Category: 2022

 15:41, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed support to the establishment of peace and stability in South Caucasus, noting that Vienna will continue to care and show its dedication to the region and Armenia.

FM Schallenberg was speaking in Yerevan at a joint press conference with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan.

FM Schallenberg said Austria encourages the solution of conflicts in the region and welcomes the new dialogue between Armenia and Turkey for normalization. The Austrian FM said that the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey will be a big step for the entire region.

“We must work for easing tensions and building trust in the region. In my opinion the element which is very interesting is that very conscious steps are being made in the direction of normalizing relations with your neighbor Turkey, which would be a big step for the entire region and for the people of Armenia,” the Austrian FM said.

 16:09, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Office of the Austrian Development Agency will open in Yerevan on the sidelines of the current visit of Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg in Armenia, Armenpress correspondent reports.

During a press conference today, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said that the visit of his Austrian counterpart to Armenia is taking place on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At the press conference, Alexander Schallenberg in turn said that this is already the second visit of the Austrian Foreign Minister to Armenia in the past 12 months, which, he said, shows the importance of the bilateral relations.

“I am happy to note that over these past 30 years numerous joint programs have been implemented, there is a serious experience of political, economic, cultural dialogue and cooperation. Of course, we have not yet utilized that whole potential that exists in the relations of our countries, and I have great hopes that this visit will contribute to moving forward on this direction and passing to the next stage of our relations”, the Armenian FM said.

In terms of boosting the bilateral ties, the Armenian FM highlighted the contacts between the business communities of Armenia and Austria. He praised the fact that together with Mr Schallenberg, a serious Austrian business delegation has also arrived in Armenia to attend the opening of the Armenian-Austrian business forum on February 3.

 16:48, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left self-isolation and is already back to work, his office said.

The Prime Minister’s Office had said on January 26 that Pashinyan tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the  the recommended period of isolation for fully vaccinated people is 7 days.

 17:17, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, 2 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 2 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.86 drams to 482.52 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.05 drams to 545.34 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 6.32 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.20 drams to 653.57 drams.

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

Gold price up by 21.72 drams to 27921.75 drams. Silver price up by 5.35 drams to 354.95 drams. Platinum price up by 297.52 drams to 16180.45 drams.

 17:54, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The process of resolving all issues resulted by the 44-day war and any other issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should take place within the framework of the OSCE, in particular, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, ARMENPRESS reports Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, said during a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, answering the question what role the international community can have in the repatriation of Armenian POWs and ensuring the entry of humanitarian organizations to Artsakh.

Alexander Schallenberg noted that the will of the international community can never replace the will of the conflicting sides to reach a settlement.

“The will of Baku, Yerevan, Azerbaijanis and Armenians is needed to move forward in that direction. We know that the wound is still open, you mentioned the existing problems, the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh, the issue of borders. There are still some open issues, but I have the impression that the moods have changed a bit since my previous visit, I am more encouraged now than I was last summer as I see signs of moving in the right direction. I am speaking on behalf of Austria, the European Union, I hope the OSCE, that we are ready to help, but you must be willing to accept our help,” said the Austrian Foreign Minister.

Responding to the Austrian counterpart’s comment, the Armenian Foreign Minister agreed that no matter how much the international community uses its toolkit to encourage the parties to reach an agreement, it is essential that the parties first and foremost exercise that political will. And the whole world has seen that Armenia is ready, really wants to build peace in our region, to solve all the problems. But the problem, according to Minister Mirzoyan, is that by expressing that readiness, Yerevan always receives the exact opposite messages from official Baku.

“As an example, I can advise my colleagues to look at the recent statement of thepPresident of Azerbaijan. As in the past, I repeat today that anti-Armenian rhetoric, aggressive rhetoric, aggressive steps at the border, failure to solve humanitarian problems, such as the continued presence of prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, to put it mildly, do not contribute to a constructive atmosphere. I would like to add that though it was not provided by the trilateral ceasefire statement, however, the Armenian side provided Azerbaijan with maps of minefields, as we are not interested in the death of people, we have unilaterally resolved this issue,” Mirzoyan said.

Mirzoyan also touched upon the issue of international organizations, again noting with regret that Azerbaijan shows a unconstructive approach to this issue, forcing international organizations, even the International Committee of the Red Cross, to put up with their policy.

“This is the only organization that has had a presence, an entry and exit to Nagorno Karabakh during these years, and now Azerbaijan restricts even this. I must summarize and reaffirm that we want a constructive dialogue, a solution to all issues, as you mentioned, with the aim of establishing peace, stability in the region, but a similar position of Azerbaijan is required here,” he added.

 17:59, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Vakhtang Gomelauri. Police Chief of Armenia Vahe Ghazaryan also attended the meeting, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.  

