Vicken Chmshkian – Page 25 – Armenian Directory & News

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 15-11-21

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

18:17,

YEREVAN, 15 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 15 November, USD exchange rate is up by 0.46 drams to 475.65 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 0.86 drams to 544.52 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.02 drams to 6.57 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 1.57 drams to 637.99 drams.

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

18:17,

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

Gold price is up by 68.00 drams to 28452.46 drams. Silver price is down by 0.02 drams to 381.62 drams. Platinum price is down by 182.71 drams to 16439.44 drams.

Iran, Armenia trade can exceed $1 billion – Ambassador

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

Public Radio of Armenia

Nov 13 2021

, 16:12

1 minute read

Iranian Ambassador to Armenia says the trade between Iran and Armenia is on the rise and adds that with a good plan, in near future, the level of turnover between the two neighboring countries could exceed from the current $400 million to one billion dollars a year, IRNA reports.

Abbas Zohouri made the remarks at a meeting with members of the Tehran Stock Exchange, who are in Yerevan to attend the meeting of the Federation of Asian and European Stock Exchanges.

He said that the level of trade ties between the two countries is increasing, and with proper planning, the level of trade ties between the two countries can reach from the current $400 million to $1 billion a year in the near future.

Reminding of the insufficient mutual knowledge of the economic activists of the two countries about the mutual capacities, Zohouri stressed the capacity of Aras Free Zone in Iran and Meghri Free Zone of Armenia, as well as the possibility of the presence of a large group of Armenian investors in the Iranian stock exchange.

Russian, French FMs discuss Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement

November 14, 2021November 14, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

14:34,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries during their meeting in Paris.

Summing up the results of the meeting with his French counterpart, the Russian FM told reporters that several days ago the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in Paris. He informed that all have expressed their support to the statement signed between the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders on November 9, 2020, relating to the ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh.

As for the details of his meeting with Jean-Yves Le Drian, Lavrov said: “The progress of the activity of the Russian peacekeeping forces in solving a number of humanitarian issues was emphasized. Several directions, where a lot needs to be done, were highlighted. In this sense the activity of the Co-Chairs in the future will be concentrated on the solution of humanitarian problems, to create conditions so that Armenian and Azerbaijani communities establish an atmosphere of trust in the region, solve the daily issues with a spirit of constructive compromises”.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

One killed in Artsakh as Azeris open fire on civilian workers near Shushi

November 13, 2021November 13, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

Panorama, Armenia

Nov 8 2021

The National Security Service (NSS) of the Artsakh Republic reports that on November 8, at around 15։00, the Azerbaijani side opened fire at a group of civilians working on a water pipe at a crossroad near occupied Shushi town.

According to the source, as a result of the incident, four civilians were taken to hospital. One of them died from gunshot wounds, the other three workers receive medical aid.

An operative-investigatory and criminal procedure measures are being conducted by investigators of the NSS, Police operative groups and the Investigative Committee.

Asbarez: Council of Europe Publishes Report on Post-War Human Rights Protection in Artsakh

November 13, 2021November 13, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

by Asbarez Staff

November 8, 2021

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović

One year after the signing of the trilateral statement which ended the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published a memorandum addressing the humanitarian and human rights consequences of the conflict and formulates eight recommendations for urgent human rights protection.

The Commissioner observes that access to the conflict-affected territories remains very limited for organizations providing humanitarian relief, as well as for human rights monitoring missions, and that obstacles are increasingly being placed on such missions. In her view, the issue of access to all areas affected by the conflict should be resolved as a matter of priority. The Commissioner calls on all the relevant authorities to come up with effective and flexible modalities of access enabling humanitarian and human rights actors to reach out to all those in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and human rights protection.

The 2020 outbreak of hostilities forced tens of thousands of people living in or near the conflict area into displacement, in addition to those who had been displaced by the conflict in the 1990s. “Anyone who has been displaced due to the conflict and is currently living in Armenia or Azerbaijan, including in areas affected by the conflict, should not be coerced either directly or indirectly to return to their former home”, said the Commissioner. She underlines that returns should be voluntary, and they should be carried out in conditions of safety and dignity. Accurate information should be provided to candidates for return in order to ensure that their choice is informed.

The Commissioner is also aware of the high level of contamination of the region by mines and explosive remnants of war and regrets that since the cessation of the hostilities, many persons, including civilians, have been killed or seriously injured due to the explosion of mines. She calls on the parties to co-operate and engage in the necessary exchange of data so as to facilitate the demining process. She also calls on the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities to ratify the UN Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) and its relevant protocols.

The Commissioner furthermore notes that the issue of captives, in particular of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan, remains a contentious one which exacerbates the already tense relations between the two countries. It is therefore crucial to ensure that all those still in captivity are provided with all protections guaranteed under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to facilitate their release and return.

“Many families still bear the brunt of the conflict, especially those who have lost a family member or whose relatives remain missing. It is therefore of paramount importance to place the families of missing persons, their legal and practical needs, and their right to know the truth at the centre of all actions concerning this issue”, said the Commissioner. In this regard, there is a need for more engagement with both sides to promote communication, establish a common database, and increase the chances of location and identification of mortal remains.

In addition, the Commissioner has received credible reports from NGOs and victims and their families about breaches of international humanitarian law as well as serious violations of human rights by the parties to the conflict. The Commissioner emphasizes that states have the legal obligation under international humanitarian law and the European Convention on Human Rights to hold those responsible for war crimes and serious human rights violations accountable.

Moreover, the Commissioner is particularly concerned by reports of indiscriminate shelling of populated areas resulting in deaths and serious injuries to civilians. She calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to renounce the use of cluster munitions and to ensure effective investigations into violations of international humanitarian law, such as indiscriminate and/or disproportionate attacks, to identify and bring those responsible to account, and provide adequate and effective reparation to the victims.

Lastly, the Commissioner observes that the public debate in both countries has increasingly been marked by toxic, hostile, intolerant, and downright disrespectful communication. “The constant rhetoric of ‘aggression’ or the use of words such as ‘enemies’ to designate the other side only contributes to perpetuating animosities between the people living on the different sides of the dividing lines”, the Commissioner added. She recommends that both member states take resolute action to prevent and combat hate speech and support initiatives that promote peaceful co-existence and reconciliation.

UNESCO General Conference: Armenian FM warns delegates on Azeri blocking of independent mission

November 13, 2021November 13, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

11:37,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. During the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh and its people last fall, the armed forces of Azerbaijan have been deliberately targeting civilian infrastructures, including schools, kindergartens, as well as Armenian cultural and religious heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result, more than 22.000 children of Nagorno-Karabakh have been deprived of their right to education, the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan said in remarks at the 41st Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

“I would like, first of all, to congratulate His Excellency Mourao on his election as President of the 41st session of the General Conference and to extend my wishes of success in his mandate.

I would also like to congratulate Madame Azoulay for being re-elected.

We also thank all the Member States for supporting Armenia's candidature as one of the Vice-Presidents of the General Conference.

The extraordinary challenges that the world faces today from armed conflicts to COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of climate change, emphasize the importance of expanding cooperation in the fields of education, sciences, culture, communication and information. Therefore today, as we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of UNESCO, we reiterate our commitment to the values of UNESCO and support its Strategic Transformation process.

In 2022 Armenia will mark the 30th anniversary of its UNESCO membership, during which Armenia has been and continues to be firmly committed to UNESCO's mandate to advance universal values and fulfill our common goals, including those defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That is why we have decided to stand for the Executive Board of UNESCO by submitting our candidacy for the 2021-2025 term.

Armenia is committed to promoting a future of education based on the principle of equal opportunities for all. We think that Global citizenship education is an important tool to respond to global challenges. We also believe that education and awareness-raising are vital for advancing the prevention of hate speech and identity-based discrimination. This is also one of the main ideas behind establishing the UNESCO Chair on Education and Prevention of Genocide and other Atrocity Crimes in 2020 in Yerevan State University.

Armenia strongly supports UNESCO actions for Global Priority Africa and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). These actions should be further reinforced with special attention to the fields of education and culture.

Armenia supports UNESCO's efforts to safeguard cultural heritage in conflict zones and condemn the attacks on cultural symbols because of their diverse origin or identity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

During the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh and its people last fall, the armed forces of Azerbaijan have been deliberately targeting civilian infrastructures, including schools, kindergartens, as well as Armenian cultural and religious heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result, more than 22.000 children of Nagorno-Karabakh have been deprived of their right to education.

Also, it has been almost a year since Armenia alerted the Director-General and the Member States of UNESCO on the severe threats to the Armenian cultural property located in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control.

