Category: 2022

 13:07,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan says they are closely following the developments taking place around Ukraine.

“We consider all factors, we are in touch with both exporters and businessmen. We also consider the opportunities which we can use to mitigate the potential shocks, such as the depreciation of the [Russian] ruble, and so on. We had a consultation with exporters yesterday”, he said.

Kerobyan added that the government of Armenia is very concerned by the situation.

“We will try to do so that our economic entities suffer as little as possible”, the minister said.

 14:29,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Acting Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan says Armenia will properly study the text of the partnership treaty signed between Russia and Azerbaijan and that Yerevan will give a response, however he noted that it is every sovereign nation’s right to conduct foreign policy the way they want it.

Arshakyan made the comments during a press briefing when asked about the February 22 Allied Partnership Declaration signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

“There’s no response yet. The text will be properly studied, and then, I think there’ll be a swift response,” Arshakyan said.

“Of course, by maintaining our strategic interests, but we must also take into account that all countries have the right to conduct their own foreign policy,” he added.

“Now we also have our strategic partnership agreement with Russia, which is advancing on the highest level. If we were to say that if we are allies with a country then that country shouldn’t have it with another country, that would mean that with numerous other countries, namely the EU, perhaps in other international platforms as well Armenia were to be guided within the framework of the agreements it has.”

 14:48,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Hungarians have always shared the grief of Armenians over the painful event of the murder of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004, but they also feel it is time to open a new page and look towards a more hopeful future, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program H.E. Tristan Azbej said in a joint interview together with Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary H.E. Dr. Zsolt Semjén exclusively for ARMENPRESS.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, how would you describe the cultural-historic ties between the Armenian and the Hungarian peoples, and the contribution of the Armenians and the Armenian community to the centuries-old history of Hungary?

H.E. Dr. Zsolt Semjén: The Armenian community has been present in Hungary for centuries. Our king, Andrew II has visited Armenia, where he almost arranged the marriage of his son to the daughter of King Levon II. The origin of the names of the localities around Esztergom – the capital of Hungary in that time – is also a proof of the Armenian presence. In Transylvania, the Armenians obtained permission to settle and various privileges from Duke Mihály Apafi in the 17th century. In the middle of the 19thcentury, we can assume a population of cca. 12-15 thousand who had Armenian identity: language, religion and origin. Two of the 13 generals executed after the Hungarian revolution of 1848-49 were of Armenian origin: Ernő Kiss, and Vilmos Lázár. After the system change in 1989, the Armenian societal, cultural and religious life started to revive in Hungary.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. State Secretary, the well-known events of 2012 resulted in the suspension of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary, upon which the then Foreign Minister of Hungary expressed sorrow and regret. However, the violent murder of Gurgen Margaryan in 2004 remains a painful issue among the Armenian society. Meanwhile in 2021, we observed the moral gesture of the Government of Hungary mediating for the repatriation of 5 Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan. Do you think it might be an attempt to open a new page in the relations of Armenia and Hungary?

H.E. Tristan Azbej: Hungarian-Armenian solidarity is based on our common Christian faith, our cultural, religious and educational ties and last but not least on the Armenian diaspora in Hungary and their descendants. This fraternal bond is so strong that it has existed even during the suspension of diplomatic relations; for example, in the form of cooperation between universities and the realization of Armenian cultural events in Hungary. This holds true for the manifestations of human solidarity also. In recent years, through the Hungary Helps Program I’m leading, the Hungarian government has supported the reconstruction of a damaged school of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Syria, the restoration of a church in the Iraqi city of Zakho and has provided help for Armenian Catholic families in Lebanon. In Armenia, we have supported the humanitarian and charity work of the Armenian Apostolic Church and faith-based NGOs. The Armenian community of Budapest is also quite active in keeping their traditions and the religion of their ancestors. A few months ago, in December 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch Raphael Bedros Minassian XXI celebrated Armenian liturgy in the church of the catholic community. The Armenian Faculty at our Péter Pázmány Catholic University is also becoming more and more popular. The Government of Hungary provides all support for our local community in order for them to continue thriving.

