16:32,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The EU monitoring mission did not have access to the area where Azerbaijan’s latest aggression took place in Syunik province, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan has said.

He said that Russian border guards have presence in that area, but they failed to prevent the Azeri aggression.

“When the latest incident took place in Nerkin Hand, the EU monitoring mission didn’t have access there, unlike the Russians, and Russia itself is present there, and it couldn’t prevent the incident,” Grigoryan told reporters.

He said that EUMA definitely has stabilizing role in the region and Armenia fully supports the mission.

He said he is aware that Russian border guards have prevented EU monitors from entering Nerkin Hand, and that he has already addressed the matter.

4 Armenian soldiers were killed and another wounded on February 13 when Azeri forces opened fire at an Armenian military post near Nerkin Hand, Syunik.

 16:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Azerbaijan plan to hold new meetings on the level of foreign ministers and deputy prime ministers, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan has said.

He said that the peace treaty remains a priority for Armenia.

Speaking at a press briefing, Grigoryan said the agreement on the new meetings was reached in Munich after PM Pashinyan and Azeri President Aliyev’s meeting. “The issue is being discussed, but at this moment there is no clear information on the date and location of the meeting,” he said.

Armenia remains committed to the peace agenda and will consistently advance it, Grigoryan added.

 16:52,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is implementing its mandate and accusations of carrying out any other activities are baseless, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos said when asked to comment on the Azerbaijani foreign ministry’s statement on EUMA.

“Our mission has a very clearly defined mandate. It is deployed on the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan, and is exclusively engaged in what is outlined in its mandate, to ensure its presence, to carry out patrols, with the goal of helping to ensure peace in the region. This is what we’ve always been doing. Any other accusation or slander on engaging in any other activities are absolutely baseless,” he said when asked by Armenpress to comment. 

Maragos added that all EU member states support the mission. “We are resolutely aiming for strengthening peace and stability in the region,” the EU ambassador said.

On 12 February 2024 the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Peter Michalko, was summoned to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Azerbaijani foreign ministry accused EUMA of being exploited as an “anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool,” and becoming an agent of "binoculars diplomacy.”

 17:08,

YEREVAN, 21 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 21 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.13 drams to 404.34 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.22 drams to 436.65 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 4.37 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.24 drams to 510.24 drams.

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

Gold price up by 148.22 drams to 26377.96 drams. Silver price down by 0.42 drams to 299.78 drams.

 17:49,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in France on a two-day working visit with his wife Anna Hakobyan.

Today, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, the PM's office said.

According to the source, in the evening, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of France, together with Anna Hakobyan and Brigitte Macron, will be present at the Paris Pantheon for the relocation of the remains of Armenian hero of the Resistance Movement, Missak Manouchian, and his wife Mélinée Manouchian in the pantheon of the greatest figures of France.

It is noted that today, Nikol Pashinyan will also have a meeting with the President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher.

Meetings with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo are planned as part of the visit.

 18:04,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and the European Union are exploring options for cooperation in the field of security.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos said at the press conference organized on the occasion of the first anniversary of the EU Mission in Armenia, addressing the issue of the expansion of Armenia-EU relations.

"We are now working on a new agenda for Armenia-EU partnership. The Council of the European Union has asked the European Commission and the High Representative to develop options for further enhancing Armenia-EU relations in all directions. We are talking about the ongoing process, it concerns both sides," said Maragos.

The EU ambassador said that they are discussing what the wish of Armenian citizens in this regard. He highly praised the partnership based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

"We are a very important partner in many reforms for Armenia. We are also exploring options to collaborate in the security field. We are specifically discussing the possibility of Armenia's participation in the European Peace Facility," said the Ambassador.

He said that after the development of the agenda is completed, Armenia and the EU will be able to issue a statement. Maragos emphasized that the EU should address the ambitions of the Armenian people.

 18:52,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS.  The work towards liberalization of EU visas for Armenia will continue, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos said at the press conference organized on the occasion of the first anniversary of the EU Mission in Armenia.

"We are firmly committed to resolving this issue. It is necessary that all member states support it so that we can move forward. We understand that the liberalization of visas is a priority for the Armenian authorities and citizens of Armenia," said Maragos.

The Ambassador noted that last week EU High Representative Borell and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Brussels  launched a new initiative to promote a new partnership agenda.

"This issue is being considered within the same context. Work in this direction will continue. However, we need to ensure that all the member states are in agreement on this matter," he said.

 18:55,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan, has underscored the contribution of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia both in strengthening bilateral relations with the European Union and in promoting regional stability.

''While we look into prospects of further deepening Armenia-EU partnership & more ambitious agenda, happy to mark 1st anniversary of the EU Mission in Armenia.

We appreciate mutually beneficial cooperation & contribution of the mission both to enhancing bilateral ties & promoting stability in South Caucasus,’’ Armenian Foreign Minister said in a post on X on the occasion of the  first anniversary of the EU Mission in Armenia.

 20:58,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron, during a joint meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for media representatives, called on Azerbaijan to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice on November 17, 2023, according to which Azerbaijan must ensure the safe and unimpeded return of those who left Nagorno-Karabakh after September 9, 2023, and wish to return.

"We call for the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice on November 17, 2023. According to this decision, Azerbaijan must ensure that those who left Nagorno-Karabakh after September 19, 2023, and wish to return, can do so safely, unimpeded and expeditious manner," Macron said.

 20:26,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS.  France will continue to support efforts aimed at a just and stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France is convinced that this can only be achieved if international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders are respected.

French President Emmanuel Macron said this during a joint statement with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for media representatives.

"I want to reiterate once again that you can count on France's support for Armenia, its independence, territorial integrity, democratic process and its aspirations for peace.

Our meeting will allow us to discuss negotiations aimed at regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The recent incidents in Syunik prove that the danger of escalation remains real.

France will continue to support efforts aimed at a just and stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. France is convinced that this can only be achieved if international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders are respected,'' he said.

He noted that during the meeting held in Prague in 2022, the Armenian Prime Minister reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to the Alma-Ata Declaration and it is necessary for Azerbaijan to resolve the ambiguity regarding the territorial integrity and maps of the Republic of Armenia.

According to Macron, this is necessary in order to carry out work on the delimitation and demarcation of borders, which will serve as the basis for bilateral withdrawal from the border.