Author: Hovik Karapetian

 17:29, 1 July, 2020

YEREVAN, 1 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 July, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 482.52 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.32 drams to 540.76 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 6.79 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 6.37 drams to 598.08 drams.

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

Gold price down by 45.18 drams to 27429.2 drams. Silver price down by 0.83 drams to 276.84 drams. Platinum price up by 35.21 drams to 12627.89 drams.

 20:40,

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government should present 100 new projects in the capital construction sector, trying to create jobs for its citizens in Armenia during the current coronavirus pandemic so that they will not depart to foreign countries for work, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at online briefing today, in response to the question of ARMENPRESS.

Numerous Armenian citizens were unable to visit the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union for a seasonal work due to the closure of borders. Asked whether this issue has been discussed with the partners, when it would be possible to restore the regular passenger flows between Armenia and the EAEU states, in particular Russia, the PM said: “It depends on the coronavirus situation not only in Armenia, but also in Russia. But our main plan is to try to create jobs for our citizens in Armenia so that they will have a chance to work here, rather than outside Armenia”.

The PM said the government must present 100 new projects in the capital construction sector, tenders over some of these projects are already taking place. He expressed hope that this plan will be implemented in an effective way, and Armenians departing for a seasonal work will have a chance to work in their homeland. “In any case, this is our best desire, I hope we will be able to fulfill this goal at least to a great extent”, he added.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 19:22, 19 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS. Andrius Kubilius and Ivan Krulko, the Co-chairs of EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly have urged to find a peaceful and negotiated settlement to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. ARMENPRESS reports the Co-chairs spoke about this in their letter addressed to the Leaders of the EU Institutions and the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States and the 6 Eastern Partner countries.

''We call for an immediate end to military hostilities between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces which already claimed too many lives and call on both sides, in the interest of all their citizens, to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which does not have a military solution, through a re-launch of substantive negotiations in good faith and genuine confidence-building measures and dialogue.

We reaffirm our full support to the mediation efforts by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, including at the level of Presidents, based on the 2009 OSCE Basic Principles, in line with the Helsinki Final Act “, reads the letter.

Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan, Editing and Translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

 20:38,

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS. Global challenges require joint action, not confrontation, ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan said during a video conference of Eastern Partnership summit.

‘’Any attempt to escalate tensions in the region in the wake of the pandemic is highly reckless and should be condemned by the international community. In this context, the EU's consistently balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in line with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' approaches, is a very important factor for maintaining peace and stability in our region’’, Pashinyan said.

During the video-conference PM Pashinyan responded to the groundless and fact-distorting announcements of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. Particularly, Pashinyan focused on the racist policy led by the Azerbaijani authorities up till now, bringing the example of glorification of Ramil Safarov who axed to death the Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan while sleeping in Hungary. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the people of Nagorno Karabakh is determined in its decision to shape its own future and is ready to protect its security by adequately responding to any hostility.

PM Pashinyan ones again called on the Azerbaijani president to demonstrate constructive approach and finally publicly agree with his formula, which is the following – any solution to Artsakh issue has to be acceptable for the people of Artsakh, for the people of Armenia and for the people of Azerbaijan.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

 14:51,

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS. A new study out in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of U.S. finds that among all the strategies for reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19, wearing face masks may be the central variable that determines the spread of the virus, Forbes reports.

“Our analysis reveals that the difference with and without mandated face covering represents the determinant in shaping the trends of the pandemic,” the team, from Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California San Diego, write in their new paper.

They analyzed the various mitigation measures put in place in the three major centers of the outbreak—Wuhan, Italy, and New York City—from January 23 to May 9, 2020. The team also looked at the slopes of the curves representing the number of new cases, and how they changed after each measure was mandated. For instance, in NYC, the stay-at-home and social distancing orders didn’t do a lot: the curve really started to change after masks were mandatory. Compare that to the U.S. overall, which never put in place a face-covering policy.

