Category: 2023

 09:33,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. On May 22-23, Under Secretary of State for Europe of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Leo Docherty will pay a visit to Armenia, the foreign ministry announced Monday.  

The meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and Leo Docherty will take place on May 22 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. It will be followed by a joint press conference.

 09:00,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Authorities are offering importers and exporters an alternative to the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border for shipping goods to and from Russia.

Throughout the year, bad weather conditions prompt indefinite shutdowns of the Upper Lars checkpoint due to safety precautions, given its location in a canyon. As a result, the subsequent traffic congestion impacts freight forwarders and shippers, with businesses losing time and money.

Authorities had been working on an alternative for a long time – sea shipping through a port in Georgia. The goods will be shipped by land from Armenia to the Batumi port, and then to Novorossiysk by sea – or the other way around. 

The goal is to make logistic infrastructures for shipments from or to Armenia more accessible, reduce logistical obstacles and expenses.

C&M International, a shipping company selected by the Armenian government as an operator, has been organizing the sea shipment for Armenian importers and exporters in the Novorossiysk-Batumi roundtrip direction in the Black Sea since April.

The shipments will be carried out through government subsidy, offering affordable options. 

“As of today, our ship can carry 350 containers,” C&M International Director Davit Iloyan told ARMENPRESS, adding that they’ve already operated the route twice.

“We plan to operate regular shipments once a week from Novorossiysk to Batumi and in the opposite direction,” he added, noting that they are able to increase the shipments as much as necessary in case of growing demand. “What matters now is to operate regular, stable shipment once a week.”

Many businesses will benefit from using this method of shipment, Iloyan said. The cargo reaches its destination within 20 to 24 hours with no problems on the way, and the businesses don’t have to worry about delays.

“We are able to guarantee stable timeframes and stable prices for the shipments, something which isn’t possible in many cases during shipments by land. The capacity of Upper Lars isn’t sufficient in case of large flows and it constantly leads to problems, such as exporters and importers being unable to deliver the goods to their partners in time. No such problems will happen in case of sea shipping. We used to have only one road, the Upper Lars, but now we already have the second route,” the C&M International director said, adding that their operations will reduce the overload of Upper Lars checkpoint, and as a result tourists will also move a lot easier.

Iloyan said his company will offer a stable price for a year. The state plans to subsidize the cost in order for businesses to pay less for the shipment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy had organized an introductory meeting between businesses and representatives of C&M International.

Anna Gziryan

 10:32,

Yerevan, May 22, ARMENPRESS. "Ser Artsakh" will continue to support Artsakh newborns under the blockade, giving each newborn its first gift box.

In an interview with Armenpress, Armenian-American author, philanthropist, lawyer, president of the "Anna Astvatsaturian" Foundation and founder of the "Ser Artsakh" Initiative, Anna Astsvataturian  Turcotte stated that her Foundation continues to deliver the gift boxes through representatives of the Republic of Artsakh and the Red Cross.

"On June 1, 2022, International Children's Day, we launched the "Ser Artsakh" Initiative based on the desire to support and protect the children born in Artsakh after the 44-day Artsakh war in 2020. It was extremely important for me to nurture the children born in families who chose to live in Artsakh. And today, almost a year later, I can say that we were able to gift 1553 boxes full of vital essentials for mother and babies to every newborn in Artsakh," she said.

Anna Astvatsaturian emphasized that she had previously decided to implement the program for one year, but since Artsakh is under the blockade at the moment, and the need for this help is more than ever, she decided to continue delivering aid until December, or as long as they can deliver to Artsakh.

When brainstorming the initiative in early 2021 it was important for Anna to include items either made in Armenia or Artsakh or purchased there.  This was a way to support the local economy and  promote domestic products. "One of my very good friends in Artsakh, who makes wooden toys, agreed to make the wooden toy bird, which has become the symbol of the project," she added.

