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Author: Jack Hunanian

Armenpress: Armenian, Georgian PMs express readiness to boost trade turnover

Jack Hunanian

Armenian, Georgian PMs express readiness to boost trade turnover

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 18:10, 8 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. At the invitation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in Georgia on an official visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, David Zalkaliani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, met the Armenian PM at Shota Rustaveli International Airport of Tbilisi. Nikol Pashinyan headed to the Government of Georgia from the airport, where Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili met him.

The official welcoming ceremony of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia took place. The state anthems of Armenia and Georgia were performed in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries, performed by a military orchestra. Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili, accompanied by the Commander of the Guard of Honor, inspected the military orchestra and Guard of Honor, after which introduced each other to the members of the official delegations of Armenia and Georgia.

Afterwards, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili held a private conversation.

In his welcoming speech, the Prime Minister of Georgia said,

'' I would like to greet the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan. I am glad that my dear colleague visited Tbilisi today.

I would like to congratulate my colleague once again on his convincing victory in the parliamentary elections. I am confident that he will bring success and development to the Armenian people and Armenia.

Welcome!’’.

 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said,

‘’ Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,

First of all, let me thank you for the invitation and the warm reception.

It has always been a great honor and pleasure for me to visit the capital of fraternal Georgia, because this is a good opportunity to first communicate with friends and second, to discuss issues of our bilateral, regional and international relations.

I am glad that quite effective cooperation has been established between our governments. I am sure that based on the results of our meeting, the cooperation will become more effective and closer’’.

The private conversation between the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia was followed by an extended-format meeting of the governmental delegations of the two countries. Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili discussed a wide range of issues of the agenda of Armenian-Georgian friendly relations.

The Armenian Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Georgian side and the Georgian Prime Minister for the efforts made by Georgia for returning 15 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, emphasizing that it was a significant contribution to peace and stability in the region. In this context, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted Georgia's balanced position on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which should be based on the principles proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The Prime Minister referred to Azerbaijan's unconstructive policy, anti-Armenian rhetoric, which is a threat to regional stability and security.

The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia noted with satisfaction the significant intensification of high-level bilateral official visits in the last three years, which has given a new impetus to the Armenian-Georgian cooperation.

The parties exchanged views on the domestic political situation in the two countries. Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that for the second time in the history of Armenia the elections are recognized by international observers as completely transparent, free and fair, as a result of which it was possible to overcome the domestic political crisis in Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the strengthening of the rule of law, including the fight against corruption, opening the era of peace and development for the Armenian people, as well as for the region are the priorities of the Armenian Government's Action Plan.

The interlocutors discussed the ways for further development of economic ties. The sides expressed mutual readiness to increase trade turnover. In this regard, the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia was highlighted, the next sitting of which is scheduled to be held in Georgia at the end of this year. An agreement was reached to continue the ongoing programs, as well as to develop new initiatives in the fields of transport, energy, high technologies and other spheres.

The sides highlighted the five-sided format of cooperation between Armenia-Georgia-Bulgaria-Greece-Iran and the continuous work on the draft agreement on the establishment of an international transport corridor from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea.

Armenian, Artsakh FMs discuss NK conflict settlement

Jack Hunanian

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 16:02, 7 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. On September 7, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan met in Yerevan with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Issues related to the cooperation of the two Armenian states in the field of foreign policy, regional processes and the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict were discussed.

The sides noted the importance of continuous expansion and intensification of cooperation, maintenance of a high level of cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two Armenian states, and organization of regular discussions on various issues.

Chief of Staff of the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh Semyon Afiyan and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the Republic of Armenia Sergey Ghazaryan participated in the meeting.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan rapidly building roads leading to Karabakh

Jack Hunanian
6 September 2021 10:54 (UTC+04:00)
554

By Trend

Following the success in the 44-day second Karabakh war [from late Sept. to early Nov.2020], and liberation of its lands from Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan is focusing on reconstruction and revival of these territories.

Important projects have already been launched in this direction. Naturally, first of all, the creation of road infrastructure is one of the main tasks.

During his each visit to the liberated territories, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been laying down foundations of strategically important objects, including roads and airports. For example, during his visit to the liberated Fuzuli district on January 14, the president laid down the foundations of the Fuzuli-Shusha road on the 27-km section of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway, as well as the airport in the Fuzuli district.

