Armenia, Iran could soon enhance energy swap deal

 16:35,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan doesn’t rule out that Armenia and Iran could soon increase the volumes of the gas for electricity swap deal. 

The gas for electricity agreement between Armenia and Iran has been extended until 2030 and enables Armenia to import greater volumes of natural gas and export more electricity.

“I believe that in terms of the legal documentation we have implemented the important phase and soon, as required, according to needs and also infrastructures, we will be able to use that opportunity. New power transmission lines are under construction in order to be able to export greater volumes of electricity to Iran. Both sides have the desire to increase the volumes, and the changes will be visible in various stages,” Sanosyan told Armenpress.

The minister also spoke about the involvement of Iranian companies in construction projects in Armenia. He said that the bigger the project the harder it is to find contractors.

Iran, having highly developed construction firms and being Armenia’s neighbor, can have participation in construction programs in Armenia, and it has done so in some cases.

“I think this is a mutually beneficial process. We need a construction company, and they have the corresponding construction company, we are neighbors geographically, and it is easy to involve them in this work,” Sanosyan said.

The minister confirmed that Iran is interested in the reservoir construction projects in Armenia.

Armenia plans to built 15 new reservoirs and 3 projects will soon be put for bidding.

An Iranian company that won the tender to construct the Kajaran-Agarak section of the North-South road is now transporting equipment and will launch the construction soon.




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 12-02-24

 17:19,

YEREVAN, 12 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 February, USD exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 404.53 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.50 drams to 435.96 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 4.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.71 drams to 510.60 drams.

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

Gold price down by 68.28 drams to 26317.52 drams. Silver price up by 3.95 drams to 294.65 drams.

Prime Minister receives the chairman of the EEC Board

 17:19,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the PM's Office said in a readout.

The Prime Minister once again congratulated Mr. Sagintayev on the occasion of assuming the new position and wished him productive activities.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the priorities and programs of the Armenian presidency in the Eurasian Economic Union. The sides exchanged thoughts on topics related to cooperation and economic development within the EAEU framework.

Reference was also made to Armenian Government’s "Crossroads of Peace" project.

Armen Yeganyan appointed Armenia’s Ambassdor to Colombia

 18:45,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. At the proposal of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree on appointing Armen Yeganyan concurrently as the Ambassador of Armenia to Colombia, the presidency said.

Yeganian is already serving as Ambassador of Armenia to Brazil.

His respective diplomatic residence will continue to be in Brasília , the capital of Brazil.

Defense Ministry investigates alleged opening of fire by Armenian guards on Kapan- Zangelan section

 19:06,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. The information disseminated by the Azerbaijani media regarding the alleged  opening of fire by the Armenian guards on the Kapan-Zangelan section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border on February 12 is being investigated, the Ministry of Defense said.

"Written orders from the superior command clearly define the circumstances under which a serviceman, assessing the situation, can and/or is obliged to make a decision to open fire. According to preliminary information, such a situation did not occur in this area on February 12. If this is confirmed, those responsible for violating the order will be held accountable," the ministry added.

Permanent Representative of Armenia presented the letter of credence to Secretary General of the organization of BSEC

 19:51,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. On January 12 in Istanbul the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Nairi Petrossian presented the letter of credence to the Secretary General of the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) Lazăr Comănescu, the foreign ministry said.

According to the readout issued by the ministry, the interlocutors highly appreciated the effective partnership established between the PERMIS and Armenia, as well as underlined Armenia’s constructive engagement with the Organization.

Nairi Petrossian reiterated Armenia’s commitment to continue active participation in the multifaceted cooperation within the Organization. He emphasized that peace, regional cooperation and economic development are the most important priorities of the Government of Armenia, and the “Crossroads of Peace” project developed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia aims to consolidate foundations towards the achievement of those priorities.

It is noted that the sides also underlined the importance of the BSEC as a platform for regional dialogue. In this context they also touched upon the preparatory works for the upcoming Armenian Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC, which will take place in the second part of 2024.




Artur Atabekyan appointed as judge of the Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation

 20:13,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS.  Based on Part 3 of Article 166 of the Constitution, as well as the Resolution of the National Assembly of February 8, 2024 "On electing Artur Atabekyan as a candidate for judge of the Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation" NAD-84-A, President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree on appointing Artur Atabekyan to serve as judge of the Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation, the Presidential Office said.

Armenia’s Malkhas Amoyan will fight for the third European gold

 21:23,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS.  Member of the Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team Malkhas Amoyan has reached the finals of the European Championship held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and will fight for the third championship.

In the semi-finals,  Malkhas Amoyan (77 kg) competed with Moldavian Alexandrin Gutu and won 2:1.

Amoyan's opponent in the final will be Turkish Emre Basar.

In the semi-final of the 55 kg weight category, Manvel Khachatryan, a member of the Armenian national team, competed against Artem Dileanu, representing Moldova.

The match ended with a score of 2:2, and since the last point was scored by the athlete from Moldova, he reached the final. Manvel Khachatryan will compete for the bronze medal of the European Championship. The match will take place on February 13.

Armenpress: Armenia’s minefield maps, transferred to Azerbaijan, provided to some international partners – Foreign Ministry

 21:58,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS.  The minefield maps obtained through surveys among former officials of Nagorno-Karabakh, were handed over to the Azerbaijani side on January 26, aiming to address humanitarian issues and as a way of building trust,  according to the publication on the Armenian Public TV.

"Considering the unnecessary speculations on the subject by Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia has also provided these maps to certain international partners, who, if necessary, can also be involved in the process of verifying their accuracy," stated the Foreign Ministry.

Asbarez: Armenia’s Foreign Ministry Removes ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’ Sections from Website

Foreign Ministry's website page where the "Nagorno-Karabakh Issue" was once presented

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has removed a section called “Nagorno-Karabakh Issue” from its website, coinciding with a top Azerbaijani official complaining about the description “language” used on the website, which has been deemed unacceptable by Baku.

While the section entitled “Nagorno-Karabakh” still appears on the Foreign Ministry’s website under the foreign policy heading, the “Nagorno-Karabakh Issue” subsection is removed in all languages — Armenian, English, French and Russian.

The foreign ministry has also removed a section that included reports by the Artsakh Human Rights Defender’s office.

Asbarez reported on Friday that Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijan’s senior envoy for special assignments who has been closely involved in the negotiations, had told RFE/RL’s Joshua Kucera that in addition to Armenia’s Constitution, there are several other instances where Armenia’s claim on Artsakh appear in formal statements and legislation.

Amirbayov specifically called attention to the language on the Armenian Foreign Ministry website saying that Nagorno-Karabakh is “an integral part of historic Armenia,” and recent Armenian filings in the European Court of Human Rights that imply a claim on Azerbaijan.

He also said, when Armenia’s legislature ratified the 1991 Alma Ata accords, which accepted Soviet republic borders as the borders of the newly independent states, lawmakers added language saying that it did not apply to Artsakh.

“We have pointed the attention of the Armenian side to those facts many times, during our [in-person] negotiations, but also through different exchanges of comments,” Amirbayov said. “And the Armenian side acknowledges that this is the fact, but nothing is being done…”

“When they try to cheat, if I may use the word, if they try to put all the blame and the responsibility on our shoulders, and at the same time in the back of their minds still having these territorial claims against us, it’s not going to work,” the Azerbaijani official added.