"Before the project started, we were looking for Armenian-made clothes, toys, and care items for months. And of course, we found high-quality items of Armenian production, which we included in the gift boxes. There were some things that were not produced in Armenia, for example, diapers or thermometers. That was unfortunate, but we purchased these in Armenia for the Artsakh babies to support the Armenian economy and the Armenian businesses.

Anna Astvatsaturian said during the conversation that at the time they were finalizing the idea for this project and deciding which products to include in the boxes, many people asked her why she was focusing on the best and highest quality products instead of just mere quantity. It was hard for people who had not seen the refugee path to understand the emotional nuances. “I was a refugee once too and wore second-hand clothes and my brother played with old worn-out toys. I remember the feeling that came with that very well. It is a second layer of trauma. To me this project is not a donation but a gift because Artsakh families deserve the best and we should honor them for being so strong.” she said

Astvataturian mentioned that this program is an opportunity for her not only to support Artsakh and the economy of Armenia, but also to connect the Diaspora to Artsakh with their donations. “For me, the most important thing was not giving support but to show the Diaspora that people live and continue to be born in Artsakh. And to show the people of Artsakh that the Diaspora is still worried about them. The most important thing was emotional support, showing them our attention, and providing  these rare moments of joy with so much stress and pain around them daily. “- she added

When speaking about new projects, Anna Astvataturian said that she plans to meet and talk with the leadership of the Syunik region in order to discuss the idea of implementing a similar project there as well, under the title "Ser Syunik".

"It is very important for me that people stay in Syunik and have many children there. It is also important for me to ensure they know we remember them.   I hope that this assistance will last, because this is an opportunity for people to continue to stay in Artsakh and Syunik.

“At the moment, the situation in Artsakh is quite difficult and the Diaspora is very concerned about this issue, and I have come to talk to people on the ground and understand the situation," said Anna Astvatsaturian.

She mentioned that the project requires quite a lot of resources because each box costs around $105 and any support is very important for the Foundation. Anyone can support the Initiative by visiting www.astvatsaturian.org.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte is an American-Armenian writer, philanthropist, lawyer, elected official, president of the Westbrook City council and the president of the "Anna Astvatsaturian'' foundation. Anna also is an author of a book "Nowhere, a Story of Exile, 2012"based on her diaries which she wrote as an 11 year old child escaping the Baku massacres. In 2013 Anna spearheaded a successful recognition of Artsakh at the state of Maine legislature. Since thenAstvatsaturian Turcotte has implemented a number of charitable programs in Armenia and Artsakh. In 2020 she founded the Anna Astvatsaturian Charitable Foundation. One of the fund's major projects is the "Artsakh War 2020: Losses, Challenges – Opportunities for resistance development'' survey conducted after the 44-day war.

 10:56,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will visit Russia on May 23-25 at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Nikolay Patrushev.

In Moscow, Grigoryan will participate in the 11^th International Meeting of High Representatives Coordinating Security Affairs, Grigoryan’s office said in a statement.

 11:38,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. During his first visit to Armenia this week (22-23 May), the UK’s Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, will urge for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh as negotiations continue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the British Embassy in Armenia said in a press release.

He will call on both sides to continue substantive negotiations to resolve all outstanding tensions – including the closure of Lachin Corridor – in a peaceful and sustainable way.  

He will also say that immediate action needs to be taken to restore the flow of goods and people into Nagorno-Karabakh.  

Ahead of the visit, Minister Docherty said:    

“The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is affecting thousands of people, and while we are supporting humanitarian efforts, the only way this will end is through both sides continuing to engage fully in good faith negotiations.  

“The UK is committed to supporting Armenia’s democratic and economic reform agenda. I am proud that the UK is funding programmes to protect freedoms and boost prosperity.”   

"While in Yerevan, Minister Docherty will reiterate the UK’s long-standing support for Armenia’s democratic and economic development. During meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, he will also discuss security, defence and the strengthening of trade relations.  

"He will announce the launch of a Strategic Dialogue that will take place between the two countries later this year as well as underline a desire to sign a Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership, an agreement which will enhance our countries economic relationship. 

