emphasized.

Issues relating to international security were also discussed.

The Armenian PM asked to convey his warm greetings to the Prime Minister of Georgia.

 14:30,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. The relations between Armenia and Georgia have a great potential of political and economic development, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili said during a joint press conference with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan.

“We stated that a great potential of political and economic cooperation exists between the two countries. Trade, transport, energy, tourism, culture, education: these are the sectors which play important role in our bilateral relations”, the Georgian FM said, presenting the results of his meeting held with the Armenian FM during his official visit in Yerevan.

Talking about the history of the bilateral relations, the Georgian FM reminded that this year Armenia and Georgia celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. However, he noted that the historical and friendly ties of the two countries have a history of centuries.

“I am confident that the existing cooperation between Georgia and Armenia will continue in the same way. In a rapidly changing geopolitical environment it’s important to strengthen the friendly relations between our countries in order to be able to jointly overcome the new challenges and use the opportunities”, he said.

Ilia Darchiashvili said that they have also discussed in detail the ongoing developments and challenges in the region and the efforts of the two countries directed to these challenges.

“Georgia has always supported the peaceful cooperation and co-existence in South Caucasus. We highly appreciate Armenia’s unconditional support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which speaks about the partnering relations between the two countries”, he said.

In his turn Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that there is a political dialogue between Armenia and Georgia, and the mutual partnership both in bilateral and multilateral platforms is at a high level.

At their meeting the two ministers specifically touched upon the transit potential of the South Caucasian region. The Georgian FM said it is of “critical” significance not only for Georgia, but also for Armenia.

“It was stated that the sides will support new transit projects, taking into account the strategic goals and issues of the two countries. In terms of economic cooperation we attach importance to the complete use of the existing potential. I am happy that the sessions of the bilateral economic commission are being held on a regular basis. We have expressed readiness for further effective collaboration. I am deeply convinced that our future relations will continue in accordance with the best traditions”, the Georgian FM added.

He thanked his Armenian counterpart for the welcome and also expressed readiness to host Mirzoyan in Tbilisi at a convenient time.