The new design of the Fuzuli-Shusha road includes the construction of bridges and tunnels. In areas with difficult terrain, it’s planned to build bridges and tunnels instead of bypass roads. The new road will be connected to Fuzuli airport, and from this road another new road will be laid to Isa spring [in Shusha city].

The Horadiz-Aghbend railway, the foundation of which was laid down by President Aliyev on February 14, should be also mentioned. This railway, with a total length of 100 kilometers, has a huge strategic importance, because this transport infrastructure will play a significant role in ensuring the movement of Azerbaijani citizens to the liberated lands, and, most important, will greatly contribute to creating a direct railway transport link between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Besides, the foundations of the Fuzuli-Hadrut, Zangilan-Horadiz, as well as Barda-Aghdam highways have already been laid down, and a new alternative highway with nearly 80-km length is being built without entering the city of Lachin.

On August 29, Azerbaijani president reviewed the final completion work for the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha 'Victory Road' [being built to commemorate path which was used by Azerbaijani troops to liberate Shusha city] and was informed that the construction of the 'Victory Road' is nearing completion. The length of the two- or three-lane road is 101 kilometers. Asphalt-concrete pavement has already been laid on the 92-km section of the road. Work on other sections is ongoing. Bridges and underpasses have been built along the road.

The Victory Road is being built taking into account the development plan of Karabakh. Starting from the Hajigabul-Minjivan-Zangazur corridor, the road extends to the city of Shusha, the main city of Karabakh.

The construction of four new road bridges along the new road has been completed in accordance with the project. The bridges are 45, 80 and 90 meters long and were built at 26.9, 37.2, 37.5 and 57.3-km sections of the road. Thus, easy access to this road will be provided.

Recently, the State Agency for Azerbaijan Automobile Roads has published a map of roads being built in Karabakh and East Zangazur [economic regions]. The map covers 10 major highways under construction with a total length of 665.4 km, and also includes highways to be built, but the length of which isn’t specified.

Reportedly, along with the construction of 101-km Victory Road, construction of 81.6-km Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha, 80.7-km Toghanaly-Kalbajar-Istisu, 72.3-km Kalbajar-Lachin, 123.8-km Ahmadbayli-Horadiz-Minjivan-Aghbend roads continues.

Besides, 22-km Talish-Tapgaragoyunlu-Gashalty, 83-km Khudafarin-Gubadly-Lachin, 43-km Shukurbayli-Jabrayil-Hadrut, 13-km Fuzuli-Hadrut and 45-km Barda-Aghdam highways are under construction.

​No talks on peace treaty with Azerbaijan – Armenian FM

Jack Hunanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 31 2021

No talks on peace treaty with Azerbaijan – Armenian FM

 August 31, 2021, 17:58 

There are currently no negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

“The Azerbaijani authorities had better concentrate on the implementation of agreements reached earlier under the statements of November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021,” Minister Mirzoyan said.

“There are currently no negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If they start at some point in the future, they should include the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh based on the principles stipulated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” the Armenian FM said.

Azerbaijan, Turkey begin joint exercise in Lachin District bordering on Armenia

Jack Hunanian
TASS, Russia
Sept 6 2021
Special attention will be paid to the troops' ability to use advanced military hardware on rugged terrain

BAKU, September 6. /TASS/. The armed forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey have begun a joint tactical exercise in the Lachin District of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"The main task of the exercise by Azerbaijani and Turkish military personnel is to practice combat cooperation and coordination in joint operations and to let commanders develop decision-making skills," the Defense Ministry's news release runs.

Special attention will be paid to the troops' ability to use advanced military hardware on rugged terrain.

Tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh soared on September 27, 2020, resulting in a flare-up of hostilities. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a trilateral statement that allowed for ending combat operations in the area. The Azerbaijani and Armenian forces stopped at the positions they were holding at the moment. A number of districts was put under Baku's control. Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the disengagement line and the Lachin corridor.

​Russia is ready to help improve relations between Armenia and Turkey – Zakharova

Jack Hunanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2021

Russia is ready to help improve relations between Armenia and Turkey – Zakharova

 September 2, 2021, 19:52 

Moscow is ready to further promote the improvement of relations between Ankara and Yerevan, and sees positive signals between the countries, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told reporters today.

“We recorded the recent exchange of positive signals between Yerevan and Ankara, I mean we recorded them in the context of the fact that we saw them and took note of them,” Zakharova noted.

