ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday Appathurai: NATO all allies will welcome the signing of agreement between Armenia and EU on deep and extended partnership Yerevan June 12 Marianna Mkrtchyan. All NATO allies will welcome the signing of an agreement between Armenia and EU on a deep and expanded partnership. On June 12, during the press conference in Yerevan, NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai said, answering the question of how the Alliance relates to the signing of the Armenia-EU framework agreement in autumn this year. "NATO allies will be happy that Armenia will be able to use all the benefits which can give cooperation with EU, as it does with the other side (European Economic Union-editor's noted)", NATO General Secretary representative said. In autumn of the current year in Brussels, during the Summit of Eastern Partnership, signing of frame agreement between Armenia and EU is scheduled. To remind, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and European Council representative Donald Tusk on February 27 in Brussels announced the finish of the negotiations on Armenia-EU agreement over new frame agreement. And on March 21 Armenia and EU initialed an agreement on integral and extended partnership in Yerevan. To note, on October 12, in Luxembourg, the Council authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. This agreement will replace the current EU-Armenia partnership and cooperation agreement. The EU is committed to further developing and strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework. On December 7, at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced the launch of negotiations on the new Armenia- European Union framework agreement. The first round of the talks took place in Jan 2016. In late 2016, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian expressed hope that the talks on the new framework agreement will be over in the near future.
Category: 2017
Karen Karapetyan and Dimitry Kumsishvili discussed economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday Karen Karapetyan and Dimitry Kumsishvili discussed economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia Yerevan June 12 Naira Badalyan. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan in Dilijan, within the framework of the annual gathering of a subgroup of IMF/WB countries headed by Belgium and the Netherlands, held a meeting with the delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dimitri Kumshishvili. As the parliamentary press service reports, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia discussed issues concerning the agenda of the Armenian-Georgian relations and, in particular, economic cooperation. Karen Karapetyan and Dimitry Kumsishvili touched upon joint programs in various spheres, positively assessed their progress and discussed further steps. The parties noted with satisfaction that in recent months the volume of trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia has been steadily growing and it is necessary to work consistently in the direction of increasing these rates. The interlocutors confirmed mutual readiness to continue active cooperation in the direction of stimulating the ties between the business circles of the two countries, attracting investments, cooperation within the framework of free economic zones and in the sphere of tourism, deepening intercultural ties. Exports from Armenia in January December 2016 amounted to 1 billion 782 million 924.7 thousand USD. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the growth of exports compared to 2015 was 20%. At the same time, imports to Armenia in 2016 increased by 1.6% and amounted to 3 billion 292 million 425.3 thousand USD. The volume of bilateral trade with neighboring Georgia increased by 27.7% and amounted to 245 million 261.5 thousand USD.
Volynkin: Armenian-Russian military-border cooperation is of key importance in ensuring peace and security in the South Caucasus region
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday Volynkin: Armenian-Russian military-border cooperation is of key importance in ensuring peace and security in the South Caucasus region Yerevan June 12 Mariana Mkrtchyan. For a quarter of a century this holiday is important - the Day of Russia marks not only the beginning of a new era for the Russian state, but also restores the connection of times, awakens in Russians a sense of belonging to the centuries-old Russian history and great culture. This was announced on June 11 by the ambassador of Russia to Armenia Ivan Volynkin at the opening of the gala concert on the occasion of the Day of Russia. "We are all part of a society that enriched the treasury of world classics with great works of art and literature, made a decisive contribution to the defeat of fascism and the liberation of Europe from slavery and oppression, created the newest space technologies and first sent a man into space. And today, Russia is actively transforming and developing to remain a stable and strong state, keeping pace with the times," the ambassador said. At the same time, he stressed that Russia and its citizens highly appreciate allied relations with Armenia. "This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations - this solemn date is based on the centuries-old history of friendship and the spiritual closeness of our peoples, is a solid foundation of interaction, contributes to the achievement of new results in all areas of interaction. Over the past 25 years, more than 200 interstate, intergovernmental, interdepartmental treaties and agreements have been concluded between our states covering virtually all areas of cooperation. Together we work productively within the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union, coordinate efforts at other international venues. Russian-Armenian relations have reached a new level and continue to expand and deepen intensively," Volynkin said. He stated that Russia is Armenia's main trade and economic partner and the main investor, major joint projects are being implemented in the fields of energy, space research, agriculture, industry, information and communication technologies, transport and tourism. "Russia on an ongoing basis provides significant assistance to Armenia in the field of International Development. We actively finance the projects presented in Armenia by the organizations of the UN system, we are talking about hundreds of millions of RUR annually directed to social and economic development, improving the health care and education system in the republic. On June 9, an open door day was held at the Russian air base Erebuni. On June 10 in the House of Moscow the solemn opening of the exhibition of the famous Russian patron of Armenian origin Hrachya Poghosyan "With love to Armenia and Russia", one family from Gyumri, which suffered from the 1988 earthquake, was handed keys to the apartment. It is from such real affairs that the true friendship of the peoples develops," concluded Volynkin. The staff of the Russian Embassy in Armenia, performed well-known Armenian and Russian works at the concert, and the Alexandrov Russian Army Song and Dance Ensemble performed military and patriotic works.
Armenian PM and Rosatom head discussed the implementation of the program to extend the life of the second power unit of Armenian NPP
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday Armenian Prime Minister and Rosatom head discussed the implementation of the program to extend the life of the second power unit of Armenian NPP Yerevan June 12 Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on June 12, met the general director of the state corporation "Rosatom" Alexei Likhachev. According to the Government press service, during the meeting Karen Karapetyan stressed the importance of cooperation between Armenia and Russia in the energy sphere. He expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral cooperation. The sides discussed the process of implementing the program for the extension of the second power unit of the Armenian NPP. Alexei Likhachev noted that the work on the block is carried out in accordance with the established schedule. He added that the program to extend the life of the power unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant is one of the most important programs in the energy cooperation between the two states. Then Alexey Likhachev presented to the head of the Armenian Government the intermediate results of the work done, referring to the forthcoming works. TsNIITMASH, an industrial enterprise of the Rosatom. As for the instrumental survey, the main task of this exercise is to calculate and confirm the residual life of the equipment using non-destructive testing methods. In simple words, it is necessary to check the possibility of further operation of NPP equipment. As you know, there is a lot of equipment on the NPPA, so the instrumental survey is distributed for several years, without compromising the safety and operation of the NPPA. Last year, we started this process; this year the volume of the surveyed equipment increased by 50% compared to last year (150 types of equipment) at the request of the supervisory authority. We hope to finish the instrumental survey process next year and in 2019. Transfer calculations and conclusions to the supervisory authority - the State Committee for Nuclear Safety Regulation. We hope to finish on time, but everything will depend on the results of the survey and the decision of the Gosatomnadzor. On 30 Sept 2015, Tashir Group headed by Russian businessman of Armenian origin Samvel Karapetyan and Inter RAO signed an agreement of purchase and sale of electric power assets of the Russian energy holding in Armenia - ENA CJSC and Hrazdan TPP. The reason of the sale was the public discontent about the ungrounded growth in electricity prices by approximately 16.7% (6.93 AMD per 1 kWh). The Public Services Regulatory Commission's (PSRC) decision to raise the tariff sparked protests and the Armenian authorities agreed to audit both the expediency of PSRC's decision to raise the tariff and the activities of the Electric Networks. In addition, the authorities and Tashir Group took a decision to subsidize on a parity basis the raised tariff for the households and SMEs until the audit is completed. Since August 1, 2015, the daytime tariff for households (from 7 am till 11 pm) has been 48.78 AMD per 1kWh, while the nighttime tariff has been 38.78 AMD per 1 kWh.
