17:21,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Green for Growth Fund (GGF), an impact investment fund advised by Finance in Motion, is re-engaging with the leading Armenian SME bank ARARATBANK through the provision of a USD 5 million loan facility. In a significant move to drive sustainable development in Armenia, this strategic partnership with ARARATBANK aims to broaden the network of GGF partners on the ground and provide critical support for green lending initiatives directed at SMEs and retail clients.

The funding will help the Bank in meeting the growing demand for green capital expenditures in key sectors, such as agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and construction. Additionally, it will support individual households in adopting energy efficient systems and eco-friendly practices, including the implementation of small renewable energy measures. 

The Fund’s support extends beyond financing, incorporating a dedicated Technical Assistance (TA) package that is designed to augment ARARATBANK’s capacity for green lending by utilizing GGF’s vast experience and expertise in the field. This aligns with GGF's broader mission to promote sustainable finance practices and underscores a holistic approach to support ARARATBANK’s commitment to green initiatives.

Christopher Knowles, Chairperson of the GGF, expressed enthusiasm about the Fund’s re-engagement with ARARATBANK, stating: “We are very pleased to deepen our collaboration with ARARATBANK, a partner that shares our commitment to driving sustainable development. This loan investment showcases the potential for positive change through collective efforts and highlights our joint commitment to improving energy and resource efficiency to accelerate the country’s green transition.”

Mher Ananyan, Chairman of the Executive Board of ARARATBANK, commented: "We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the Green for Growth Fund in providing 5 million USD to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey towards energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to UN Global Principle 8, which urges businesses to undertake initiatives that promote greater environmental responsibility. By empowering SMEs to adopt sustainable practices, we are not only fostering a greener future but also driving economic growth and resilience. Together, we can make a tangible impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable world for generations to come.”

 18:18,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS.  During Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly of Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to opposition lawmaker Agnesa Khamoyan, stating that legitimacy is the political and diplomatic defense strategy of Armenia. The question pertained to the limits of the authorities' 'giving' process, considering that Azerbaijan may not stop.

"It will stop at the legitimate borders of the Republic of Armenia. Legitimacy is and will remain the strategy of our political and diplomatic defense.

I share the concerns you raised. Moreover, I hope that the purpose of the statements coming from Baku is not to bring the peace process to a dead end.

I myself have noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan speak different diplomatic languages. Our task is to align the diplomatic languages of both Armenia and Azerbaijan with legitimacy,” Pashinyan said.

 19:23,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Since 1991, Azerbaijan has never been ready to concede, not even for a second. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this during the Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, addressing the accusations from the opposition lawmaker Anna Grigoryan regarding concessions.

"Since 1991, Azerbaijan has never been ready to concede, not even for a second," Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

"He said, 'Do you want me to give the highest autonomy (to the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh)?' Within the framework of the Madrid principles, an agreement was reached that this autonomy will be Armenian-Azerbaijani autonomy," Pashinyan explained.

 17:32,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. All government actions continue to be aimed at establishing and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during Wednesday’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly of Armenia, responding to the MP Artur Khachatryan's question about the solutions the government offers in the new security situation created in the region.

"Throughout our entire period of independence, we have not clearly defined and have blurred Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a fundamental problem.

All actions continue to be aimed at establishing and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia.

In these common security challenges, our strategic perception is as follows that all our positions must be based on legitimacy-exclusively legitimate.

As for the announcements coming from official Baku, I have publicly responded to them, and I will not hesitate to provide a specific response to your question. In fact, 'Crossroads of Peace' encompasses the answer to your question," said Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister also addressed a question regarding statements from Baku, highlighting that in response to inquiries from the Armenian side, Azerbaijan presents two counterarguments.

"The first is that if Armenia is not ready to open the roads, then Azerbaijan will make use of the passage through the territory of Iran. The second question is why there should be any inspection processes during the transition from the main part of Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, which is 47 kilometers. 

 And we answer in the following way: Armenia is ready to give that passage under the same conditions as Iran. If the passage through the territory of Armenia is 47 kilometers, it is 49 kilometers through the territory of Iran. If inspection functions can be accepted for 49 kilometers, naturally they cannot be unacceptable for 47 kilometers,’’ said the PM.

 19:32,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS.  Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan will pay an official visit to Croatia on January 18-19, the foreign ministry said.

During the visit, meetings are scheduled with Croatian FM Gordan Grlic Radman, as well as high-ranking members of the executive and legislative bodies of Croatia.

 19:37,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenia announced the peace agenda not in the logic of Azerbaijan, but within the framework of its own logic, of course, with the understanding that peace is not a one-sided process.

Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, stated this during today’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly while addressing the question raised by the opposition MP Kristine Vardanyan.

"We have not given up on the peace agenda, we are not giving up and we will not give up. This is a very important fact, because this is our political vision, and we will continue, because we did not announce the peace agenda in accordance with the logic of Azerbaijan, we announced the peace agenda in accordance with our logic, of course, with the understanding that peace is this not a one-sided process,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister added that if, for example, Azerbaijan retreats from the peace agenda and it does not imply that the Armenian side should also retreat from it.

On the contrary, perhaps we need to emphasize more, substantiate more deeply and argue more,"  the Prime Minister said.

 21:25,

 21:51,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The resolution demanding sanctions against Azerbaijan, adopted by the French Senate, supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia. It condemns the military attack carried out by Azerbaijan, with the support of its allies, on September 19 and 20, 2023, in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Embassy in France said.

The resolution further calls on Azerbaijan to guarantee the right of the Armenian population to return to Nagorno-Karabakh, ensuring conditions that will ensure their safety and well-being.

The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the troops of Azerbaijan and its allies from the sovereign territory of Armenia.

It states that Armenia has the right to protect its territorial integrity and possesses the means to ensure its security, including through military measures.

The resolution also condemns the arbitrary arrests of political leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh, calls for the exclusion of Azerbaijan from the intergovernmental committee for the protection of cultural property in armed conflict.

It highlights the establishment of an international group of experts at UNESCO and its mission to Nagorno-Karabakh to prepare an informative report on the state of cultural and religious heritage.

The resolution also calls for the strictest measures, including the seizure of the assets of Azerbaijani leaders and an embargo on the import of gas and oil from Azerbaijan as a sanction against military aggression by Azerbaijan.