Greeting the guest, the PM said, “I am very happy for the new dynamics in the relations between our countries. A few days ago, the Minister of Justice of Georgia was here, but unfortunately I could not meet him because of the Covid. Our Police Chief had paid a visit to Georgia before. We summed up last year with the sitting of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Tbilisi. Before that, I had several meetings with the Prime Minister of Georgia, my friend Irakli Garibashvili. And I think it’s very important that our law enforcement systems establish close cooperation. It is important for the security of our countries, for the protection of the rule of law”. Nikol Pashinyan asked to convey his heartfelt greetings and wishes of health to the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, who has contracted the coronavirus.

Vakhtang Gomelauri thanked for the reception, conveying to the Armenian PM the warm greetings of the Georgian PM. “Armenia is a very important partner for Georgia, it is a neighbor and a friendly country. I always emphasize that Armenians and Georgians are the nearest and dearest peoples, we are very close, with similarities in traditions and cultures, we are close in every aspect.

As for our cooperation, let me say that just after the first meeting we have already made friends with the Police Chief. I would like to express our readiness for further cooperation. You should know that we are always ready to support and are also ready to consider your experience, which is quite extensive. What you have just undertaken, I am particularly about the Patrol Service, is a very laudable and important program. I wish you a successful completion.”

Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the continuous strengthening of the effective cooperation between the law enforcement systems of the two countries.

The interlocutors exchanged views on sectoral reforms in Armenia and Georgia, shared information on the results of the patrol service reform process. Both sides highlighted exchange of experience and constant communication in the spirit of Armenian-Georgian friendly relations.

 18:13, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, 2 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. The first flight of Flyone Armenia airlines to Istanbul took place on February 2 from Zvartnots airport. ARMENPRESS reports, in the initial period two weekly Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights are planned, on Monday and Friday. Later, the air company plans to implement three weekly flights: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Flyone Armenia reports, that the epidemiological measures are at the centre of their attention, it will be mandatory to wear masks on the aircraft. The airplanes are provided with HEPA air filters which destroy 99,97 percent of viruses and bacteria.

FlyOne Armenia had applied to both the Armenian and Turkish aviation authorities for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights. The aviation authorities of Armenia and Turkey have approved the company’s request. Turkish Pegasus Airlines has also received permission to operate two flights a week in the same direction.

 19:20, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, 2 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. The President of the United States Joe Biden officially confirmed the sending of several thousand additional servicemen to Europe. Their deployment in Europe will be implemented in the upcoming days, ARMENPRESS reports, CNN reported citing U.S. officials without revealing their identities.

According to the information of the TV company, about two thousand additional American servicemen will be deployed in the territory of Poland, also several thousand at the South-Eastern front of the NATO, including in Romania.

 20:05, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, 2 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Armenian and Austrian  Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Alexander Schallenberg participated in the official opening ceremony of the Office of the Austrian Development Agency on February 2. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Minister Mirzoyan made a speech, where he particularly said,

“Good day. I congratulate all of us on the occasion of opening of the office.

I would like to mention that it is a pleasure and honor for me to participate in this event. Of course, we open this office today, but it is not the first day, it is not new that the Austrian Development Agency implements its activities in Armenia.

This activity started still back in 2013, and, has tangible achievements especially in the sphere of green and modern agriculture. Today Minister Schallenberg also witnessed one of those results.

But I want to also mention that today we open a new page in this relationship, in this cooperation. I think that both the Armenian and, I have to mention with pleasure the Austrian side, express willingness in building relations and programmes of qualitatively new kind and new volume.

I have to mention with pleasure that Armenia as a participant of the Eastern Partnership is included also in the programme of Austrian Development Cooperation 2021-2027.

Also I have to bring remarkable examples. Today, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our relationship, we are present at the opening of this office.

I would also like to inform those partners who still do not know that Minister Schallenberg’s visit is accompanied also by business delegation, and tomorrow we will have Armenian-Austrian business forum. Both the opening of the office and the business forum and a number of other events, which are planned, come to prove that this visit is a new page and impetus in our relations, and I am full of hope and sure that it’s the case.

Once again I congratulate us all.”

 19:08, 2 February, 2022

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. Clarification of the parameters of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, development of that agreement and its subsequent signing can take place through the political settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict or as a result of it, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan said at a press conference, answering the question of an Austrian journalist about the “red lines” of the Armenian side in the issue of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

In response to the question, the Foreign Minister first of all stressed the fact that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is unresolved, emphasizing that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship is the international format that was created, endowed with the sole and exclusive mandate to find a political settlement to Naorno Karabakh conflict, and as long as the settlement is not reached, the sides should continue talks in that format.

“I repeat, the way to find a political settlement or one of its results is to clarify the parameters of a comprehensive peace agreement, to develop that agreement and, consequently, to sign it. I also want to say here that it is very important to remember the principles that this Co-chairs have developed over the years, and one of those principles is the rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, in particular, the right to self-determination. And another of those principles, for example, is the non-use of force, which, unfortunately, we saw in 2020 was grossly violated, and now not only Armenia, Azerbaijan, not only the people of Nagorno Karabakh, but the whole world must decide whether non-use of force remains a fundamental principle in the world, or states can allow the use of force to decide the most important issues, the fate of peoples, because if the rule is violated for one, it probably opens the door for others to follow that path,” Ararat Mirzoyan said.