Hungarians have always shared the grief of Armenians over the painful event of the murder of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004, but they also feel it is time to open a new page and look towards a more hopeful future.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, how important is the normalization of Armenian – Hungarian relations in Hungary, including among the public?

H.E. Dr. Zsolt Semjén: Armenia is the first Christian nation in the world, so it is our brotherly duty to cooperate in all possible fields for a better, more brotherly world. The Hungarian people await with a hopeful heart the re-strengthening of the centuries-long friendship and brotherhood between our nations on the diplomatic level, which in our view has become well-established on scientific, cultural, religious and humanitarian levels in the past year.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, what perspective directions can you outline?

H.E. Dr. Zsolt Semjén: Most recently, the Hungarian government successfully mediated the release of 5 Armenian citizens detained in Azerbaijan. In addition to their release, the Hungarian government also provided Covid-19 vaccines to Armenia. These results represent an active _expression_ of solidarity between the Hungarian people and government and the Armenians. The original bond has not been destroyed during recent years and we are pleased that all this contributes to making the relations between our peoples more complete and to hopefully resume diplomatic relations.

ARMENPRESS: Mr. State Secretary, Hungary is among the few countries in the world that have taken up the mission on a government level to openly speak about the plight of Christians being persecuted around the world because of their belief. Why is this issue so important for Hungary and how are you helping?

H.E. Tristan Azbej: Undoubtedly, the Government of Hungary was the first administration in the world to raise the issue of helping persecuted Christians to government level. The reason for this is the fact that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize that the persecution of Christians is the most significant – and most concealed – humanitarian crisis of our time: 360 million people worldwide are persecuted and discriminated for being Christian. The objective of the Hungary Helps Program is to provide direct humanitarian assistance on the spot thus making it possible for crisis-hit communities to remain and succeed in their ancestral lands.

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Editor’s Note: Armenian military officer Gurgen Margaryan was murdered by Azerbaijani military officer Ramil Safarov during a February 2004 training course organized by NATO in Hungary.

Gurgen Margaryan was asleep in his room when Safarov attacked him with an axe.

During the trial in Hungary, Safarov admitted in court to having killed Margaryan because of his hatred towards Armenia and Armenians. He was sentenced to life in prison by the Hungarian court. However, in 2012 Hungary extradited him to Azerbaijan upon Baku’s request. He was released upon arrival, glorified on the state-level and pardoned by President Aliyev. On the same day, then-President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan severed diplomatic relations with Hungary.

The pardon and glorification of Safarov in Azerbaijan received widespread condemnation around the world.

 15:34,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Acting President of Armenia Alen Simonyan received today a group of participants of the three Artsakh Wars who receive treatment at the Soldier’s Home and the Republican Rehabilitation Center, the Presidential Office said.

The guests told Alen Simonyan about their daily activities in the rehabilitation centers, stating that they have also acquired respective professions in line with the treatment. They presented their experience of integrating into life after war. The programs and initiatives directed to the future were emphasized during the talk.

The former servicemen also presented some problems and obstacles relating to the improvement of their life quality. The Acting President tasked his staff to observe and solve these problems.

At the end of the meeting Alen Simonyan accepted the invitation of the former soldiers to participate in events relating to war and the post-war civilian life and in the presentation of the book telling about that.

[see video]

 16:30,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is ready to take further steps in improving relations with Armenia and establishing a regional cooperation platform in the Caucasus as long as Yerevan is determined to continue the normalization process that started with the appointment of special envoys, the Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper reported.

Erdogan said that he discussed the process with Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday.

“As you know, I already said that we will respond in the same way to positive steps taken by Armenia. This region needs peace, stability and prosperity. With this understanding, we made a sincere effort to start a normalization process between our country and Armenia. President of Azerbaijan, my brother Ilham (Aliyev), also finds this useful. We are pleased with the will of Armenia to normalize with us,” Daily Sabah quoted Erdogan as saying at a press briefing.