IMF Tao Zhang: we need to continue diversification and modernization of Armenian economy
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday IMF Tao Zhang: we need to continue diversification and modernization of Armenian economy Yerevan June 12 Karina Meliqyan. It is necessary to continue diversifying and modernizing the Armenian economy, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Zhang Tao expressed such an opinion congratulating Armenia on the 25th anniversary of membership in the IMF. "During these 25 years, Armenia has made significant progress in ensuring macroeconomic stability, namely, satisfactory rates of economic growth, inflation targeting, and relatively good fiscal policy management. We are proud that we give consultations to such a partner as Armenia, we provide technical and financial assistance to regulate the economy and create more solid bases for economic growth", the IMF Deputy Managing Director said, adding that the cooperation with Armenia and the willingness to continue will continue. To note, the members of the Dutch group at the IMF and the Belgian group with the World Bank are Bulgaria, Israel, Luxembourg, Romania, Ukraine, Belgium, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands. Menno Snel, who represents the interests of the member countries in the Executive Council of the IMF, heads the group. The meetings of this group involve high- level officials and leading experts of the global financial system.
OSCE MG Co-Chairs, Artsakh President discuss situation in border between Artsakh and Azerbaijan
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday OSCE MG Co-Chairs, Artsakh President discuss situation in border between Artsakh and Azerbaijan YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan on June 12 hosted OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov (Russian Federation), Stephane Visconti (France) and Richard Hoagland (USA), personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk and officials accompanying them, press service of the Artsakh President’s Office told Armenpress. Issues related to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement and situation along the borders between Artsakh and Azerbaijan were on the discussion agenda. President Sahakyan drew the attention of the co-chairs to the unconstructive policy of Azerbaijan, numerous facts of breaches and violations of the ceasefire regime, international norms and principles, qualifying them as the most important hindrances of the conflict settlement process and serious threats for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Artsakh President reaffirmed adherence of the official Stepanakert to the peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group.
By spreading false reports Azerbaijan misleads its own society – Artsakh Defense Ministry spox
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday By spreading false reports Azerbaijan misleads its own society – Artsakh Defense Ministry spox YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Army of Artsakh once again denies the false reports of the Azerbaijani side. The Azerbaijani media reports on firing the villages of Aghdam region by the Armenian side do not correspond to reality and are a primitive propaganda trick to mislead their own people and the international community, Senor Hasratyan, spokesman of the Artsakh Defense Ministry, told Armenpress. “The information has nothing to do with reality. The goal of spreading such information is to mislead its own society. Moreover, the harvesting is already over in Azerbaijan and they burn their crops as a result of which fire quickly spreads in neutral zone of Artsakh-Azerbaijan opposing forces”, Senor Hasratyan said.
Russian military expert sees similarity between atrocities of Turks and Azerbaijanis in April 1915 and 2016
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday Russian military expert sees similarity between atrocities of Turks and Azerbaijanis in April 1915 and 2016 YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Russian military expert Vladimir Evseev, deputy director of the CIS Countries Institute, doesn’t imagine complete, effective talks on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement without the participation of Stepanakert. The expert identified three issues which serve basis for the conflict’s possible settlement. “The return of Stepanakert to negotiation table, expansion of OSCE mission, as well as installation of investigative mechanisms. These are realistic”, he told Armenpress, adding that he doesn’t see any prospect for resumption of serious talks since Azerbaijan has no motivation. According to Vladimir Evseev, by their last statement the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs accepted what had happened, however this is not enough, since, according to him, real actions are needed except from calls and statements. “If I were on their place, I would urge Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations. I don’t know why they didn’t do it: unfortunately, this is a double standards policy, in other words, there was a statement, however, it was not followed by any action. I think in any case this statement cannot be a restraining factor for Azerbaijan. The only restraining factor are the Armed forces. Only through force it will be possible to return Azerbaijan to negotiation table”, he said. The military expert visited Artsakh in February to take part in the constitutional referendum as an observer. He told that he met with Talish residents who remained without settlements due to Azerbaijani aggression, however, they have a great desire to return to their village. “They live in this way since they have constantly been under fire, and most importantly, their homes have been under sniper fire. Someone must be held accountable for this”, he said. He also talked about the tortures of Azerbaijani armed forces on Talish civilians, as well as the Defense Army soldiers carried out in April last year, stating that the Azerbaijani side must be definitely held accountable. “They must face the issue of standing before the tribunal, they deserve it since these atrocities are violations of international law. The next incident which angered me was the beheading of soldier with Yazidi origin after which it was also displayed. I remembered a photo at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute which depicted heads of three Armenians laid on the table, and on the back were Turks. There are many similar phenomena. During that time this was a crime, and especially now it is also a crime”, Vladimir Evseev said. Asked how he will comment on Russia’s policy to sell weapons to Azerbaijan in case when Russia always highlights that Armenia is its ally, the expert said: “Arms sales to Azerbaijan is not an economic issue for Russia. Armenia believes that by this Russia receives money, moreover, at the expense of blood of Armenian soldiers. This is not true since Russia does it to keep Azerbaijan under its influence. There are many questions in Russian-Azerbaijan relations which are not related with Armenia. Russia doesn’t want to quarrel with Azerbaijan. At the same time Russia understands that the level of relations with the two countries is different. For Russia Armenia is an ally, the Russian military base is deployed here. There is no Russian military base in Azerbaijan. We are not considered as allies. We could also refuse from arms sales, but otherwise, how it would be possible to maintain influence”, the military expert said. Syuzi Muradyan
Candidates with Armenian origin lead in first round of French parliamentary elections
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday Candidates with Armenian origin lead in first round of French parliamentary elections YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. The En Marche! (On the Move) party of French President Emmanuel Macron sets for big win in the first round of parliamentary elections, reports Armenpress. The election results were also quite positive for candidates with Armenian origin who are mainly nominated by En Marche! and the center-right Republicans. Pascal Chamassian (En Marche!) is leading in first electoral district of Bouches-du-Rhône community of Marseille with 29.43% of votes, and the second candidate is Valérie Boyer(Republican) with 24.68%. Danièle Cazarian (En Marche!) leads in Bouches-du-Rhône’s 13 electoral district, 33.99%, and Philippe Meunier (Republican) with 20.81% of votes. Coming to d’Eure-et-Loir first electoral district, again candidate of Armenian origin Guillaume Kasbarian is leading with 37.12% of votes, and the second is Republican candidate Franck Masselus with 22.15% of votes. Jacques Marilossianfrom En Marche!-received most of the votes (48.48%) in 7th electoral district of Hauts-de-Seine Rueil, and Republican Eric Berdoatireceived 27.91% of the votes.
Music: ‘Sayat-Nova’ festival to unite Armenian and Georgian musicians
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday 'Sayat-Nova' festival to unite Armenian and Georgian musicians YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. ‘Sayat-Nova’ festival will be held on June 16 in Tbilisi and will end on June 18 in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. “The aim of the festival is to present the Armenian musical art, our rich heritage to the public and maintain it. The opening ceremony of the festival will be held in Tbilisi’s St. George Church, and it will enable to activate the church’s daily life”, ‘Music of Armenia’ representative Hasmik Movsisyan told reporters on June 12. She said they have selected musicians from various musical ensembles who will perform works of Sayat-Nova and other Armenian ashiks together with Georgian musicians. “We are trying to negotiate also with Georgia’s Ministry of Culture aimed at holding the festival also in Javakheti and other cities of Georgia in future”, Movsisyan said. Georgian Embassy representative in Armenia Nino Aptsiauri said she is very happy that such festival is being held bearing the name of great Armenian poet and ashik Sayat-Nova. According to her, Sayat-Nova is a symbol of Armenian-Georgian unity, and the event can further intensify the mutual relations of the two countries. Armenian and Georgian musicians will take part in the festival. The festival is being held for the 3rd time by the initiative of ‘Music of Armenia’.