"In addition, Minister Docherty will meet Members of Parliament and the Minister of Economy. He will also visit representatives from across civil society and business, including companies with ties to the UK. The Minister will discuss opportunities to strengthen the UK-Armenia trading relationship and grow both of our economies. 

"Minister Docherty will visit a Research and Training Centre at the Armenian Parliament and a project developing the textiles industry. They are both part of the UK’s programme to support Armenia. The UK funded programmes worth nearly £4 million supporting Armenia’s democratic and economic reform agenda in 2022.  

"As well as contributing to humanitarian efforts related to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, UK funding is also supporting Armenia’s efforts towards green transition; tackling disinformation by promoting media self-regulation and effective cooperation with the state authorities in regulating the sphere; promoting conflict resolution through facilitation of dialogue, enabling healthy debate and promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda," the embassy said.

 12:17,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia hopes to swiftly reach an agreement with Azerbaijan and sign a treaty on establishing peace and relations, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference on May 22.

“The military-political situation in our republic remains tense. The Government of Armenia finds advancing of the peace agenda to be the primary method of overcoming this tension. Intensive negotiations are underway with Azerbaijan around the treaty on establishing peace and relations, and we hope to reach an agreement on the text as soon as possible and sign it,” Pashinyan said.

PM Pashinyan added that the perception by the international community is getting inclined more and more towards the formula that Armenia and Azerbaijan should recognize each other’s territorial integrity without reservations – 29,800 square kilometers and 86,600 square kilometers respectively – and dialogue should take place between Stepanakert and Baku around ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenia agrees to this logic and is engaged in the talks with this logic, emphasizing that international mechanisms for guaranteeing dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku are extremely important.

“At the same time, I am convinced that peace is the strategic guarantee for ensuring Armenia’s security, which is possible through normalizing relations with all neighbors. This isn’t an easy process at all, but I believe it is what our people want and expect,” Pashinyan added.

 12:45,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. The 1975 map of the USSR military’s General Staff could and should serve as the basis for delimitation with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at a May 22 press conference when asked on the process.

PM Pashinyan said that Armenia reiterates Russia’s stance that the delimitation process should be conducted based on the 1975 maps of the USSR General Staff, and, according to PM Pashinyan, a reciprocal withdrawal of forces from the border recorded by these maps would ensure stability on the border.

“I must gladly note that we are already seeing this issue recorded by the international community, which is rather important and commendable. I can’t note a movement of stance by  Azerbaijan in this regard, but at the same time I will emphasize that ensuring border security is an important part of the negotiations process. It is no secret that Azerbaijan continues to engage in a policy of military pressure in an attempt to gain more beneficial conditions in the talks through military pressure, but at the same time I have to note that this constitutes a violation of an internationally assumed obligation, because under the statement adopted during the 31 October 2022 Sochi meeting the parties agreed and assumed obligation to avoid from the use of force or threat of force. We must continue our work,” PM Pashinyan said.

The reciprocal withdrawal of forces doesn’t predetermine the delimitation work, Pashinyan said, adding that the process would simply ensure stability.

“I believe that the 1975 map could and should be the basis for future delimitation works as well, because this is what the 6 October 2022 agreements in Prague imply regarding delimitation based on the Almaty Declaration,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

 12:50,

YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has commented on the attempted kidnapping of his son and the protests which were sparked by the jailing of the suspect, who is the mother of a fallen soldier.

Pashinyan said he hasn’t asked his son to reverse his report.

“I wasn’t in Armenia when the incident happened,” Pashinyan said when asked by reporters on whether or not he’s asked his son to reverse his complaint in court.

“Before returning, I saw that legal procedures had already begun. When I was speaking with [my son], he was saying, ‘isn’t this all about issues having to be resolved lawfully in Armenia’? Now how should I respond to his?” the Armenian Premier said.

“[My son] told me, ‘I thought this was the entire purpose and goal of your political activities’. After that, I don’t have any argument to ask him [to reverse] [the complaint].”

PM Pashinyan said that everyone must realize that all issues must be resolved lawfully in Armenia.