The diplomat noted that the establishment of relations between the countries would contribute to the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity in the region, especially against the background of “the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations in the context of the implementation of the statements signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021.”

Zakharova reminded that Russia has always stood for the improvement of relations between Armenia and Turkey and took an active part in this process.

“By the way, in the past we were directly involved in the relevant mediation efforts. That is how we facilitated the signing of the so-called Zurich Protocols in 2009 in Zurich. They assumed a gradual improvement in relations between Armenia and Turkey without putting forward preconditions,” she noted.

“Unfortunately, the initiatives that were achieved with the mediation of Russia have not been implemented by the parties. But this was the will of each state,” she added.

Armenian caretaker health minister presents steps to be taken to increase COVID-19 vaccinations

Jack Hunanian

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 14:14, 29 July, 2021

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker minister of healthcare of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan has presented the upcoming actions aimed at increasing the number of people who get vaccinated against COVID-19.

She told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that she has always stated that the vaccination results are not so satisfactory. “But we are satisfied with the constantly growing number of those who seek to get vaccinated. I hope that with the arrival of new batches of vaccines this rate will grow, and we will have a chance to reach our targets on the right time, by the end of the year”, she added.

As for the packages which are being prepared for applying some restrictions connected with the virus, Avanesyan said they propose a COVID-19 test requirement from time to time in public services field, especially in those workplaces where there are broad contacts and the citizens are representatives of risky groups.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Sports: Tokyo-2020: Armenian Australian coach Brian Goorjian heading towards Olympic medal with men’s basketball team

Jack Hunanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 1 2021


Armenian-Australian coach Brian Goorjian is heading towards securing a medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the Australian ‘Boomers’ Men’s basketball team, Armenia Media – Armenian News from Australia reports.

The Boomers, coached by American-born Armenian-Australian Brian Goorjian have continued their impressive run in the men’s competition, beating Germany 89-76 to secure their 3rd win in the group stage and holding onto top spot in their group.

Goorjian played for the Melbourne Tigers for 8 years before coaching many successful teams in the National Basketball League (NBL).

He is the most successful coach in Australian basketball and his career has been called the most successful in NBL history by Basketball Australia.

He is now leading the Australian men’s team again with the hope of securing their first ever medal at an Olympic Games.

Goorjian has also played for local Armenian-Australian team Homenetmen Arax and has been a regular at the Homenetmen Navasartian Games, especially when held in Melbourne.

Heroin worth $ 45 million seized in Armenia

Jack Hunanian
News.am, Armenia
15:20, 30.07.2021
Region:Armenia

At the beginning of July 2021, the Department for Combating Smuggling of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia received operational information that a transnational organized criminal group engaged in the illegal transportation of heroin from Iran to the EU countries plans to transport a large consignment of heroin in transit through the territories of Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine.

Agreements were reached with the police of Ukraine and Georgia on joint round-the-clock operational-search activities. The employees of the Armenian National Security Service were involved in the operative-search work.

Employees of the Border Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia in Armenia and the regional office of the US Department of Justice Department of Justice, located in Tbilisi, were also involved in the implementation of the event.

During the 20-day operational-search event, a representative of the anti-smuggling department of the Armenian State Revenue Office was sent to Georgia and then to Ukraine. A truck with 20 tons of refractory bricks arrived from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia on July 4, 2021. According to the operational information received, he was supposed to carry heroin.

With the operational escort of representatives of the law enforcement agencies of Armenia, Georgia, and then Ukraine, the truck headed through the territories of Armenia and Georgia to the port of Poti, and from there by ship to the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine, from where, upon arrival, the vehicle headed to Kyiv.

Two Turkish citizens who are members of this group rented a warehouse in Kyiv. It was to this warehouse that the goods were delivered, unloaded and stored as a cache for drugs after customs clearance. On July 22, Ukrainian law enforcement officers, with the participation of representatives of the Anti-Smuggling Department of the State Revenue Committee and the Georgian Police, entered a warehouse in Kyiv, where they found 1164 packages of heroin with a total weight of 368 kg, transported from Iran to Ukraine. On the same day, the mentioned Turkish citizens were detained in Kiev. The discovered drugs were planned to be sent in small batches to the countries of the European Union. Within the framework of this criminal case, a few days later, another Turkish citizen born in 1948 was detained in Kyiv.

The value of the drug discovered on the black market is about US $ 45 million.