11:21, 20 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Ukraine has signalled support for Armenia’s possible participation in the Baltic Black Sea Defence Alliance.

In an interview with AnalitikaUA, Mykhail Podoliak, the adviser to the chief of staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Office, said that Armenian politicians ought to engage in dialogue.

Asked on the possibility of Armenia participating in the Baltic Black Sea Defence Alliance, Podolyak expressed hope that the doors of the alliance will be open. He said that legal and logistic formulas must be found.  “Armenian politicians must engage in dialogue,” he said.

The Ukrainian official expressed conviction that Armenia will overcome the many difficulties it is facing, stressing that Armenians around the world must have faith in their own country.

Podolyak said that Armenia is on the right track.

“The strategy that I now clearly see in Armenia’s stance is the intensive dialogue with NATO countries UK, US, and France, with whom historically there’s always been good dialogue,” he said.

 11:58, 20 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is acquiring the India-made MArG 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers, IDRW (Indian Defence Research Wing) reported.

The howitzers made by Bharat Forge “represent a cutting-edge artillery system, embodying power, precision and mobility,” according to IDRW. The MArG 155mm/39 cal offers exceptional all-terrain manoeuvrability. “Its ability to negotiate gradients up to 30 ° and its ‘shoot and scoot’ capability make it a versatile and formidable weapon in modern combat scenarios.’

Bharat Forge has confirmed that the howitzers it recently showcased are destined for Armenia, according to IDRW. 

According to IDRW, the acquisition of the howitzers by Armenia is a ‘significant development for India’s defence industry.’

“The deal with Armenia builds upon a growing strategic partnership between the two nations, with India emerging as a key supplier of defence equipment to Armenia. In 2020, Armenia acquired four Swathi mobile radar units from India, and in September 2022, a $245 million contract was signed for the purchase of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank rockets and various types of ammunition,” IDRW said.

According to an earlier report by IDRW, Armenian officials had travelled to India to test the artillery system and sign the deal.

 13:07, 20 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and the EU have signed an agreement regarding the status of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).

The agreement was signed at the Foreign Ministry by Deputy FM Paruyr Hovhannisyan and Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos.

The agreement on the status of EUMA pertains to regulating privileges and rights of the mission.

“We are ready to move forwards and further strengthen the presence of the mission in the country, to contribute to stability and monitoring on the Armenian side of the border and to see what is taking place,” Maragos said.

Hovhannisyan in turn explained that the agreement on the status is about creating facilitated conditions for the monitors, ranging from healthcare to technical issues. “It’s similar to the authority that diplomats have in every country,” the Deputy FM said.

A few days ago, the EU Foreign Affairs Council approved the expansion of EUMA.

 10:02, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Men’s Chess Team has won bronze at the European Team Chess Championship in Budva, Montenegro after defeating England 2.5-1.5 in the last round.

Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan defeated Michael Adams, while Hayk Martirosyan, Gabriel Sargsyan and Samvel Ter-Sahakyan had draws.

Serbia won gold and Germany won silver.

 11:19, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The United States continues to engage the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan and offer to facilitate a dignified and durable peace where the rights of all are respected, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in Washington on Monday.

“I will say that we continue to engage the leadership of both countries and offer to facilitate a dignified and durable peace where the rights of all are respected. It is important that Armenia and Azerbaijan discuss and resolve issues directly to benefit the region. We would welcome a role in facilitating those talks. We’ve seen other countries offer to facilitate those talks. We think it’s important that the two countries talk face to face to reach a durable agreement,” Miller said at a press briefing.

Miller refused to comment on the U.S.-mediated Armenian-Azerbaijani foreign ministerial negotiations that were scheduled to take place on November 20, but were cancelled after Azerbaijan opted out.

Asked whether the U.S. still continues offering Washington as a potential platform for the talks, Miller said:  “As I just said, we would be willing to facilitate those talks, as we have in the past, and we welcome other countries doing so as well.”

 11:26, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Center for Research in the Humanities of New York Public Library has been named after Armenian-American historian, Aurora Prize co-founder Vardan Gregorian.

The trustees of The New York Public Library (NYPL) have voted to rename the Center for Research in the Humanities to the Vartan Gregorian Center for Research in the Humanities.

“The change recognizes the profound contribution of Vartan Gregorian, NYPL president from 1981–89, who is credited with restoring and revitalizing the Library—structurally, fiscally, and reputationally as an essential civic and educational center,” NYPL said in a statement.

The Vartan Gregorian Center for Research in the Humanities, located on the second floor of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is dedicated to engaging, inspiring, supporting, and connecting a growing community of scholars worldwide, with each other and with the Library’s world-class collections. The Center encompasses four shared study rooms, as well as the Lenox and Astor Room and other programming spaces for research events that highlight the Library's collections and the research they have fueled.

 12:55, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Defense has denied media reports that claimed Armenia will supply missiles to Ukraine.

Ministry of Defense spokesperson Aram Torosyan denied the reports in written comments to Armenpress.

Armenpress: A number of foreign news media, including Azerbaijani ones, have been generating reports recently claiming that Armenia will supply missiles to Ukraine. This report has also been published by certain Armenian news outlets. How would you comment on this?

Aram Torosyan: A relevant division of the Ministry of Defense is monitoring media reports pertaining to the sector and is commenting or reacting to them according to necessity and appropriateness. This given information is untrue and we call upon Armenian news media not to circulate the fake narratives generated by foreign propaganda sources.

 14:35, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has numerously announced its readiness to negotiate with Azerbaijan, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“Armenia has numerously announced that it is ready for talks,” Arshakyan said when asked to comment on Baku calling on Yerevan to engage in direct talks.  “Furthermore, various peace treaty drafts are being exchanged. In the event of news, our foreign ministry is regularly providing comments. If a documents with proposals is sent to Yerevan, and then conveyed to Baku with proposals from Yerevan, what is this if not talks?”

Arshakyan stressed that Armenia never avoids taking part in talks in platforms which it deems effective.

 15:07, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has submitted to Azerbaijan its 6^th proposal regarding a peace treaty, the Armenian foreign ministry has said.

“Following up Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s public statement of November 18th to intensify diplomatic efforts to achieve signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, the Armenian side submitted its 6th proposal of the Agreement to Azerbaijani side. Armenia remains committed to conclude and sign a document on normalization of relations based on previously announced principles,” the foreign ministry said on X.

 16:35, 21 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with Noel Curran, Director-General of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

PM Pashinyan attached importance to close cooperation and joint projects between the Public Television of Armenia and the EBU, the Prime Minister's Office said in a readout. 

The Prime Minister also attached importance to the role of Public Television and stressed the need for work aimed at its continual development, re-equipping and development of skills of employees.

Noel Curran said that the EBU is interested to closely cooperate with Armenia’s Public Television and is ready to contribute to its development and capacity-building.

The sides also discussed issues pertaining to the role of television broadcasters, freedom of _expression_, and fight against fake news in modern conditions.