Category: 2023

 11:38, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Russia intends to block European Union countries from hosting next year's UN international climate negotiations, according to internal emails seen by Reuters, a potential setback for EU-member Bulgaria's competition with Armenia and Azerbaijan to draw the COP29.

Armenia and Bulgaria had put themselves forward to host the summit.

Azerbaijan added its name to the running this week.

Rights to host the gatherings rotate between the United Nations' five global regions, with Eastern Europe hosting in 2024. The 23 countries in that region must select their host candidate unanimously. If Russia vetoed all EU countries, then Armenia or Azerbaijan could still be in the running, Reuters reported.

Russia's delegation to the UN climate body (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC) sent an email to other Eastern European country representatives in April in which it said it would not support an EU host.

 12:47, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Amanda Freitag, a famous American chef, and star of the Chopped cooking TV show, visited to Armenia on June 1-6 as part of the joint initiative of the Culinary Diplomacy Project and the US Embassy. The Diplomacy Project aimed to promote a sustainable food value chain and culinary entrepreneurship. On June 2, during her visit, the famous chef was hosted by the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality of Yeremyan Projects and shared her experience and skills with the students.

Armenia's appeal as a gastronomic hub and the uniqueness of Armenian cuisine and products sparked Freitag's interest, which served as key motivations for her visit to the country.

"Passing on the knowledge and experience I've gained from my teachers is important to me. That's why I'm here in Armenia, to share my expertise globally. I'm captivated by the operations of this new culinary academy and the cooking practices here. The fresh, simple Armenian food and bread-baking culture have really impressed me. Local dishes are incredibly delicious. I believe New York needs a restaurant showcasing Armenian cuisine," stated Amanda Freitag.

Freitag had a meeting with Davit Yeremyan, the Founder of Yeremyan Projects. She got an in-depth look at the Academy's state-of-the-art classrooms, kitchen facilities, and educational offerings. Yeremyan, acknowledging the importance of such ventures, stressed that the Academy was founded to foster knowledgeable ambassadors for Armenian cuisine—one of the world's oldest.

"We founded the Academy in 2019 having a vision to educate a new generation of chefs who could rise to international standards. In pursuit of this goal, we carried out extensive research into global practices, carefully considering various factors before selecting the British model. Our educational programs bear the certification of Activate Learning Group, City of Oxford College, UK. Our alumni are not just competitive in the domestic market, but also make their mark in international spheres. Alongside their culinary education, students enhance their proficiency in English, apply their learning in practical environments, and seize numerous training opportunities actively."

Davit Yeremyan noted that the institution had 1500 graduates in the last four years. Some graduates work in different countries, including the USA and Europe. Twenty percent of the graduates work in the restaurants of Yeremyan Projects.

Amanda Freitag organized a competition for the future chefs of Armenia studying at Yeremyan Academy, following the format of the renowned American cooking show Chopped. Amanda gave the contestants baskets of food with mystery ingredients, challenging them to prepare an appetizer, main course, and dessert using the basket's contents. She was very impressed by the enthusiasm and creative approaches of the participants.

Along with Amanda Freitag Karen Khachatryan, the head of the "Culinary Art" educational programs of the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality of Yeremyan Projects, the chef of Renommée restaurant, evaluated the teams' work. The participants were awarded certificates.

The meeting with the world-famous chef and the chance to get her professional advice was a unique experience for the students of the Academy. They were very enthusiastic about that experience, so they spared no effort to show all their skills and creative potential.

A series of cooking demonstrations, master classes, and workshops with Armenian chefs and food entrepreneurs were carried out as part of Armenian visit of the famous American chef Amanda Freitag.

 12:23, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia exported goods worth 2 billion 158 million 463,4 thousand dollars in January-April of 2023 – a 2,1-fold growth compared to the same period of 2022. Most of the exports went to Russia, according to official statistics.

Precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and related items comprised most of the exported goods.

In the reporting period the exports to fellow EEU member states stood at 1 billion 109 million 873,2 thousand dollars, increasing 3,8 times compared to 2022, while exports to EU countries comprised 234 million 989,7 thousand dollars, dropping 9,5%.

Most of the exports – 1 billion 64 million 44,8 thousand dollars worth – were shipped to Russia, a growth of 3,8 times compared to January-April 2022, according to the Statistical Committee data. The second top export destination for Armenian goods in the reporting period was the United Arab Emirates – with 372 million 641,8 thousand dollars (8,9-fold increase). China is third top destination with 135 million 017,4 thousand dollars – a growth of 20,1%.

Armenian exports to neighboring Georgia and Iran also increased. Exports to Georgia (51 million 502,1 thousand dollars) grew 46,1% while exports to Iran (35 million 630,2 thousand dollars) grew 5,9%.