“We also know that Armenia has some concrete expectations such as opening the borders and establishing diplomatic relations. If Armenia is determined to continue the process that has started with the special representatives, there will be no question of keeping the doors closed for us.”

Underlining that Turkey favors a regional cooperation platform and to overcome problems with Armenia through cooperation, Erdogan said: “In this sense, Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and Turkey-Armenia normalization process can progress by supporting each other. Likewise, our idea of regional cooperation will support and feed off these bilateral processes. Everyone needs to act constructively to make good use of this historic opportunity. We will continue to carry out all these processes in close coordination with Azerbaijan, as we have done so far.”

 17:00,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received today Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Lazar Comanescu, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

The meeting participants said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and highlighted the further development of the Organization.

FM Mirzoyan attached special importance to the expansion of sectoral cooperation with BSEC, noting that it will contribute to the implementation of the programs of the Armenian government aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth in the country through the regional economic inclusive cooperation.

The BSEC Secretary General highly valued Armenia’s activity and contribution to the BSEC development.

The sides emphasized the importance of coordinated regional actions within the frames of the Organization, directed to the mutually beneficial economic collaboration, innovative and sustainable development, and formation of a favorable environment for promoting high competitiveness.

Minister Ararat Mirzoyan expressed confidence that the effective implementation of the BSEC main goals, which are based on depoliticized, inclusive regional economic cooperation and facilitation of trade, impermissibility of the policy of blockade and closed borders, are of vital importance for regional stability and peace.

 17:29,

YEREVAN, 23 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.35 drams to 478.78 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.78 drams to 543.46 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 6.03 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.43 drams to 651.19 drams.

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

Gold price up by 108.29 drams to 29248.49 drams. Silver price up by 4.50 drams to 369.59 drams. Platinum price up by 150.67 drams to 16732.34 drams.

 17:36,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will pay a working visit to Kazakhstan on February 24-25, his Office said.

Pashinyan will participate in the session of the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council in Nur-Sultan.

 17:55,

YEREVAN, 23 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Special Representative of Armenia-Turkey normalization process Serdar Kılıç on February 23 visited Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Sahak  Mashalyan. ARMENPRESS reports, the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul said.

Serdar Kılıç expressed satisfaction in connection with the first meeting with Armenian Special Representative Ruben Rubinyan and hoped that according to the viewpoint of the two countries, mutually healthy steps should pave the way for positive developments.

Patriarch Mashalyan expressed happiness on the occasion of the visit of the Turkish diplomat and wished that the diplomatic mission undertaken by Serdar Kılıç will be crowned with success.

He emphasized that he encourages Turkey-Armenia normalization process and expressed conviction that the friendly relations will not be limited to the two countries and cities but will form an atmosphere of peace and calm in the whole region opening the door to economic, social and cultural developments.

 18:37,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Armenia hopes that the declaration on allied cooperation signed between Russia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on February 22 will further promote the implementation of the provisions of the three trilateral statements adopted by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, which may contribute to the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, ARMENPRESS reports spokesperson of the MFA Armenia Vahan Hunanyan said, answering the question of “Sputnik Armenia” on the position of Armenia on the mentioned declaration.

“The interstate allied cooperation established between Armenia and Russia, which is based on the centuries-old friendship of peoples, is self-sufficient in nature, and is in no way conditioned by relations with third countries, unless they develop to the detriment of the Armenian-Russian alliance. This is evidenced by the history and the signed documents.

Yerevan and Moscow at various levels, including at high and top levels, are consistently taking steps to expand relations in both bilateral and multilateral dimensions for the benefit of the development of our countries in the conditions of guaranteed security.

We hope that the declaration signed on February 22 this year in Moscow will provide an additional opportunity to advance the implementation of the provisions of the three trilateral statements adopted by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, which may contribute to the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs”, Hunanyan said.