10:14,
YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. On June 22, at about 10:55 p.m. -12: 45 a.m. units of the Azerbaijani military opened fire from different caliber small arms against the Armenian combat positions located in the eastern -Verin Shorzha, Sotk- part of the frontier zone, the Armenian defense ministry said.
There are no casualties from the Armenian side.
16:56,
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Armenian military positions near Nerkin Hand and Srashen, the ministry of defense said in a statement.
“On June 20, at 3:50 p.m., Azerbaijani [armed forces] units opened fire against the Armenian combat positions near Nerkin Hand and Srashen,” the defense ministry said without elaborating.
20:28,
YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. For the second day now, Azerbaijan has blocked all types of humanitarian transportation to Artsakh, which were carried out during the blockade accompanied by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeeping force, ARMENPRESS reports, Artsakh’s human rights defender Gegham Stepanyan wrote on his Facebook page.
"Blocking the transportation of humanitarian goods to Artsakh deepens the humanitarian crisis created in Artsakh as a result of the blockade. The already poor food situation caused by the six-month long blockade creates existential threats for the 120,000 people of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly and 9,000 people with disabilities, due to the blocking of humanitarian transportations.
As a result of the complete blocking of the corridor, the pre-planned transfer of 102 medical patients and their accompanying persons from Artsakh to Armenia and vice versa was not carried out. The supply of necessary medicines has also been completely stopped, causing serious problems for the citizens and the medical facilities of Artsakh," Stepanyan wrote.
According to him, the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the blocking of humanitarian transportation, the deliberate and long-term disruption of the normal functioning of vital infrastructures is an indicator of the fact that even humanitarian issues are used by Azerbaijan to put pressure on the people of Artsakh, terrorize them, and push forward various demands.
"Issues of a humanitarian nature are used by Azerbaijan as a tool to advance the policy of ethnic hatred and ethnic cleansing against the people of Artsakh," concluded Stepanyan.
12:47, 8 June 2023
YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Amanda Freitag, a famous American chef, and star of the Chopped cooking TV show, visited to Armenia on June 1-6 as part of the joint initiative of the Culinary Diplomacy Project and the US Embassy. The Diplomacy Project aimed to promote a sustainable food value chain and culinary entrepreneurship. On June 2, during her visit, the famous chef was hosted by the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality of Yeremyan Projects and shared her experience and skills with the students.
Armenia's appeal as a gastronomic hub and the uniqueness of Armenian cuisine and products sparked Freitag's interest, which served as key motivations for her visit to the country.
"Passing on the knowledge and experience I've gained from my teachers is important to me. That's why I'm here in Armenia, to share my expertise globally. I'm captivated by the operations of this new culinary academy and the cooking practices here. The fresh, simple Armenian food and bread-baking culture have really impressed me. Local dishes are incredibly delicious. I believe New York needs a restaurant showcasing Armenian cuisine," stated Amanda Freitag.
Freitag had a meeting with Davit Yeremyan, the Founder of Yeremyan Projects. She got an in-depth look at the Academy's state-of-the-art classrooms, kitchen facilities, and educational offerings. Yeremyan, acknowledging the importance of such ventures, stressed that the Academy was founded to foster knowledgeable ambassadors for Armenian cuisine—one of the world's oldest.
"We founded the Academy in 2019 having a vision to educate a new generation of chefs who could rise to international standards. In pursuit of this goal, we carried out extensive research into global practices, carefully considering various factors before selecting the British model. Our educational programs bear the certification of Activate Learning Group, City of Oxford College, UK. Our alumni are not just competitive in the domestic market, but also make their mark in international spheres. Alongside their culinary education, students enhance their proficiency in English, apply their learning in practical environments, and seize numerous training opportunities actively."
Davit Yeremyan noted that the institution had 1500 graduates in the last four years. Some graduates work in different countries, including the USA and Europe. Twenty percent of the graduates work in the restaurants of Yeremyan Projects.
Amanda Freitag organized a competition for the future chefs of Armenia studying at Yeremyan Academy, following the format of the renowned American cooking show Chopped. Amanda gave the contestants baskets of food with mystery ingredients, challenging them to prepare an appetizer, main course, and dessert using the basket's contents. She was very impressed by the enthusiasm and creative approaches of the participants.
Along with Amanda Freitag Karen Khachatryan, the head of the "Culinary Art" educational programs of the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality of Yeremyan Projects, the chef of Renommée restaurant, evaluated the teams' work. The participants were awarded certificates.
The meeting with the world-famous chef and the chance to get her professional advice was a unique experience for the students of the Academy. They were very enthusiastic about that experience, so they spared no effort to show all their skills and creative potential.
A series of cooking demonstrations, master classes, and workshops with Armenian chefs and food entrepreneurs were carried out as part of Armenian visit of the famous American chef Amanda Freitag.
13:58, 5 June 2023
YEREVAN, JUN 5, ARMENPRESS. FLYONE ARMENIA transported 400,000 passengers in the five months of 2023, the airline’s Chairman of the Board Aram Ananyan has said.
Ananyan said on June 5 that the airline is approaching the threshold of having a passenger count of 1,000,000 per year.
“This passenger count of 400,000 attests to the fact that passengers trust our airline, and this is what matters above all. On the other hand this speaks about the effectiveness of our airline. We were speaking about half a million passengers at the end of last year, and already today, not having concluded the year yet, we are recording a 400,000 indicator and I have to say that the most active tourism seasons are still ahead. We expect to achieve the bar we’ve set for the year,” Ananyan said.
FLYONE ARMENIA flies to over 20 destinations from Yerevan, Armenia.
17:55,
CHISINAU, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in Moldova.
The Armenian PM’s delegation includes Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan.
