Category: 2022

 13:27,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Russia has lifted the COVID-19-related restrictions on non-scheduled and regular flights to Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Iran on a reciprocal basis, TASS reports citing the statement of the press service of the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya).

“On March 9, 2022, restrictions on non-scheduled and regular flights to Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Iran imposed earlier as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were lifted in accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation”, the statement said.

Earlier, the COVID-19-related restrictions on flights to Belarus, the Dominican Republic, Egypt (excluding Cairo), the UAE, Turkey, Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, South Korea and Cuba were also fully removed.

 13:45,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.

During the meeting the Prime Minister attached importance to the cooperation between the Armenian Government and the OSCE with the purpose of effectively advancing the democratic reforms in Armenia.

PM Pashinyan noted that during the recent years numerous reforms were implemented in Armenia, also in close cooperation with European partners, with the purpose of developing and strengthening democracy in Armenia, and this agenda remains among the priorities of the Armenian Government.

The Prime Minister noted the consistent steps in the fight against corruption and said that Armenia recorded significant progress in the rankings of reputed international organizations. The PM also attached importance to the positive changes in the freedom of the media sector after 2018 and noted that during the recent years the majority of the mass media in Armenia, including televised media, have opposition stance.

The PM added that reforms in the freedom of the media sector are implemented taking into account international experience and standards.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro said that the Armenian Government’s steps in strengthening democracy are inspiring and appreciated. Ribeiro emphasized the importance of effective cooperation between OSCE and the Armenian Government in the area of freedom of speech, including with the purpose of introducing new tools in fighting disinformation. Ribeiro noted that the OSCE is ready to contribute to the process of exchange of experience and development of professional skills of journalists. The importance of close cooperation between the government and the civil society was underscored.

 13:54,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. First resident Ambassador of Serbia to Armenia Tatjana Panajotovic Cvetkovic presented her credentials today to Acting President of Armenia Alen Simonyan, the Presidential Office said.

Alen Simonyan congratulated the Ambassador on assuming office and wished success to her mission in Armenia. He expressed hope that during the Ambassador’s tenure the further development of the current and new programs with Serbia will deeply contribute to the cooperation between the two countries.

Talking about the existing political dialogue between Armenia and Serbia, Alen Simonyan highlighted making consistent and additional efforts to give a new content and impetus to the Armenian-Serbian bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda.

 14:30,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan received on March 11 Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Lila Pieters Yahia and her delegation, the ministry said in a news release.

In the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian military operations, Minister Tigran Khachatryan presented the impact on the Armenian economy. He highlighted and appreciated the continuous close cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies aimed at strengthening the economy and effectively implementing the sustainable development goals in Armenia.

Lila Pieters Yahia stated that Armenia is not only a part of the United Nations family, but also a very active member. She said the United Nations is ready to provide its further anti-crisis support to Armenia to resist the current new economic situation.

 14:38,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. According to assessments of various international organizations the sanctions against Russia could lead to 6-10% economic decline, and Armenia will also be impacted, expert Meri Hovsepyan from the Amberd Analytical Center said at a press conference.

“Naturally Armenia will also be impacted given the fact that Russia is our main trade-economic partner. Recently Amberd Analytical Center released expert assessments according to which 1% economic decline in Russia could lead to 0,7% decline in Armenia. This means that if a 6-10% decline were to happen in Russia, the decline in Armenia could be around 4-6%,” she said.

Hovsepyan added that the sanctions against Russia have impacted Armenia’s exports because supply chains are disrupted, in some cases also suspended, which created risks and obstacles for Armenian exporters.

“In addition, we will see the impact in the form of transfers and investments. And naturally in the context of this all the transfer volume will drop,” Hovsepyan said.

The expert also drew attention on the issue of food security, noting that the EAEU countries have already implemented procurements for the 2021-22 season and if in that period any member-state, including Armenia, were to have the need for additional imports then this could be done through a licensed process.

 14:55,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan met on March 11 with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia, the Armenian Embassy said.

During the meeting Ambassador Sadoyan presented to the Georgian side the recent ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as Baku’s provocative actions against the peaceful population of Artsakh, which are aimed at increasing the tension in the region.

The meeting sides also discussed issues relating to the Armenian-Georgian bilateral cooperation.

 17:25,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the Security Council of Artsakh released a statement calling on the public not to fall for fake news and follow exclusively official information.

“Some online news websites and social media accounts are circulating information according to which “self-defense formations” are being created in various communities of the Republic. We are announcing that the Defense Army of Artsakh, jointly with the Russian peacekeeping contingent, is fully fulfilling its missions. The news on the formation of additional structures is false to the extent of there not being any necessity of such detachments in practice. We are urging not to give in to fake news and follow only official information,” the Office of the Security Council said in the statement.

 17:30,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. 21-year-old Rosa Linn will represent Armenia in the Eurovision  Song Contest 2022, the Public TV reports.

“My songs are a journey to my inner world, my soul and my feelings. Music is home. I never give up on music. Even the worst days can become the best melodies and lyrics”, the singer said.

The premiere of the song for Eurovision and the clip will be held on March 19.

The Eurovision 2022 will take place in Turin. The first semifinal will be held on May 10, the second one on May 12, and the final is scheduled on May 14.

 17:33,

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Acting President Alen Simonyan signed a decree March 11 on relieving Vahagn Khachaturyan from duties as Minister of High-Tech Industry.

Khachaturyan is the President-elect of Armenia and will be inaugurated as the 5^th President of Armenia on March 13.

 17:34,

YEREVAN, 11 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 11 March, USD exchange rate up by 2.27 drams to 518.28 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.35 drams to 569.07 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.18 drams to 4.55 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.95 drams to 678.12 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 273.46 drams to 33269.52 drams. Silver price down by 1.93 drams to 432.32 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.