Category: 2020

 15:54,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Russia and Turkey agree that the situation in Nagorno Karabakh should not be used for the infiltration of foreign mercenaries to the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference following the talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.

“Our joint opinion is that the situation in Nagorno Karabakh should not be used for the infiltration of foreign mercenaries to that region. We have completely the same position here with our Turkish partners”, the Russian FM said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

 17:08,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan, the head of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) has arrived in parliament where a meeting with the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected.

When asked by reporters about the topic of the upcoming discussion, Tsarukyan replied: “Nothing has changed in BHK’s stance.”

Earlier, the parliament majority leader Lilit Makunts (My Step bloc) had said that the prime minister will probably meet with the leaders of all three factions of parliament.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

 17:26,

YEREVAN, 29 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 December, USD exchange rate down by 0.95 drams to 522.30 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.11 drams to 639.82 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.10 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 5.10 drams to 704.06 drams.

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

Gold price down by 57.27 drams to 31485.62 drams. Silver price down by 0.78 drams to 432.91 drams. Platinum price down by 30.82 drams to 16943.46 drams.

 17:59,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. President of ‘’Prosperous Armenia’’ Party Gagik Tsarukyan told the reporters that he will discuss the conditions for PM Pashinyan’s resignation during the meeting with the latter, ARMENPRESS reports Tsarukyan said at the parliament before the meeting with Pashinyan.

‘’We are going to discuss the conditions for his resignation. Our agenda has not changed’’, Tsarukyan tld the reporters.

Earlier, head of ‘’My step’’ bloc’s parliamentary faction Lilit Makunts had told that she possesses information that a meeting  may take place between PM Nikol Pashinyan and the heads of the 3 parliamentary factions.

 18:16,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. President of Russia Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of the Prime Minister, the message runs as follows,

‘’Honorable Nikol Vovayevich,

Please, accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas.

The passing year was not an easy one and I want to hope that the challenges it brought will remain in the past. It’s important that we became fully convinced in the significance of the friendly and allied relations between our countries.

I am confident that the further development of the multidimensional Armenian-Russian relations is in line with the fundamental interests of our fraternal peoples, and is meant for ensuring peace, security and stability in the Transcaucasian region.

I wish you and your relatives, friends good health and welfare, and happiness and prosperity to all your compatriots’’.

 18:24,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. President of ‘’Prosperous Armenia’’ Party Gagik Tsarukyan told the reporters that during his meeting with PM Pashinyan he told him what he had said in his public speeches, ARMENPRESS reports Tsarukyan said at the National Assembly.

‘’My position has not changed. He wanted to meet, I did not reject and we met. I told him what I have said publicly. I told that his resignation is the only way to overcome this situation’’, Tsarukyan said, adding that the remaining questions should be addressed to PM Pashinyan.

 19:14,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Head of ''Bright Armenia'' Party Edmon Marukyan presented the position of his party to the PM during their meeting at the National Assembly, Marukyan told the reporters after the meeting.

''We suggested that the PM should resign, the parliament should elect a new Prime Minister, an interim Government should be established from the forces that have a consensus over that candidate and individuals that have made achievements in their spheres should be included in the Government'', ARMENPRESS reports Marukyan as saying.

According to him, the domestic political situation should be stabilized and snap elections should be prepared.

 19:29,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime MInister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. ARMENPRESS reports the message runs as follows,

''Honorable Nikol Vovayevich,

I sincerely congratulate you on New Year and Christmas holidays.

During the passing year the Armenian Russian relations, which are based on the principles of friendship, partnership and alliance, dynamically developed. Progress has been made over major joint projects. Integration cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union has been strengthened.

I am convinced that the multidimensional cooperation between Armenia and Russia will continue to strengthen in 2021. I consider it important to ensure effective cooperation in the post-conflict reconstruction of Nagorno Karabakh.

Honorable Nikol Vovayevich, I wish you good health and welfare, and peace and prosperity to all the citizens of fraternal Armenia''.

 20:55,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The EU Delegation to Armenia makes all possible efforts to support Armenia in this difficult situation, ARMENPRESS reports head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin said in her New Year's message.

''We are all approaching the festive period, when we would normally gather with our loved ones, eat delicious food, exchange presents and visit our family and friends.

I believe this time the celebrations will be very different. We are ending this year facing tragic events that affected Armenia and its people very harshly.

Lives, health, economic security were lost during the COVID pandemic that marked the beginning of this year. Lives, health and sense of stability were lost in the Nagorno Karabakh war. My heart is full of sorrow and compassion for those who have lost their loved ones. And it is difficult for me to say this, but we know that hardship is not over yet.

Today there are 90 000 displaced people in Armenia, who will not have a chance to spend the holidays in their homes. There are also 20 000 hosting families who opened their doors and welcomed those who were fleeing the war offering hospitality in difficult times. There are local and international organisations out there helping as they can. As well as there are thousands of health workers, teachers, police officers and others, who are risking their health and lives to save ours during still ongoing pandemic. Their strength and determination deserve more than just admiration. 

Speaking for all of us at the European Union Delegation to Armenia, I can promise you that we are putting every possible effort to support Armenia in this difficult situation.

Since the very start of the pandemic, we have been working hard to mitigate its impact. We teamed up with local organisations to provide food and hygiene parcels to those who could not access basic items, and tablets to children so they could continue learning at home. Together with our Member States, we delivered medical equipment to hospitals; numerous medical professionals from EU Member States arrived to Armenia to assist their Armenian colleagues. We provided small businesses with grants and private sector will receive additional support in 2021. To this date, we provided 35.6 million EUR to the Government of Armenia to help the vulnerable families and businesses.

Together with our Member States, we delivered humanitarian aid to those affected by the Nagorno Karabakh war. The European Commission provided 3.9 million EUR support to the civilians affected by the conflict in the region. We continue our cooperation with local organisations to provide food and hygiene parcels as well as psychosocial support to displaced people from Nagorno Karabakh. At the same time, we know that a lot more needs to be done and we are working hard to support you.

Dear people of Armenia,

Under normal circumstances, I would wish us all a Happy New Year 2021. However, today, let me humbly wish you that the upcoming year be hopeful and peaceful, marked with health and the end of the pandemic.

I would also like to wish you a lot of strength for yourself, for your loved ones and for Armenia. May the better and brighter days come soon'', reads the message.

 21:45,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyan visited the Russian military base in Gyumri on December 29.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MoD Armenia, Vagharshak Harutyunyan got aquainted with the infrastructures of the base, armaments and military equipment.

The Armenian Defense Minister emphasized the role of the Russian military base in Armenia from the perspective of ensuring regional security, spoke about the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership and deepening of allied relations.

Vagharshak Harutyunyan also visited the Orthodox Church of St. Alexandra, located in the territory of the military base, as well as the Museum of Military History, made a note in the guest book of the museum.