We are grateful to Madame Azoulay for her efforts to send an independent technical mission in and around Nagorno-Karabakh in line with the 1954 Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan continues to block the implementation of this mission. This obstructive attitude makes us fear the worst for the state of the Armenian cultural heritage under Azerbaijani controlled territory. Both during the military hostilities and after the establishment of the ceasefire, there have been numerous documented cases of deliberate destruction and acts of vandalism by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the Armenian cultural and religious heritage, and the most notorious example is the double precise drone strikes on the Holy Saviour Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Shushi on October 8th, last year.

Along with the physical destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh's religious and cultural heritage, we witness unacceptable cases of distortion of the identity and changing of the architectural appearance of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh currently controlled by Azerbaijan with more than 1.500 cultural property and 19.000 museum exhibits.

It is crucial to spearhead international efforts and act appropriately to prevent the Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh to share the tragic fate of 28.000 annihilated properties of the Armenian cultural heritage of Nakhijevan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to conclude by stressing the importance of promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, mutual respect, and dialogue between cultures as an essential tool for bringing people together and promoting peaceful co-existence. It will enable us to achieve all of the Organization's priorities,” FM Mirzoyan said in his speech.

Armenian FM addresses UNESCO, urges international effort to prevent cultural heritage in Artsakh

November 11, 2021November 11, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

Public Radio of Armenia

Nov 11 2021

Armenian foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has called for international efforts to prevent the Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh from sharing the tragic fate of 28.000 annihilated properties of the Armenian cultural heritage of Nakhijevan.

“Along with the physical destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh’s religious and cultural heritage, we witness unacceptable cases of distortion of the identity and changing of the architectural appearance of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh currently controlled by Azerbaijan with more than 1.500 cultural property and 19.000 museum exhibits,” Minister Mirzoyan said in an address to the 41st Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

Below is the full text of Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s speech:

Mr. President,

Mr. Chair of the Executive Board,

Madame Director-General,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

I would like, first of all, to congratulate His Excellency Mourao on his election as President of the 41st session of the General Conference and to extend my wishes of success in his mandate.

I would also like to congratulate Madame Azoulay for being re-elected.

We also thank all the Member States for supporting Armenia’s candidature as one of the Vice-Presidents of the General Conference.

In 2022 Armenia will mark the 30th anniversary of its UNESCO membership, during which Armenia has been and continues to be firmly committed to UNESCO’s mandate to advance universal values and fulfill our common goals, including those defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That is why we have decided to stand for the Executive Board of UNESCO by submitting our candidacy for the 2021-2025 term.

Armenia supports UNESCO’s efforts to safeguard cultural heritage in conflict zones and condemn the attacks on cultural symbols because of their diverse origin or identity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Along with the physical destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh’s religious and cultural heritage, we witness unacceptable cases of distortion of the identity and changing of the architectural appearance of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh currently controlled by Azerbaijan with more than 1.500 cultural property and 19.000 museum exhibits.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you.

Azerbaijani military opens fire at Armenian farmer

November 11, 2021November 11, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

14:53,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. A criminal case is opened at the general prosecution over the attempted murder of an Armenian farmer by Azerbaijani troops.

The incident took place on November 9, when a farmer of the Khachik village of Vayots Dzor province was shot at by Azerbaijani forces. The farmer, who was carrying our agricultural works with his tractor, survived the shooting. The window of the vehicle was damaged.

The Azerbaijani servicemen were fueled by ethnic hatred and attempted to murder the villager, the prosecution said.

In accordance to an agreement between the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani prosecutors-general regarding exchange of information on criminal acts at the line of contact, the Russian authorities have been notified on the shooting.

The Russian authorities were also notified on the November 8 shooting near Shushi, where Azerbaijani military servicemen killed 1 Armenian civilian and wounded three others.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Turkish Press: Key piece of Karabakh pact on Zangezur corridor still awaits implementation

November 10, 2021November 10, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

Anadolu Agency, Turkey

Nov 10 2021

Key piece of Karabakh pact on Zangezur corridor still awaits implementation

Implementation of Zangezur corridor 1 year after end of Karabakh war delayed due to Armenian intransigence, while other parts carried out

Ruslan Rehimov |10.11.2021

BAKU, Azerbaijan

It has been a year since the signing of a tripartite declaration between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia ending the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, yet its section on a corridor connecting western Armenia to the exclave of Nakhchivan has yet to be implemented due to Armenia’s uncompromising stance.

A year ago today, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a declaration declaring the end of the conflict in Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, following a nearly three-decade occupation by Armenian forces.