The data shows a massive, 183,1-fold growth of exports (347,8 thousand dollars) to Romania.

Exports to the Republic of Korea grew 78 times, comprising 9 million 764,8 thousand dollars.

Exports to France totaled 2 million 883,9 thousand dollars – a 98,5% growth.

Most of the exported goods (508 million 61.2 thousand dollars) comprised precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and goods made of precious and semi-precious stones and precious metals.

The second top exported goods in the reporting period were vehicles, equipment and mechanisms (368 million 439,8 thousand dollars, 15-fold growth).

Food was the third top exported product (269 million 987,9 thousand dollars, 43,6% growth).

 13:12, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. A bomb exploded Thursday in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province during a memorial ceremony for a deputy governor who was killed in another blast two days earlier, Associated Press reported citing a Taliban official.

The latest explosion occurred near Nabawi mosque during a funeral for Mawlavi Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, the deputy governor of Badakhshan. He was killed by a car bomb on Tuesday alongside of his driver in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan.

Moazuddin Ahmadi, the provincial director of information and culture, confirmed the explosion but couldn't provide other detail. He said there are casualties and an investigation is ongoing.

Local media reports said at least 16 people were killed in the blast.

 13:43, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. United States Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien has visited the Syunik Province, the United States Embassy said on social media.

“During her visit to Syunik province, Ambassador Kvien met with local officials, civil society, and residents who shared their pervasive security concerns. The Ambassador also traveled to Tegh where she observed first-hand the tense situation at the border. Everyone deserves the safety and security a just and durable peace would bring,” the United States embassy said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

 13:36, 8 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan and members of his delegation have met with Drew Hendry, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom representing the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Hendry is the SNP Foreign Affairs Spokesperson in the House of Commons.

Regional challenges, post-war issues and consequences were discussed at the meeting, the Armenian parliament’s press service said in a readout.

Speaking about the ongoing Azerbaijani military aggression, the Armenian legislators presented the consequences of the Lachin crisis and spoke about the need to protect the rights of the Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. In this context, the support and targeted statements by international partners were highlighted.

Armenia attaches importance to decentralized cooperation with the UK, the Armenian legislators said.

“The cooperation on the level of local self government supplements interstate relations, and in this context the experience of the UK is highly important for us. In this regard, we ask you to consider the possibility of partnership between Armenia’s local self governing entities and Scotland,” Simonyan said.

 17:11, 7 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. The reconstruction of the new lanes in the Upper Lars checkpoint will be completed on June 15, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“Yesterday I met with Russian Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelev, we discussed issues in detail, including the issues of reconstructing the Upper Lars checkpoint, he promised that all works will be completed by June 15. As I understand it’s about the construction of an additional four lanes,” Mishustin said.

The checkpoint will have a total of 39 lanes, 15 of which designed for cargo vehicles.

The daily clearance capacity will increase as a result.

PM Pashinyan thanked the Russian PM, and added: “I know that whenever you promise something it gets done, and I am very happy for that. Thank you very much.”

 17:16, 7 June 2023

YEREVAN, 7 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 7 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.29 drams to 386.75 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.20 drams to 414.33 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 4.75 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.95 drams to 481.50 drams.

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

Gold price down by 48.12 drams to 24337.03 drams. Silver price up by 1.90 drams to 294.01 drams.

 17:25, 7 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. Russia appreciates brotherly relations with Armenia which are of strategic and allied nature, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“We sincerely appreciate our brotherly relations, they bear a strategic and allied nature. Today, the trade-economic and investment cooperation of Russia and Armenia is actively, dynamically developing, despite the illegal economic sanctions imposed by a number of unfriendly countries,” Mishustin said, adding that trade between Armenia and Russia grew 96% in January-April and stood at 140 billion rubles.

“Certainly it is important to maintain this positive dynamics and achieve new record figures in mutual trade,” he said, mentioning that over 4,5 thousand Russian companies work in Armenia, and the Russian investments generate 46% of the total volume of foreign investments in Armenia’s economy.

Mishustin called for increasing the volume of trade and investments.

He said that Russia is interested in launching new projects in energy, mining, digitization and agro-industry, as well as e-governance, smart and safe cities, transportation and other areas.

The Russian PM also spoke about the unblocking of transport connections in South Caucasus.

“In accordance with the agreements of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, we are carrying out coordinated work in the direction of unblocking of economic and transport routes in South Caucasus. The creation of new infrastructure routes is in line with the interests of all countries in the region.”

 18:11, 7 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan took part in the narrow-format session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Sochi, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Ministers of the Eurasian Economic Union member states discussed a number of topical issues related to Eurasian integration. In particular, issues related to the operation of the EAEU internal market, cooperation in various fields were addressed.

The expanded-format session of the Intergovernmental Council will take place on June 8.