Category: 2020

 16:25,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reacted to the shooting in a business center in Yerevan on January 23.

“Any manifestation of violence, for any reason or grounds, is inadmissible. No to violence! Violence-free Armenia!” he said on Facebook.

A shooter opened gunfire inside the Erebuni Plaza Business Center on January 23. No injuries were reported. The suspect surrendered his firearm and was apprehended.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 16:21,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The Netherlands attaches importance to the ongoing changes and anti-corruption fight in Armenia, Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok said during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Yerevan.

“It’s an interesting period for visiting your country. I welcome the process of fighting corruption, as well as the ongoing reforms. We are inclined to deepen our bilateral relations with Armenia. The Embassy of the Netherlands will open in Yerevan. This is a key step in terms of further expanding our relations with Armenia”, the Dutch FM said, adding that now the two countries need to focus on the actions of the future.

He highlighted the economic cooperation in the bilateral relations, adding that he had meetings with a number of businessmen who also operate in Armenia. Stef Blok said he is impressed with Armenia’s progress in the field of high technologies. The minister said there is a great potential in terms of cooperation in the agriculture sector as the Netherlands has a serious progress in this sphere and can share its experience especially in the management of greenhouses.

Touching upon the visa liberalization process, the Dutch FM said this is a European process, the EU should approve and assess the progress made in Armenia.

The Dutch FM also highlighted the ongoing actions in the protection of human rights, again stating that the Netherlands is ready to share its experience in this regard.

In his turn the Armenian FM added that the agenda of human rights is one of the key directions for Armenia in all domains.

“I mean in the international relations, in international engagement. You know that currently we are a member of the Human Rights Council, moreover we are cooperating with various organizations where human rights are a priority, for instance the Council of Europe. We have a key agenda with the EU, in the UN in this sphere. I also want to add that during these years we have formed a good cooperation with the Netherlands. I would like to highlight the constant support of the Netherlands”, the Armenian foreign minister said.

Reported by Anna Gziryan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

Russian PM awards EEC Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan with Stolypin Medal 1st Class

 16:38,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin signed an order on awarding Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan with the Stolypin Medal 1st Class.

Tigran Sargsyan was awarded for his investment in the development and strengthening of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 16:42,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The suspect who opened gunfire at the Erebuni Business Center in Yerevan has been apprehended and taken into custody, police said.

“At 14:00 police received a call that there is an active shooter in Erebuni Plaza. Top police officers and tactical units were immediately dispatched to the scene”, police said.

According to police, the suspect – a man whose identity hasn’t been disclosed yet – surrendered after Chief of Police Arman Sargsyan conducted negotiations with him.

Sargsyan personally escorted the suspect to the police station with his vehicle.

No one was injured in the incident.

The circumstances are being determined, police said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 18:18,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received on January 23 the delegations led by Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok, who is in Armenia on an official visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the visit of Stef Blok to Armenia and expressed confidence that it will give a new impetus to the development and expansion of the relations between the two countries. Highlighting the organization of high-level visits, the PM added that this year he also plans an official visit to the Netherlands, which will be the 1^st visit of the leader of Armenia to that country since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to Nikol Pashinyan, the Government of Armenia highlights bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, as well as the humanitarian sphere.

PM Pashinyan talked about the development of democracy in Armenia, struggle against corruption and reforms in the judicial and other spheres and emphasized that the Government of Armenia has set an ambitious agenda in the mentioned directions and makes consistent steps to bring it to life.

Nikol Pashinyan saluted the ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU by the parliament of the Netherlands.

Thanking for the warm reception, Stef Blok noted that the democratic developments and reforms in Armenia are obvious and emphasized that the Government of his country is ready to cooperate with Armenia for bringing them to life. The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands noted that there are opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly in the spheres of agriculture and IT. Stef Blok expressed confidence that Pashinyan’s visit to the Netherlands will promote the bilateral agenda between the two countries.

The sides also exchanged views on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process and other regional issues.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan