Category: 2023

Baku impedes movement of Red Cross vehicles via Lachin Corridor, says Armenian PM

Emma Jilavian
 TASS 
Russia –
"The population of Nagorno-Karabakh lack supplies of the natural gas and electricity power, while local power supplies partly meet regional demands," Nikol Pashinyan said

YEREVAN, June 22. /TASS/. Azerbaijan is impeding the transportation of deliveries of medicine and goods via the Lachin corridor, that are supplied by the Red Cross organization, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday.

"There is no movement at all regarding civilian, transport cargo transportation along the Lachin corridor," Pashinyan stated addressing the country’s governmental session.

"Moreover, they even stop the Red Cross vehicles," Pashinyan continued. "The population of Nagorno-Karabakh lack supplies of the natural gas and electricity power, while local power supplies partly meet regional demands."

Azerbaijan has earlier established a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. The Armenian Foreign Ministry criticized the move as a blatant violation of the trilateral agreement reached by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, Nikol Pashinyan, Ilham Aliyev, and Vladimir Putin in 2020, which put an end to hostilities around Nagorno-Karabakh that had been going on since the fall of that year.

In line with the terms of the agreement, Russian peacekeepers are deployed in the Lachin corridor. The Armenian prime minister has repeatedly expressed concern about the closure of the corridor and stated that Armenia will raise this issue in talks with Moscow.

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, 2020. On November 9, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the full cessation of hostilities. The sides stopped at their positions at that moment, a number of districts went under Baku’s control, and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the contact line as well as to the Lachin Corridor.

On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijani activists claiming to be environmentalists blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and the place where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed.

Baku stated that blocking the road was not the goal of the protest and civilian vehicles could freely move in both directions. However, Yerevan slammed the activity as a provocation by the Azerbaijani authorities aimed at creating a humanitarian disaster in the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that Nagorno-Karabakh was facing food shortages due to the blocking of the corridor. On December 14, Armenia requested that the European Court of Human Rights compel Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin Corridor.

https://tass.com/world/1636531

Peace treaty between Baku, Yerevan should reflect post-war realities — Azerbaijani leader

Andranik Taslakhchian
 TASS 
Russia –
Other important conditions for peace, according to Ilham Aliyev, are the withdrawal of Armenian armed units from Nagorno-Karabakh and the opening of the Zangezur corridor which would link Nakhivichan with the rest of the country, as well as connect Turkey with Nakhichivan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states across the Caspian Sea

BAKU, June 23. /TASS/. Any peace agreement reached by Baku and Yerevan should take into account post-war realities, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Friday.

"This peace treaty must be signed on the basis of the norms and principles of international law. And this peace treaty should take into account post-war realities," the Azertac news agency quoted him as saying.

According to Aliyev, both Baku and Yerevan need this peace treaty. He recalled that Armenia had recognized Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. "These statements must also be on paper and Armenia must sign them. Lasting peace in the South Caucasus can be established only this way," he added.

Other important conditions for peace, according to the Azerbaijani leader, are the withdrawal of Armenian armed units from Nagorno-Karabakh and the opening of the Zangezur corridor which would link Nakhivichan with the rest of the country, as well as connect Turkey with Nakhichivan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states across the Caspian Sea.

Russia to continue making efforts to resolve situation around Lachin corridor — MFA

Zhanna Nahapetian
 TASS 
Russia –
Maria Zakharova also said Russia notes the importance of the work on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by the relevant commission, and Moscow is ready to provide consultative assistance

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Moscow plans to continue making every effort to resolve the situation around the Lachin corridor in its communication with Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Friday.

"The Russian side will continue making intense efforts to resolve the situation [around the Lachin corridor] in its communication with Baku and Yerevan," the statement said. "We reiterate our message to both sides about the importance of rigorous compliance with the trilateral agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia that have been reached at the highest level, restraint and understanding of their responsibility for ensuring security in the area of the Lachin corridor."

Zakharova also said Russia notes the importance of the work on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by the relevant commission, and Moscow is ready to provide consultative assistance.

"We note the importance of steadily-paced work on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by the relevant commission. We are ready to provide the necessary consultative assistance," she said in the statement.

Armenia Defense Minister, Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly and U.S. Brigadier General Michael Venerdi discuss cooperation

Lena Karagyozian

 13:35,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting on June 23 with Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly and Adjutant General for the U.S. State of Kansas Brigadier General Michael Venerdi.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien also participated in the meeting.

The current course of cooperation between the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the Kansas National Guard was discussed.

The U.S. officials are visiting Armenia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership Program.

The course of implementation of the agreements on new cooperation directions which were reached during Papikyan’s September 2022 visit to Kansas were also discussed during the meeting.

Both sides noted the progress in the planned cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as professional sergeant system, peacekeeping, military medicine, cyber-security, exchange of experience in social protection for servicemembers and their families and other areas.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation and initiate new directions of partnership.

AI Conf Armenia 2023: Experts weigh in on risks and opportunities of AI

Nyrie Kalashian

 14:37,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. AI Conf Armenia 2023 has brought together leading experts to discuss the AI revolution and the wave of new opportunities that it’s bringing along.