In its first year, some articles of the declaration were applied, while some articles remained on paper due to Armenian intransigence.

The parts on the Zangezur corridor are among those that have not yet been put into force.

Articles 2 and 6, which envisage the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the provinces of Agdam, Kelbajar, and Lachin, were applied long ago. By the end of last November, the Armenian army had left the three occupied provinces, and the Azerbaijani army had settled there.

According to Article 3, Russian elements were placed in the Armenian-populated areas of Karabakh and in the Lachin corridor. A total of 1,960 lightly armed Russian soldiers and 90 armored personnel carriers were deployed to the region. Their term of duty was set at five years, but that could be extended if all parties agree.

In Article 4, which stipulates that "Russian forces are deployed in parallel with the withdrawal of Armenian forces" has not been fully implemented. The Armenian army has withdrawn, but the fact that there are still armed Armenian groups in the region is one of the issues vexing the Azerbaijani side.

Article 5, which provides for the "establishment of an observation center to improve the efficiency of monitoring the compliance of the parties to the cease-fire," was implemented, and a Joint Turkish-Russian Observation Center was established in Agdam, Karabakh this January.

The issue of return of refugees under the control of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) specified in Article 7 has also not yet been implemented due to how the settlements were completely destroyed by Armenians during the occupation period and also for security reasons.

Article 8 on the issue of the exchange of prisoners and the dead was also applied. Azerbaijan has handed over to the opposite side the bodies of more than 1,700 Armenian soldiers which had remained on the battlefields.

The last article, which Azerbaijan has been focusing on with great importance and which provides for the connection of the country’s contiguous territory and the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan – its exclave – via land and rail routes through Armenia, has not yet been implemented.

Azerbaijan has started work on this issue, and construction of the part of this line called the Zangezur corridor up to the Armenian border is underway.

Although Armenia tried to resist, Prime Minister Pashinyan made positive statements about the opening of transport between the western provinces of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan.

Aliyev, Pashinyan, and Putin are expected to meet once again soon and sign a more detailed statement on the determination of transport lines and the borders of the two countries.

Armenia will not take positive steps of its own accord

Ferid Shefiyev, chairman of the Azerbaijan Center of Analysis of International Relations, based in the capital Baku, told Anadolu Agency in a statement that Azerbaijan, which won the war, should put diplomatic pressure on Armenia from now on.

"History shows that Armenia will not take positive steps of its own accord," he said.

“On Jan. 11, 2021, another declaration on transport lines was signed. Although months have passed since then, Armenia has been sitting out the process.

“Due to pressure from Azerbaijan and the influence of Russia, the Yerevan administration has now responded positively to this issue,” he added.

"Unfortunately, there are still armed Armenian forces in the region controlled by Russian elements," Shefiyev stressed, referring to the non-implemented articles of the trilateral declaration.

“There are also problems in the Lachin corridor. We have to enforce control there sooner or later.

“Foreign citizens still use this corridor. Compared to the beginning of 2021, the rate of visits by foreigners has fallen. As far as I know, Russia also doesn’t want problems with this matter.”

Shefiyev said that 4,000 Azerbaijanis were missing in the first Karabakh conflict of the early 1990s, but that Armenia has not yet responded on the fate of these people.

Conflict between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27 last year, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day military conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

Prior to this, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory was under illegal occupation.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10 to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The cease-fire was seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

This Jan. 11, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. The deal also included the establishment of a Turkish-Russian monitoring center.

*Writing by Merve Berker

Prime Minister’s Office to have 34,5% less funding in 2022

November 5, 2021November 5, 2021 Vicken Chmshkian

10:22, 3 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The 2022 state budget draft envisages a 34,5% drop of funding for the Prime Minister’s Office, while the budgets of the President’s Office and the Parliament Staff will remain unchanged, finance minister Tigran Khachatryan said at a joint parliamentary committee discussion on the 2022 state budget draft.

By the 2022 state budget, the President’s Office will have a 1 billion 602,5 million dram budget against the 2021’s 1 billion 601,2 million.

The parliament staff’s funding will comprise 5 billion 992 million drams. In 2021 the parliament staff had a 6 billion 90 million dram budget.

Speaking about the cuts of the Prime Minister’s Office budget, the finance minister said this is because numerous projects which were being implemented by the Prime Minister’s Office previously will now be implemented by other government agencies. The PMO will have a 19 billion 675 million dram budget against the 30 billion 24 million of 2021.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan