Asbarez: Pashinyan, Aliyev Meet in Munich

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center) with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Munich on Feb. 17


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met Saturday in Munich to advance the ongoing discussions on a peace treaty. The meeting was initiated and mediated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

After discussing the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and steps to ensure peace and stability in the region, the two agreed to continue to work on the peace treaty, Pashinyan’s office said in a statement.

During the meeting, which took place on the margins of the Munch Security Conference, Scholz called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to complete the peace negotiations as soon as possible.
 
“During the tripartite conversation, Scholz advocated for the swift resolution of the peace negotiations between the two countries. Germany and Europe are ready to support it within their capabilities, including the efforts of European Council President Charles Michel,” Pashinyan’s office said in its statement.
 
Scholz reportedly welcomed the commitment made by Pashinyan and Aliyev on Saturday to resolve issues “exclusively peacefully and with our the use of force.”

Prior to the meeting with Aliyev, Pashinyan met with Scholz separately and discussed issues related to the peace agenda, as well as advancing Armenia-Germany relations.

Azerbaijan planning ‘full-scale war’, Armenia warns

Aram Torosian
rfi
France - Feb 15 2024

Yerevan (AFP) – Azerbaijan is planning a "full-scale war" against Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday, two days after a skirmish on their border left four Armenian troops dead.

Tensions between the two Caucasus neighbours have remained high since Baku re-captured the Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh last September in a lightning military offensive.

"Our analysis shows that Azerbaijan wants to launch military action in some parts of the border with the prospect of turning military escalation into a full-scale war against Armenia," Pashinyan said at a government meeting.

"This intention can be read in all statements and actions of Azerbaijan," he added.

Yerevan is concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its success in Karabakh, could invade Armenian territory in order to create a land bridge to its exclave of Nakhchivan.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who won re-election this month, said in an inauguration speech Wednesday it was Armenia, not Azerbaijan, that had outstanding territorial claims.

Pashinyan and Aliyev previously said a peace agreement could have been signed by the end of last year, but internationally mediated peace talks have failed to yield a breakthrough.

On Tuesday, both sides accused each other of opening fire on their volatile border, in a skirmish Armenia said left four of its soldiers dead.

Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny dead

Tambiyan Samvel

 15:38,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is dead, Reuters reported citing a statement from the prison service of the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been serving his sentence.

In a statement published on its website, the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District said that Navalny "felt unwell" after a walk on Friday, and "almost immediately lost consciousness".

It said that medical staff had been called, but that they were unable to resuscitate Navalny. It said the reason of death was being established.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 16-02-24

Emil Lazarian

 17:02,

YEREVAN, 16 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 16 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.17 drams to 404.42 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.48 drams to 435.48 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 4.36 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.42 drams to 509.08 drams.

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

Gold price up by 257.25 drams to 26057.47 drams. Silver price up by 7.14 drams to 294.18 drams.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Louis Bono discuss the latest developments in the region

Manouk Vasilian

 17:59,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  On February 16, in the framework of the Munich Security Conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Louis Bono, the US Senior Adviser for Caucasus Negotiations, the foreign ministry said.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the security situation in the South Caucasus and touched upon the recent regional developments.

Views were exchanged on the topics of the Armenia-US bilateral partnership agenda.

Yerevan Mayor, Iranian Ambassador discuss programs to be implemented in Yerevan

Lilit Nahapetian

 18:36,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani.

Referring to the established cooperation between the two capitals, the parties stated that there is a wide field to use the full potential of bilateral relations and to implement joint projects aimed at the development of urban infrastructures. According to the source, Mayor Avinyan gave special importance to the scope of all the new programs that give fresh momentum to the relations between the two countries and cities, the Municipality said.

Expressing gratitude for the willingness to expand cooperation, Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani, in turn, noted that there are many Iranian companies interested in investing in Yerevan.

The parties also highlighted the interest of Iranian tourists in Yerevan. In 2023, approximately 120,000 tourists visited Yerevan.

Prime Minister participates in the opening ceremony of the Munich Security Conference

Emil Lazarian

 18:53,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the opening ceremony of the Munich Security Conference, the PM's Office said.

The Munich Security Conference is attended by dozens of presidents, heads of government and foreign ministers, as well as UN Secretary General António Guterres, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid and others.

Within the framework of the conference, a number of bilateral meetings of Prime Minister Pashinyan are scheduled.

Armenia’s Arsen Harutyunyan reaches final of European Freestyle Wrestling Championship

Alex Nanijanian

 19:00,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  Armenian Freestyle Wrestling Team’s Arsen Harutyunyan has advanced to the finals of the European Championship.

Arsen Harutyunyan competed with Azerbaijan's Islam Bazarganov in the semifinals of the 57 kg weight category at the European Championship held in Bucharest, Romania's capital,  triumphing with a score of 10-0. 

The final of the 57 kg weight category of the European Championship is scheduled to take place on February 17.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meets Kosovo counterpart

Khondkarian Raffi

 19:15,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS.  Within the framework of the Munich Security Conference, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
According to the readout issued by the Armenian Prime Minister Office, the parties exchanged ideas on the current situation and ongoing processes in the South Caucasus region and the Balkans, as well as ensuring security and stability.
According to the source, the Prime Minister of Kosovo expressed his support to the Armenian people in the context of the events of the recent years, noting that historically both nations are going through a difficult period.
It is noted that the meeting touched on multi-sectoral cooperation, as well as the prospects of cooperation on international platforms.

PM discusses issues related to cooperation in the field of digitalization with vice presidents of Amazon Web Services

Ani Basmajian

 19:56,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met Michael Punke and Max Peterson, vice presidents of Amazon Web Services, in Munich.

Issues related to the cooperation between the Armenian Government and Amazon Web Services, implementation of joint programs were discussed, the PM's office said.

It is noted that the representatives of the company emphasized their willingness to develop and further strengthen the cooperation with Armenia and added that they are in the stage of discussions and dialogue with the Ministry of High-tech Industry.

In particular, during the meeting, reference was made to the implementation of programs in the field of digitization and the future joint works planned in this direction.

According to the source, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that digitization works are among the priorities of the Armenian government and emphasized the importance of close cooperation in this direction.

Prime Minister Pashinyan also participated in "Digital trust and government continuity. Cloud computing in the era of shifting geopolitics” round table discussion, which was held behind closed doors. The event was organized by Amazon Web Services and the Munich Security Conference.