Speaking at the event, Yerevan State University Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan said that artificial intelligence has already transformed the world and continues to shape the course of human progress.

“AI has huge potential. It can increase production output, transform manufacturing and improve people’s lives all around the world. AI can help in early diagnosis of disease, it can provide teachers with individualized teaching skills and support in meeting the individual needs of each student. These are just a few examples of the numerous directions that AI can positively impact our society,” Hovhannisyan said.

The YSU Rector also warned about the challenges and ethical considerations regarding AI.

“From this perspective, as an educational institution, it is our duty to analyze the risks and provide the knowledge enabling our students to find their place in this transforming world.”

Krisp and 10Web co-founder and Managing Partner and BigStory VC Artavazd Minasyan said that,theoretically, everything in the virtual world is subject to AI automation.

“Certainly, by taking away jobs, AI will also create new opportunities. It’s important to be flexible. Career-wise it’s important to pay attention what sectors you are looking into. You should choose a direction which is less subject to automation. It’s important to enter a sphere which has the latest skills of human activities, a sector where the largest economic growth is recorded,” he added.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan




Team Telecom Armenia launches reserve cable after disruption in Georgia internet cables

Maral Chavushian

 15:01,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Team Telecom Armenia said on Friday that it has launched reserve internet cables after cables in Georgia experienced “disruptions.”

“Our Georgian colleagues are carrying our works to re-launch our primary cables. We’ve now launched a reserve cable which ensures internet access, but some limitations could happen,” the internet provider said in a statement.

Moody’s Armenia outlook ‘positive signal for investors’, says expert

Christine Harutyunian

 15:39,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. The factors that have contributed to the economic growth in Armenia last year are associated with major investments and inflow of capital, economist Atom Margaryan told ARMENPRESS when asked to comment on Moody's changing Armenia's outlook to stable from negative and affirming Ba3 rating.

Furthermore, the high valuation of the dram impacted the structure and content of exports, with re-exports also playing a significant role.

Moody's changed Armenia's outlook to stable from negative and affirmed Ba3 rating on .

Moody’s changed the outlook because it found Armenia’s economic and fiscal prospects to have improved, while the risks are balanced compared to its March 2022 rating.

A part of the increased capital and workforce inflow, which improved the economic indicators in Armenia, are expected to be maintained, according to Moody’s.

The agency forecast 7% economic growth for 2023 and 5-6% for 2024.

The debt burden will be lower than during the pre-pandemic period, stabilizing around 45%, according to the assessment. 

Margaryan said that Moody’s ratings overall reflects the situation in Armenia and is a ‘positive signal’ for investors, especially when the fiscal prospects are also improved.

“The factors which have contributed to economic growth especially last year are associated with major investments and inflow of capital,” he said, adding that the fiscal situation has also improved, both in terms of revenues and spending.

Asked about balancing economic risks, the expert that that the risks should be categorized. Although the balancing of the financial risks in terms of financial stability and fiscal policy inspires positive hopes, the existing military-political risks regarding the border situation contains serious threats. For example, one of the major investment projects, the construction of a steel mill in Yeraskh, is carried out amid Azerbaijani gunfire,” the economist said, referring to the construction by GTB Steel which has intermittently come under cross-border gunfire from Azerbaijan.

Manvel Margaryan

BTA. EC President Von der Leyen will meet Prime Minister Denkov next Wednesday

Karapet Navasardian

 16:50,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS/BTA. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will receive Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov next Wednesday, said a spokesperson for the European Commission on Friday. The meeting will take place in the afternoon, he specified.

Next Thursday and Friday Prime Minister Denkov is expected to take part for the first time in a European Council meeting in Brussels. EU state and government leaders will discuss again the European response to the war in Ukraine and boosting economic security and European defence. The agenda also includes EU-NATO relations.

The European Council will exchange views on the issue of migration, including border controls. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to participate via video conference.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)




Nagorno Karabakh welcomes PACE resolution, says any mechanism aimed at peace is acceptable

Kanayan Tamar

 17:01,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Artur Tovmasyan has welcomed the adoption of the ‘Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor’ resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

“We welcome the adoption of the resolution by PACE calling on Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin Corridor, immediately fulfill the ECHR and ICJ rulings, restore power and gas supply into Nagorno Karabakh, ensure the movement of persons and vehicles along the Lachin Corridor in both directions,” Speaker Tovmasyan said.

He highlighted the fact that Azerbaijan is being called out to abandon its belligerent and threatening rhetoric against Armenians and resolve the issue of rights and security of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh through dialogue with Stepanakert, and neutral international involvement.

“Any mechanism aimed at peace is acceptable for us, we welcome international monitoring and fact-finding missions that would shed light on the existing situation and suppress Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy.”

The Lachin Corridor has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. 

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since.

Lachin Corridor is the only road linking Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 23-06-23

Tambiyan Samvel

 17:14,

YEREVAN, 23 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 June, USD exchange rate up by 0.96 drams to 387.10 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.25 drams to 420.70 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 4.57 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.76 drams to 492.31 drams.

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

Gold price down by 10.26 drams to 23896.08 drams. Silver price down by 4.95 drams to 281.52 drams.