Category: 2023

 13:55,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Washington DC “Ani” Chapter organized a community protest marking the 35th anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom, and subsequent pogroms in Kirovabad, Maragha and Baku, and demanding the end of Azerbaijan’s 70-plus day blockade of Artsakh.

The protest took place outside the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Washington, DC.

The AYF Washington DC "Ani" Chapter-led protesters called on US President Joe Biden to stop US aid to Azerbaijan, and to stop a “second Armenian Genocide.”

The demonstrators chanted “Armenia wants peace, Aliyev wants Yerevan”, “We remember Sumgait”.

The protesters also blocked an Azerbaijani electronic billboard truck which was spreading fake information on the so-called “Khojaly genocide”.

In late February 1988, Azerbaijanis began a state-sponsored massacre of the Armenian population in Sumgait, which became known as the Sumgait pogrom.

 14:27,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan held a meeting with the new United States Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien.

Congratulating the new Ambassador, the Speaker expressed confidence that during the implementation of her mission the Armenian-American relations will continue developing and expanding, the parliament’s press service said in a read-out.

Speaker Simonyan noted that the United States plays a key role in the political and economic life of Armenia, and the Armenian-American dialogue is of strategic character.

Speaker Alen Simonyan highlighted the U.S. assistance to the ongoing systemic reforms in Armenia, which promote the development and strengthening of democracy.

The parties also touched upon the situation in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the Azerbaijani aggression, expressing concern about the humanitarian disaster facing the Artsakh Armenians. Speaker Simonyan underscored that in this direction one of the important steps is the decision made by the UN International Court of Justice, which ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the unimpeded movement of vehicles and people through Lachin Corridor under its obligations. He stressed that in the implementation of the decision the United States can play a decisive and weighty role.

Ideas were exchanged over the necessity to increase pressure on Azerbaijan, including possible sanctions by the international community. Concluding his speech, the Speaker noted that Armenia does not have territorial demands towards its neighbors, adopted the path of democracy and continues remaining faithful to the agenda of reaching peace.

 14:28,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s economic activity index grew 10,5% in January 2023 compared to January 2022, according to official data released by the Statistical Committee. However, the index dropped 46,1% compared to December of 2022.

Industrial output grew 1,4% in January 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. Construction grew 12,2%.

Trade turnover increased 17,7% while services increased 25,9% in the reporting period.

The Consumer Price Index grew 8,1%. Meanwhile, the Industrial Product Price Index grew 1,6%.

Electrical energy production dropped 1,5%.

In January 2023, a 93,8% growth was recorded in the foreign trade volumes compared to the same month of last year. Exports grew 2,3 times while imports grew 72,5%.

 15:58,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The latest initiative by TUMO, the TUMO Academy, gives the opportunity to pursue a new profession and gain employment in an innovative educational environment.

TUMO Academy is training a new generation of professionals in design and technology disciplines. During the six-month program, students will be provided with accommodation and a monthly stipend. 

Participants who have completed the first stage will go through a paid hands-on training at the TUMO centers in Kapan, Koghb, and Dilijan. After completing the three-month hands-on training, graduates of the academy will receive a job offer and join the TUMO team as workshop leaders in their chosen learning area.

“We will see the results of the project we are launching today for decades to come,” TUMO Center for Creative Technologies CEO Marie Lou Papazian said at the launch of TUMO Academy. “By expanding our network in Armenia and Artsakh, we seek to provide equally high-quality and advanced education to all young people. Regardless of whether you are a student at the TUMO city center or the TUMO Box of a village, the content and quality of the education you receive must be the same. In order to achieve this goal we need to build a strong team of hundreds of experts, coaches and educators,” she said.

TUMO Academy will provide training for 8 learning areas in its first stage and will go on to cover all 14 of TUMO’s learning areas in the future.

The  is open to anyone who is at least 21 years old.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1105117.html?fbclid=IwAR21TiuLcR0w8GYkVM_ifv-wRxZY8ApQUWfrv1Dj-s3g8zYrA5_YP62tIsM

 16:17,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan met with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Geneva within the framework of the high-level meeting of the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. 

The foreign ministers discussed issues related to bilateral and multilateral partnership, the Armenian foreign ministry said in a read-out. Both sides were pleased to note the high level political dialogue between Armenia and Iran.

Joint actions for the further development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including in the sectors of energy, transport and infrastructures were highlighted.

Ideas were exchanged around issues of security and stability in the region.

Speaking about the grave humanitarian situation resulting from the blockade of Lachin corridor, FM Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that it is imperative that Azerbaijan immediately stops the blockade of Nagorno Karabakh without preconditions in accordance with the terms of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement.

The implementation of the ICJ ruling was also underscored.

FM Mirzoyan presented the latest developments in the Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement process.

The United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. The Lachin Corridor is blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022. Azerbaijan hasn’t yet complied with the order.

 16:30,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Iran’s relations with Armenia are historical and in line with the interests of the entire region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said during a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Geneva, IRNA reports.

“We’ve numerously said that the good relations between Tehran and Yerevan aren’t detrimental to any country. We support the development of communication between all countries in the Caucasian region, however being against any geopolitical change in the region is our fundamental policy,” the Iranian FM added.

FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian added that Armenia and Iran have big potential for development of relations especially in the economic sector.

The foreign ministers discussed issues related to bilateral and multilateral partnership, the Armenian foreign ministry said in a .

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1105122.html?fbclid=IwAR3rDle38LdhWc7iobYWheZCh-MQs1URAykw-SyvEle_gcQ70tnz2jcM_qQ

 16:47,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with the delegation led by Djuna Bernard, the Vice President of the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies/Vice Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg. 

The Prime Minister attached importance to the continual development of the Armenia-Luxembourg relations and was pleased to note the high level of bilateral political cooperation, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a read-out.

At the same time, PM Pashinyan stressed the need to develop economic partnership. The Armenian Prime Minister also underscored the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation, including in international platforms.

The processes taking place in the South Caucasus region and the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan were also discussed.

Both sides stressed the importance of the continual and consistent reaction by the international community. In this regard, the two resolutions and assessments by the European Parliament regarding Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia and the blockade of the Lachin corridor were highlighted.

Planned programs for developing and strengthening democracy in Armenia were also discussed.

 17:18,

YEREVAN, 27 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 27 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.36 drams to 389.06 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.16 drams to 411.12 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 5.18 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.60 drams to 466.02 drams.

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

Gold price down by 210.02 drams to 22652.39 drams. Silver price down by 5.62 drams to 263.81 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

 17:27,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan held a meeting with the new United States Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien.

The Vice Speaker congratulated the Ambassador on taking office and expressed certainty that her work will contribute to the deepening of the Armenian-American cooperation.

Issues related to the bilateral collegial and friendly relations were discussed, the parliament’s press service said in a read-out. It was mentioned that the inter-parliamentary cooperation format has an important place in the Armenian-American relations.

Presenting the situation in the region, Rubinyan said that it is imperative that Azerbaijan stops its illegal blockade of Lachin corridor and that Azerbaijan’s aggressive and belligerent policy must be restrained.

The Ambassador valued the deepening of the Armenian-American cooperation and  establishment of peace in the region.

Ideas were exchanged around the Armenia-Turkey normalization process.