Official Kyiv considers Armenia's vote on Ukraine in Geneva a good signal

Official Kyiv considers Armenia's vote on Ukraine in Geneva to be a good signal and hopes that this position will be continued.

This was stated by the Charge d'affaires of Ukraine in Armenia Denis Avtonomov at a press conference at the Embassy of Ukraine. When asked what steps you expect the Republic of Armenia to take in the current situation, given that Armenia is a strategic ally of the Russian Federation, the Charge d'affaires replied that Armenia hasn't yet expressed its position on the military actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, but also positively assessed Armenia's position during the February 28 voting in Geneva.

"Armenia is not expressing its position now. Nevertheless, yesterday at a session of the UN Human Rights Council, the issue of including the situation in Ukraine in the agenda of the 49th session in Geneva was discussed, at which 13 countries abstained, including Armenia. This is the first case in recent years when Armenia doesn’t support Russia's position. We believe that this is a good signal, and we hope that such a position will at least continue," Avtonomov said.

Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs Eduard Aghajanyan said that Armenia is concerned by the developments taking place in the territory of Ukraine.

"Armenia, of course, is deeply concerned about the current situation. Having felt the consequences of the horrors of war on ourselves, of course, we are able to empathize and assess the situation. Any war has very painful consequences, and the Republic of Armenia, is, of course, acting as a supporter of the solution of issues through peace and negotiated means. Of course, this situation is concerning, and Armenia, being a member of the international community and having a certain position, is concerned also by the consequences of this process in our region. Of course, we very closely follow the developments, and Armenia must also be ready to all the consequences that could result from any development," he said.

According to him, the cessation of military operations and shift to the solution of the issue through diplomatic means would be the most desirable development for Armenia.

Special envoy of Canada to EU and Europe meets Armenian PM and NA Acting President

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Federal Republic of Germany Stéphane Dion.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the strengthening of democracy in Armenia and the expansion of the Armenian-Canadian partnership in that context. The Prime Minister suggested that the Canadian side consider the possibilities of implementing joint programs in Armenia in the fields of road construction, reservoir construction, renewable energy, green economy, as well as educational infrastructure. Stephen Dion found the proposals interesting, noting that he would present them to the Prime Minister and Government of Canada. Stéphane Dion considered the proposals interesting, noting that he will present them to the Prime Minister and Government of Canada.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on international and regional security issues. The Prime Minister presented Armenia's positions on the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the opening of regional communication routes, as well as referred to the agreements reached as a result of meetings mediated by international partners. Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia attaches importance to peace, stability in the region, and expects the support of international partners in that process.

RA NA Vice President, the NA Acting President Hakob Arshakyan received the Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany Stéphane Dion.

Touching upon the post-war still non-overcome problems, Hakob Arshakyan highlighted the realization of all provisions of the trilateral statement, considering of priority the issue of the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and the civilians being held in Azerbaijan. The NA Vice President has reminded that the return of the abovementioned persons is postponed with fake criminal cases in Azerbaijan.

"We hope that the international counterparts will decently respond to the fact and we will be able to advance in the region with the committed peace agenda," Hakob Arshakyan stressed.

In this context the importance of the demarcation and delimitation process and the complete withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the RA sovereign territory was touched upon. With regards to the establishment of peace in the region it has been underscored that the special representatives of Armenia and Turkey actively negotiate in registering progress in the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Armenian FM met his Canadian counterpart and the President of ICRC

On February 28, on the margins of the session of the High-level Segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Canada Mélanie Joly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Canada discussed the prospects for further development of bilateral relations. The importance of promoting high-level contacts was emphasized.

The interlocutors underlined the importance of the mission of Canadian special envoy Stéphane Dion, who has been in Armenia since last week. They exchanged views on the democratic reforms carried out in Armenia.

On March 1, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports.

Referring to the ICRC's activities as a non-political and humanitarian organization, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the importance of the organization's activities towards resolving the humanitarian issues in Artsakh.

In this context, Ararat Mirzoyan drew Peter Maurer's attention to the urgency of repatriating 38 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, as well as revealing the cases of enforced disappearances and the fate of missing persons.

Minister Mirzoyan stressed the need for ensuring the unimpeded access of international organizations to Nagorno Karabakh and their active involvement on the ground.

Other News

• Pashinyan and Macron exchanged views on the processes taking place in the international arena.

• Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the opening ceremony of the exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Armenia’s accession to the UN

• President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan convened a meeting of the Security Council.