Nearly all Russia-Armenia defense agreements fulfilled on time — Russian envoy

Jhanna Virabian
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023
"New agreements in the sphere of defense cooperation are being discussed between our countries," Sergey Kopyrkin added

YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Almost all defense cooperation agreements between Russia and Armenia have been fulfilled efficiently and on time, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS.

"Bilateral defense cooperation based on the agreement signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia on June 25, 2013, has a long tradition. Almost all such agreements signed earlier have either been fulfilled, efficiently and on time, or are in the final stages of implementation," the Russian diplomat said.

Also, Moscow and Yerevan are discussing the signing of additional agreements, Kopyrkin emphasized. "New agreements in the sphere of defense cooperation are being discussed between our countries," he said, adding that the relevant government agencies of Russia and Armenia were currently resolving all relevant working nuances.

Earlier, Yerevan said that, although it still has not received Russian weapons that it had already paid for, it was ready to address the issue in an atmosphere of partnership. The Armenian authorities also announced plans to diversify the South Caucasus country’s weapons purchases. In particular, the former Soviet republic recently initiated active defense cooperation programs with India and France.

https://tass.com/politics/1725281

Russia, Armenia set up operational communications channels on media issues — Russian envoy

Aram Torosian
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023

According to Sergey Kopyrkin, during the negotiations, the Russian delegation listened to the arguments of its Armenian counterparts and took note of their concerns

YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Russia and Armenia have established operational communications channels to address issues pertaining to the work of media organizations from each country in the other’s jurisdiction, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS.

"An agreement on cooperation in the sphere of mass communications dated December 30, 2020 is in force between our countries, and within its framework the Russian Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Ministry and the Armenian High-Tech Industry Ministry held bilateral consultations on December 14. During the negotiations, the Russian delegation listened to the arguments of its Armenian counterparts and took note of their concerns. It is important that during the consultations the parties agreed on the establishment of operational communications channels to resolve any potential disagreements in the spirit of friendly relations between our countries," he pointed out.

Earlier, Yerevan said that the Armenian government is not discussing the possibility of a broadcasting ban on Russian TV channels, as Yerevan and Moscow have settled their issues in this sphere.

After a meeting on the sidelines of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission, Deputy Russian Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Minister Bella Cherkesova and her Armenian counterpart from the High-Tech Industry Ministry, Avet Poghosyan, signed a joint statement in which they agreed to "ensure full implementation of the agreement, promptly resolve emerging issues and maintain close cooperation between the relevant agencies."

In late October, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that a program on Russia's Channel One television "made insulting and unacceptable statements against high-ranking Armenian officials." The Russian ambassador was summoned to the country’s Foreign Ministry. On October 25, Armenian High-Tech Industry Minister Robert Khachatryan made a statement that Russian TV channels broadcasting in Armenia had allegedly committed certain violations. Later, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a similar statement.






Yerevan admits possibility of new military, technical cooperation agreements with Russia

Khondkarian Raffi
TASS, Russia
Dec 22 2023


Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation

YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Armenia and Russia may negotiate new agreements on military and technical cooperation, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said at a briefing.

"I don't rule it out, but I can't tell you the details, you are asking about armament," he said.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation.

Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulates Egypt’s President on re-election

Hambik Zargarian

 16:08,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his re-election.

“I cordially congratulate you on your re-election as President of the Arab Republic of Egypt as a result of a decisive victory in the Egyptian presidential elections,” PM Pashinyan said in a letter to the Egyptian president.

“I am sure that you will continue to serve your vast experience and wisdom both to the further development and progress of your country, as well as the establishment of peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa. I am convinced that your re-election, which is a testament to the friendly Egyptian people’s trust for you, will boost the Armenian-Egyptian friendship and will allow to continue our jointly agreed projects, including the efforts aimed at intensifying partnership in the economy and security sectors. Taking this opportunity, I wish robust health and productive activities to you, and peace and continual prosperity to the friendly people of Egypt,” the Armenian PM said.

Prime Minister Pashinyan felicitates new Emir of Kuwait on taking office

Babken Chilingarian

 16:26,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah on taking office.

“I convey to you my cordial congratulations on assuming the leadership of the State of Kuwait,” the Prime Minister said in a letter to the new Emir. “I wish you new successes and achievements on the path of your mission. The relations between our countries have potential to develop and strengthen. I express readiness to further strengthen the friendly bilateral relations through joint work in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of our nations. Taking the opportunity, I wish robust health and successes to you, and lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Kuwait.”

