CSTO supports Armenia’s steps to solve situation through political means – Secretary General’s exclusive interview |armenpress.am|

We support the Armenian government’s steps to solve the current situation through political and diplomatic means. We consider this the only way out. In addition, it’s necessary to more actively use the opportunities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. Such approach will provide necessary preconditions for the solution of this problem. [CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas]

If the railway is opened through Julfa, it will pass through the territories of Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, becoming a key factor not only for economic development, but also for regional security. Pashinyan

Based on the results of the meetings mediated by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Sochi on November 26 and the President of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels on December 14, an opportunity has emerged to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan on the resumption of road communication. And we have already reached a solid agreement with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the resumption of railway communication. I am talking about the restoration of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway, and we hope to complete that work during the next 2-3 years. Of course, we must work so that our agreements are clearly recorded. I also want to honestly say that some experts express opinion that this project may not be beneficial for Georgia, I mean the opening of the railway communication. I must strongly disagree with that position, because if the Armenia-Nakhichevan- Islamic Republic of Iran railway is opened through Julfa, we will have the most efficient and optimal railway communication between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea, and that railway will pass through the territories of Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, becoming a key factor not only for economic development, but also for regional security. [Nikol Pashinyan]

Humanitarian situation improved in Nagorno Karabakh thanks to presence of Russian peacekeepers – Putin |armenpress.am|

It has already been more than a year our peacekeepers help to maintain the stability in Nagorno Karabakh. The humanitarian situation has improved mostly thanks to their efforts, demining of territories of several regions have been carried out, the social infrastructure objects have been restored, the historical and cultural monuments have been preserved. [Vladimir Putin] 

Eduard Aghajanyan Meets with Ambassador of China to RA

On December 21, the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia FanYong. Welcoming the Ambassador, Eduard Aghajanyan highlighted the contacts of the two countries’ parliamentarians, the cooperation between the Friendship Groups, spoke about the necessity of the realization of the potential existing in bilateral relations and the development of cooperation in a number spheres. According to the Committee Chair, since the establishment of diplomatic relations the ties between Armenia and China had positive development.

I hope that we will go back to negotiations. Armenian President’s interview to Asia Times

I hope that we will go back to negotiations and we don’t have to recreate or create a new format or framework, because it already exits and has a history. Unfortunately, the second war in 2020 has destroyed the process of negotiations, but I think the best solution that we can get today is to engage the same organization. [Armen Sarkissian]

Putin and Macron expressed satisfaction with the stabilization of the situation in the region

Coronavirus update

On December 21 as of 11:00 in Armenia registered:
Confirmed cases in total – 343 845 (+137)
Recovered – 329 128 (+329)
Active cases – 5 309
Total tests – 2 503 039 (+5 932)
Deaths – 7 914 (+11)
Deaths, caused by other reasons – 1 494 (+1) [Ministry of Health]