14:40, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Europe Region assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (OIF) has adopted a resolution expressing unconditional support to Armenia and particularly the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Member of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, MP Arman Yeghoyan said in a statement on Tuesday that the resolution stresses the need for respect of the rights of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and strongly condemns all forms of ethnic cleansing and the destruction of religious and cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Over 100,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh found shelter in Armenia after the September 19 Azeri attack.

 14:44, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia exported goods worth 5 billion 120 million 624,3 thousand dollars in January-September 2023 – a 44,8% growth compared to the same nine months of 2022, according to data released by the Statistical Committee.

Precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and related items comprised most of the exported goods. Russia was still Armenia’s biggest export market in the reporting period.

Exports to Eurasian Economic Union countries grew 87% and amounted to 2 billion 793 million 730,3 thousand dollars. Exports to EU countries dropped 5,1%, amounting to 575 million 511,9 thousand dollars.

Most of the exports – over 2 billion 645 million dollars – went to Russia (85% growth).

The UAE continues to be the second top export destination, with exports growing more than twice and amounting to 665 million 462,6 thousand dollars. Exports to the third top destination, China, amounted to 322 million 566,6 thousand dollars (19,9% growth).

The largest export destination in the EU for Armenian goods is Netherlands (33,8% growth – 218 million 716,6 thousand dollars). Exports to Romania grew over 26 times, exports to Greece grew more than 4 times, and exports to Slovakia grew over twice.

Most of the Armenian exports – worth 1 billion 104 million 251,8 thousand dollars – were precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and goods made of precious and semi-precious stones and precious metals. (84,9% growth).

The second top exported goods in the reporting period were vehicles, equipment and machinery – with exports growing over twice and amounting to 898 million 882,3 thousand dollars.

Despite a 12,7% decrease in exports of mineral products it is still the third top exported product (685 million 425,4 thousand dollars).

Food products worth 633 million 984,7 thousand dollars were also exported in the reporting period.

 15:09, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Russian Ministry of Defense has said that it has completed the rotation of personnel of the peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the transfer of weapons and military equipment to Russia for planned repair.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry also said that its peacekeepers in NK ‘continue to fulfil their objectives.’

The Russian peacekeepers have closed one more observation post in the Shushi region, it said. “Overall, 10 observation posts and 16 temporary observation posts have been closed since September 19,” the ministry said.

 16:28, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. A Baku court has sentenced Vagif Khachatryan, the elderly ethnic Armenian man from Nagorno-Karabakh who was kidnapped by Azeri border guards during his ICRC-mediated medical evacuation on July 29, to 15 years in prison on fabricated war crime charges.

The Armenian foreign ministry earlier said that the arrest of the Red Cross-protected patient from Nagorno-Karabakh amounts to war crime.

Prominent lawyer Siranush Sahakyan said that the kidnapping constitutes extraordinary rendition in terms of international law and a due process is therefore ruled out.

The kidnapped man’s daughter, in a plea to the UN to ensure the safe release of her 65-year-old father, said that all charges pressed by the Azeri prosecution are fabricated and her father is innocent.

 17:03, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, 7 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 7 November, USD exchange rate up by 0.32 drams to 402.66 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.40 drams to 430.04 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.36 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.48 drams to 495.11 drams.

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

Gold price down by 107.00 drams to 25692.27 drams. Silver price up by 7.61 drams to 300.47 drams.

 18:33, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Kimmo Kiljunen and Boriana Åberg, Co-Rapporteurs on Armenia of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Prime Minister's Office said in a readout.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the co-rapporteurs to Armenia and emphasized the close cooperation of the Armenian government and the Council of Europe, particularly in the effective promotion of democratic reforms and other directions. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the development of democracy and the reforms agenda is the strategy of the Armenian government and that consistent work in that direction will be continuous. The Prime Minister presented the steps implemented and planned by the government within the framework of the anti-corruption policy. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the reforms have also contributed to the formation of a level playing field in the economy and the economic growth in our country.

Nikol Pashinyan referred to the forced deportation of more than 100,000 of our compatriots from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing policy and the resulting humanitarian situation, as well as the steps taken by the Armenian government to overcome it. The assistance of the international community in solving the existing problems was emphasized. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of the resolutions adopted by PACE regarding the rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 18:40, 7 November 2023

 20:57, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. As the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to be of serious concern, the EU has released €61 million in humanitarian aid to address the needs of vulnerable people in the country, as well as refugees in neighbouring Pakistan, reads the message of the European Commission published in Brussels.

''A total of €60 million are allocated for humanitarian organisations working in Afghanistan and another €1 million, for those in Pakistan.

The new funding will help address the food crisis in Afghanistan, where nearly half of the population is acutely food insecure,'' it reads.

 18:57, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Anahit Manasyan, the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia referred to the trial of Nagorno-Karabakh resident Vagif Khachatryan in Azerbaijan, which has ended with an absurd verdict.

''Vagif Khachatryan, abducted by Azerbaijani forces in the Lachin corridor, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Baku, without observing the international legal standards and guarantees related to human rights. Anahit Manasyan, the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia, posted on X.

“International Human Rights organizations should respond immediately,” Manasyan added.

 19:25, 7 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The decision made by the Baku court goes against any norms, including international humanitarian law.