Author: Hambik Zargarian

 13:42, 28 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS. All sides should do everything so that the Azerbaijani units, which infiltrated into the territory of Artsakh, return back to their initial positions, Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan told reporters in the Parliament today.

“One thing is clear: the positions, where the sides were located after November 9, have been violated, both in the direction of the position and the height. And all sides should do everything so that the Azerbaijani troops return back to their initial positions. This is very clear”, the minister said, when asked to comment on the recent incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the area that is under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenia is staunch advocate for smart investments, deputy PM says in UAE

 09:47, 30 March, 2022

YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Hambardzum Matevosyan participated on March 29 in the Annual Investment Meeting 2022 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, his Office said.

While delivering remarks at the event, the deputy PM presented the Armenian government’s policy of “open doors” for investments. He said this conference will allow to reveal the whole potential and the policy directed to smart investments of the participating states.

“The government of Armenia assumed a commitment to build a science-based, export-directed and inclusive economy. On this path we promote the inflow of foreign investments which push forward innovation, generate knowledge and technologies, contributing to the overall upgrading of the economy”, the deputy PM said, assuring that the government remains committed to the policy of “open doors” and ensuring transparent, fair and beneficial environment for foreign investments.

He also said that the government continues the reforms directed to the investment climate and the public services, proposing to foreign investors predictable and competitive business environment, with strong protection guarantees in accordance with the best international standards.

“In addition to general economic reforms, Armenia is also actively diversifying its economy, giving priority to those areas which create broad investment opportunities. For example, the impressive progress of Armenia’s information technologies industry boosted the revolutionary industries, including the biotechnologies and agrotechnologies. The prospering IT industry has not only become an engine for stable growth, but also an exemplary model for other countries”, he said, proposing the foreign entrepreneurs also to consider Armenia for their successful business initiatives. The deputy PM also presented the Enterprise Armenia agency, created by the government for boosting investments.

As for the COVID-19-related consequences and challenges, the deputy PM assured that Armenia’s investment environment is well positioned for the post-Covid world. “As the pandemic is gradually receding, we expect growth in investments from different countries. Our investment specialists are ready to help, the government in its turn will come up with new initiatives, by creating a favorable legislation for the business aimed at attracting investments from the whole world. I repeat, we are staunch advocates for small investments, and the great opportunities are ahead”, he said, calling on investors to take action.

 18:26,

YEREVAN, 31 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 31 March, USD exchange rate is down by 1.86 drams to 485.91 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 3.53 drams to 539.21 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is up by 0.15 drams to 5.98 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 3.22 drams to 637.61 drams.

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

Gold price is up by 258.38 drams to 30211.32 drams. Silver price is up by 0.32 drams to 386.73 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

 19:31,

YEREVAN, 25 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The general approach of the Czech Republic to the Nagorno Karabakh issue is supporting the policy and position of the European Union, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Armenia Bedrich Kopetsky told Armenpress, emphasizing that the European Union makes great efforts to promote a comprehensive settlement.

The Czech Ambassador, however, refrained from commenting on the ceasefire violations in Artsakh since yesterday and the military actions taken by the Azerbaijani armed forces, saying that he does not have a full picture of the situation.

"First of all, it is necessary to have a clear picture of the situation, which I do not have. So I have to examine first. But as you know, we do not have a presence there, we do not have the opportunity to get the information we need to get a complete picture. We do not have the opportunity to observe the situation, and it is wrong to give an assessment without having complete information on the table. This is a very important fact. I understand what you mean, but this is a very sensitive question, I must be very careful in making assessments. The Russian peacekeepers have the best picture of the situation, so my question is what they are doing," the Czech Ambassador told ARMENPRESS.

On March 24, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, in gross violation of the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, invaded the area of responsibility of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation in the Artsakh Republic, took control of the village of Parukh in the Askeran region and adjacent positions, and then tried to advance on the eastern border of the Artsakh Republic.

On March 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces continued their aggressive operations, in addition to firearms using also drones, including "Bayraktars", as a result of which two Armenian servicemen were killed and several others were wounded. According to the information verified at the moment, 14 people have received various degrees of injuries. The condition of 10 of them is assessed by doctors as mild, one as moderate, one as severe, the condition of two servicemen is extremely serious.

 21:59,

YEREVAN, 25 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The gas supply to Nagorno Karabakh must be restored immediately, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Armenia Bedřich Kopecký told Armenpress, referring to the statement of Peter Stano, Spokesman of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

"The spokesperson of the High Representative Josep Borrell already gave the declaration in the name of all of us, that the gas supply should be immediately given to Nagorno Karabakh. We support clearly the common position of the European Union", Bedřich Kopecký, the Czech Ambassador to Armenia said, commenting on the humanitarian situation in Artsakh.

The gas pipeline which is passing through the territory that is under Azerbaijani control was blown on March 8. After long negotiations, it was possible to restore it on March 18, but three days later gas supply again stopped as a result of the Azerbaijani intervention.

 16:36,

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged NATO to provide Kyiv with unlimited military aid in a message via video link.

"To save people and our cities, Ukraine needs military assistance without restrictions. In the same way that Russia is using its full arsenal without restrictions against us," the Ukrainian leader told NATO representatives gathered in Brussels as reported by France24.

US President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels on Thursday to attend a series of NATO, G7, and European Union summits on the war in Ukraine. Biden will later visit Warsaw to meet Polish President Andrzej Duda.