Prime Minister Pashinyan will participate in the Second European Political Community Summit on June 1 in Chisinau.
A five-sided meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, President of the European Council Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also scheduled to take place within the framework of the European Political Community Summit.
During the visit the Armenian PM will also have meetings with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš and the Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra Xavier Espot Zamora.
A meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community of Moldova is also scheduled.
15:07,
YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan is not participating in the ongoing Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Defense Ministerial Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Defense Ministry spokesperson Aram Torosyan told ARMENPRESS.
He did not reveal the reason of Papikyan’s non-participation.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Artur Hovhannisyan from the ruling Civil Contract party said he has no information as to why Papikyan is not participating, but stressed he was sure that there is no political subtext.
“Suren Papikyan’s non-participation in the given event has nothing to do with Armenia-CSTO relations. I don’t know details. I am sure that there’s no political subtext,” the lawmaker said, adding that the reason could be linked with some technical issues.
Speaking at the defense ministerial, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu mentioned the ‘importance’ of Armenia’s participation in CSTO joint trainings.
Karkin II and Aram I visited Artsakh in 2016
The Holy Sees of Etchmiadzin and Cilicia issued separate statements decrying and condemning an announcement by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who confirmed on Monday that he had agreed to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.
Both Catholicosates said that Pashinyan’s statement was “unacceptable”
“By recognizing the Republic of Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan, the Armenian authorities would inevitably leave our brothers and sisters in Artsakh facing a new genocide and loss of the homeland,” read a statement issued by the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin after convening an emergency session on Tuesday.
“The independence of Artsakh and the territories of Armenia gained at the cost of the blood of our children are not subject to bargaining,” added the statement, calling on the Armenian government to “abandon this defeatist intent.”
“We believe that a decisive _expression_ of the will of our people on this issue is imperative,” the Etchmiadzin statement said.
In a similar statement issued on Tuesday, the Holy See of Cilicia expressed it complete solidarity with a declaration adopted late Monday by the Artsakh National Assembly, condemning Pashinyan for his posturing on the matter.
“On December 10, 1991, Artsakh already expressed its collective will for sovereignty through a referendum, which was followed by a decision, on July 8, 1992, by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia, which re-emphasized the sovereignty of Artsakh,” said the Cilician Catholicosate.
“According to international law, a nation has the right to self-determination. Therefore, the just right of the people of Artsakh to determine for themselves cannot fall victim to attempts to establish a comprehensive peace within the region and to recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” the Antelias statement said.
“It is imperative to be vigilant, far-sighted and especially determined. Including Artsakh as part Azerbaijan will not only endanger the security of the people of Artsakh, but also the sovereignty and security of Armenia,” said the Cilician Catholicosate. “At this critical juncture in our history, we appeal to all Armenians to unite and support Artsakh.”
NEWS RELEASE Visa Fee Increases Effective May 30, 2023 The U.S. Department of State has increased certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees globally. These fee increases are effective as of May 30, 2023. The application fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from $160 to $185. The application fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) has increased from $190 to $205. The application fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) has increased from $205 to $315. For more information or updates on fees for visa services, please visit travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!umx0twG1HOI5M7y20mJpwvFD_zrBo6rE2c4r-I39CepZc3YK2eYl2JPD8sZQENCwLRQ5jDzYjrI$
**** Վիզաների վճարի ավելացումը գործողության մեջ է մտնում 2023թ․ մայիսի 30-ից ԱՄՆ պետքարտուղարությունն ամբողջ աշխարհում նախատեսում է 2023թ․ մայիսի 30-ից բարձրացնել ոչ ներգաղթային վիզաների որոշ տեսակների համար նախատեսված վճարի չափը։ Բիզնեսի կամ զբոսաշրջության համար նախատեսված B1/B2 տեսակի վիզաների և առանց միջնորդագրի տրվող ոչ ներգաղթային վիզաների՝ ուսանողական, փոխանակման այցելուների վիզաների համար նախատեսված վճարը 160 ԱՄՆ դոլարի փոխարեն այժմ կլինի 185 ԱՄՆ դոլար։ Միջնորդագրի վրա հիմնված ոչ ներգաղթային վիզաների (H, L, O, P, Q և R տեսակի վիզաներ ժամանակավոր աշխատողների համար) վճարը 190 ԱՄՆ դոլարի փոխարեն կլինի 205 ԱՄՆ դոալր։ Ավելացել է նաև E տեսակի վիզաների վճարը` 205 ԱՄՆ դոլարից դառնալով 315 ԱՄՆ դոլար: Հավելյալ տեղեկությունների ու վիզաների վճարների մասին մանրամասների համար տես՝ travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!umx0twG1HOI5M7y20mJpwvFD_zrBo6rE2c4r-I39CepZc3YK2eYl2JPD8sZQENCwLRQ5jDzYjrI$
Press Release.doc
_______________________________________________ Press mailing list [email protected] https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lists.usa.am/mailman/listinfo/press__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!umx0twG1HOI5M7y20mJpwvFD_zrBo6rE2c4r-I39CepZc3YK2eYl2JPD8sZQENCwLRQ5tZ5gP1U$
18:17, 19 May 2023
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. In a number of points of the peace treaty, it was possible to bring the views of Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a common vision, ARMENPRESS reports, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, announced after a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov.
"In a number of points of the peace treaty, which were discussed today, it was possible to bring the views of both sides closer to the common vision. Now the bilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan has started, after which they will inform us about the results they have achieved.
Our task was to provide a platform for a bilateral meeting. We presented our approaches. We hope that this event will allow the ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve practical results. We will continue to contribute to the progress in order to fully implement all the provisions of all tripartite statements, which are the basis for efforts aimed at the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations," Lavrov said.