15:07, 21 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Russia is actively working in the direction of unblocking of connection routes in South Caucasus and the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian top general Valery Gerasimov has said.

Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said that the situation in the South Caucasus remains tense but has a tendency to stabilize.

“Russia is carrying out active work through political channels in the direction of unblocking of transport connections in Transcaucasia, the signing of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, as well as resolving the most pressing Armenian-Azeri disputes,” the general said at a meeting with foreign military attachés.

Gerasimov claimed that during the Azeri attack in Nagorno-Karabakh in September the Russian peacekeepers accommodated over 10,000 civilians in their deployment bases and then ensured the safe passage of civilians into Armenia. He said that the ceasefire was achieved within 24 hours as a result of the mediation by Russian peacekeepers.

“At the same time, our servicemen continue to fulfil objectives, as guarantors of building peaceful life and return of residents of the region,” he added.

 16:26, 21 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov has arrived in Armenia.

He is expected to have a meeting with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to brief him on the results of the bloc’s summit in Minsk, which Armenia did not attend.

 16:56, 21 December 2023

YEREVAN, 21 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 21 December, USD exchange rate up by 0.08 drams to 405.62 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.17 drams to 444.36 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.08 drams to 4.40 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.47 drams to 512.78 drams.

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

Gold price down by 70.38 drams to 26545.58 drams. Silver price up by 0.84 drams to 312.59 drams.

 10:07,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. A magnitude 4,6 earthquake that struck Iran on Saturday morning was felt in a number of settlements of the Armenian province of Syunik measured at 2-3, the interior ministry’s rescue service said in a statement.

The quake was 33 km northeast of the city of Tabriz and at a depth of 10 km.

 10:35,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Armenia's national hero Hovhannes Chekijian on the occasion of the 95th anniversary, the PM's Office said.

 The message reads as follows:

"Dear Maestro,

I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of your 95th birthday.

Your entire life and work are a brilliant manifestation of unwavering dedication to music, a reflection of the image of a true intellectual.

As a worthy artist, you have made a significant contribution to the development of Armenian choral art.

Your activity is instructive for everyone. For years, you and the State National Academic Choir of Armenia, led by you, have been presenting the Armenian choral art with dignity on the best stages of the world.

National hero of Armenia, great Armenian,
Dear maestro,

I am glad that you continue to work with all your energy today. Congratulating you again on the occasion of the birthday, I wish you good health and all the best.''

 12:48,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. President Joe Biden on Friday signed the $886.3 billion National Defense Authorization Act into law, according to a statement released by the White House.

 "The Act authorizes fiscal year appropriations principally for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy national security programs, Department of State, and the Intelligence Community," the statement reads.

The bill was greenlighted on December 14 by Congress, and on December 13 by the Senate.

The document contains aid for Ukraine worth $800 mln, reports Tass.

 13:13,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS.  Ucom is proud to announce the attainment of the esteemed ISO/IEC 27001 certification, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining advanced information security standards.

Following extensive assessments by international experts, Ucom, the leading national telecommunications operator, has successfully met the criteria of the ISO/IEC 27001 standard, the highest global benchmark for information security management systems (ISMS).

"In today's landscape, where information security holds unprecedented importance, attaining ISO 27001  certification marks a major milestone for both the local telecommunications market and our company. However, beyond this achievement, our primary message to subscribers and partners is that safeguarding their data and ensuring overall information security is our top priority," stated Ucom General Director Ralph Yirikian.

Adhering to ISO/IEC 27001, recognized as the global gold standard, signifies that a certified company has an effective risk management system for information security, cybersecurity, and privacy protection. This enables proactive awareness of security risks and their prevention through early detection.

"To realize its strategic objectives, Ucom has established new targets, with a crucial requirement being the implementation of necessary reforms and, consequently, the acquisition of the ISO/IEC 27001 certificate. The primary aim of system implementation is the safeguarding of personal data for both subscribers and employees, a focal point in the company's priorities. The certification was awarded following an audit conducted by QuayAudit, an English auditing entity," stated Ucom General Director.

This marks Ucom's second ISO certification. In 2023, the company effectively cleared the international certification audit, securing the ISO 9001 quality management system certificate.

***

Ucom is the fastest fixed and mobile services provider in Armenia. The company is the absolute leader of the local IPTV and fixed internet market, as well as occupies the key position on the Armenian mobile internet market. With modernized 4G+ and own fiber optic networks meeting the best international standards, Ucom provides a complete set of fixed and mobile communication services to more than 700,000 subscribers.

 14:28,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS.  The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help its battle against Russia's invasion, the Dutch government said on Friday, reports Reuters.

"Today I informed President Zelenskiy of our government's decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine," caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on social media platform X.

"The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine.

Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure.

This decision confirms the Netherlands’ undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression,’’ added Mark Rutte.

 14:34,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The number of contenders for presidential nomination in Russia’s upcoming election has reached 29, Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairperson Ella Pamfilova said at a commission meeting, Tass reports.

"Many of our colleagues are currently attending the congresses of contenders, whose number has reached 29," she noted.

The presidential election will take place on March 15-17, 2024.

 15:05,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armen Melikbekyan has been re-elected as President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA).

 In the elections held on Saturday, 20 members of the FFA Executive Committee backed his candidacy.

Armenian national team midfielder, who was also running for the FFA President, has gained three votes.