BTA. Netherlands Parliament Votes in Favour of Bulgaria’s Schengen Entry

Greg Madatian

 16:39,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS/BTA. The Netherlands Parliament voted late on Thursday evening to approve the position of the country's government in favour of Bulgaria becoming a full member of the Schengen border-free area, Bulgarian Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov told journalists on Friday. According to Stoyanov, the position of Austria is the only hurdle left regarding Sofia's Schengen bid.

Very intensive talks are underway between Bulgaria and Austria, and between Romania and Austria, Stoyanov said. EU institutions engaged in the process are taking part in the negotiations. The minister expressed hope that Austria will make a decision in the coming days. "This will hardly happen before New Year's Eve. What matters to us is to have a decision by Austria; it is less important whether it comes before or after New Year's Eve," he commented.

Reactions

PM Nikolay Denkov said that, in a way, the Netherlands’ decision was expected and now Bulgaria has a better position to negotiate with Austria for the final decision about the country’s accession to Schengen. Commenting on President Rumen Radev's call on the government to ensure Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen by New Year’s Eve, Denkov said the negotiations are ongoing and they will end in a way that considers Austria's concerns, as this country has a serious migration problem. "Any appeals of a general nature do not help at all at the moment. Negotiations require delicacy, calmness, and arguments to be heard on the other side. If it [Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen] were so easy to do, the caretaker cabinet should have done it last year," Denkov stressed. Any comments such as what could have happened count for nothing now, he added.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel: "I welcome the decision of the Dutch Parliament to agree to Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. I would also like to thank [Dutch] Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his government who tabled the proposal last week. I am convinced that this action is in the interests not only of us and our northern neighbour, but also of the entire European Union."

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




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 22-12-23

Karapet Navasardian

 16:57,

YEREVAN, 22 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 December, USD exchange rate stood at 405.62 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.55 drams to 446.91 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.42 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.09 drams to 515.87 drams.

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

Gold price up by 80.20 drams to 26625.78 drams. Silver price up by 2.81 drams to 315.40 drams.

Deputy Foreign Ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan discuss South Caucasus issues

Dabaghian Diana

 17:55,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan discussed issues related to the South Caucasus, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.

The parties emphasized the leading role and special responsibility of the states of the region in maintaining stability and security in the South Caucasus.

"Both sides confirmed their commitment to maintaining a close dialogue on the issues of regional and European security," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Lavrov discusses South Caucasus situation with Iranian and Turkish Foreign Ministers

Ara Felekian

 18:28,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov  had a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian  and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.

It is noted that Russia’s Lavrov with his Iran counterpart discussed a number of topical issues on the regional and bilateral agenda in the context of implementing agreements reached during the highest-level talks in Moscow on December 7.

In a phone conversation with the Turkish Foreign Minister,  Lavrov exchanged views especially on current matters on the bilateral and international agenda, emphasized the situation in the South Caucasus, taking into account the special role of the countries of the region in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to the source, some aspects of Russian-Turkish cooperation were also touched upon, including the schedule of upcoming high-level contacts.

Parliament ratifies protocol, allowing Armenia nationals to travel to the UAE without visa requirement

Garnik Tadevosian

 18:54,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of the Republic of Armenia has ratified a protocol by which Armenian citizens will have the opportunity to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa requirement.

88 MPs voted in favor of making amendments to the memorandum of understanding signed  on June 21, 2009  between the governments of Armenia and the UAE on the exemption from the requirement to obtain an entry visa for persons holding diplomatic passports. No lawmaker voted against or abstained.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vahan Kostanyan noted that the cooperation between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates is developing with dynamism in almost all domains.  Vahan Kostanyan noted that the UAE is the first trade partner of Armenia in the region. 

“There are approximately 30 weekly flights between Yerevan and various cities in the UAE. As a result of the protocol's ratification, citizens of the two countries, possessing passports with a validity period of not less than six months, can enter, exit, and move through the territories of their respective countries without a visa or fee. Passports exempt from the entry visa requirement include valid, diplomatic, special, official, and ordinary passports from both countries. Holders of these passports are permitted to stay in the other country's territory for a maximum period of 90 days," said Kostanyan.