In Wuhan, the response was not only quick, but multiple measures—namely, social distancing, lockdown, and face coverings—were put in place simultaneously. In the U.S., it was slower, and importantly, sequential, making it much less effective.

"Our study establishes very clearly that using a face mask is not only useful to prevent infected coughing droplets from reaching uninfected persons, but is also crucial for these uninfected persons to avoid breathing the minute atmospheric particles (aerosols) that infected people emit when talking and that can remain in the atmosphere tens of minutes and can travel tens of feet," said study author Mario Molina in a statement.

Interestingly, the team also calculated how many people were likely spared from infection by wearing face coverings. According to their calculations, over 66,000 infections were prevented in New York while wearing a face mask, and 78,000 in Italy.

“We conclude that wearing a face mask in public corresponds to the most effective means to prevent inter-human transmission. This inexpensive practice, in conjunction with social distancing and other procedures, is the most likely opportunity to stop the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Zhang.

Finally, the researchers make the important point that science must be the foundation upon which pandemic policy is based.

Armenia has a stable banking system: PM introduces new Central Bank President to staff

 10:38,

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan introduced today new President of the Central Bank of Armenia Martin Galstyan to the Bank’s staff.

Pashinyan thanked former CBA President Artur Javadyan for the works done during this period.

“I wish good luck to Martin Galstyan in his activity as CBA President. Mr. Galstyan is not a new person in the banking system and is working in the field for quite a long time. I closely communicated with the Central Bank in the past two years and can state that the Bank has a very a good team which is working on the stability of the banking system”, the PM said.

According to Pashinyan, the Central Bank is one of the most important achievements of the third Republic. He stated that the banking system in Armenia is stable and well-established.

“All these is seen from how the financial system demonstrated itself in several crisis situations or during political upheavals, including also during the peaceful, Velvet and people’s Revolution, as well as during the current coronavirus crisis. Of course, this change that is taking place is important in a sense that it ensures certain legacy for the activity of the Central Bank. On the other hand, it also symbolizes the further development course and necessity of reforms of changes without undermining the stability”, Pashinyan said.

He said in the current period one of the key challenges of the banking system is to raise the financial literacy among the citizens of Armenia. The PM highlighted the need for actions so that Armenians will be able to see and understand the nuances of the banking system.

“One of our greatest tasks, challenges must be to make the Central Bank more human-centered. We should do so that the context of relations between the banking system and the citizens becomes more constructive in order to avoid negative perceptions around this system. This is one of the most important preconditions for the stability and sustainable development of our economic system”, the Armenian PM added.

He said they have certain agreements with former CBA President Artur Javadyan in terms of future activities. Pashinyan said Mr. Javadyan will be engaged into the process of developing the economic policy, analyzing economic issues and engaging international economic specialists.

“We have concrete programs the implementation of which will be a great success for the development of economic mind of Armenia”, the PM noted.

In turn Artur Javadyan thanked the CBA staff and expressed confidence that the new President will ensure the continuation of the stable work.

“We have a professional team that will be capable to keep the financial stability, as well as to have a stable macroeconomic environment in the current situation caused by this coronavirus crisis”, Javadyan said.

New President of the Central Bank Martin Galstyan thanked for the appreciation.

“During these years a team has been really formed in the Central Bank which passed many experiments and has been capable of solving its tasks. I assure you that the work which has been done will be continuous, we will deepen the cooperation with our partners of the government for the benefit of our nation and society. We will make all efforts to ensure macro-stability in the country regardless of everything”, the new CBA President said.

Martin Galstyan was elected President of the Central Bank by the Parliament on April 17.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 12:49,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the national day – the Queen’s Birthday, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

“Armenia attaches great importance to the constant expansion and development of the Armenian-British mutual cooperation. We managed to establish a productive political dialogue both at the bilateral and multilateral formats. We are ready to take steps to enrich the bilateral agenda with new projects of mutual interest for the benefit of our peoples”, the Armenian President said in his letter.

He wished good health and all the best to the Queen, and further progress, welfare to the friendly people of UK.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan