Georgian Prime Minister meets Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia.
The meeting at the Government Administration was attended by Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli and Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia Ashot Smbatyan.
Top EBRD officials to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman and Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone will tour the Caucasus from 16 to 19 January, first visiting Armenia, then Georgia, before concluding their trip in Azerbaijan.
The purpose of the trip is to discuss upcoming projects in both the private but also public sectors. Discussions on financial resilience, policy reform and the preparation for the Bank’s upcoming new country strategies are also on the agenda.
The visit follows EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso’s recent tour of the Caucasus in September.
In all three countries, the delegation will meet the political leadership, diplomats, international development partners, leaders of the business community and the Bank’s existing partners.
While in Tbilisi, Mark Bowman is also expected to sign a sovereign loan agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the rehabilitation and upgrade of up to 12 metro stations in the capital.
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PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijan’s armed forces
STRASBOURG. "We are concerned by the numerous reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by the armed forces of Azerbaijan”, said Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland, SOC) and Boriana Åberg (Sweden, EPP/CD), co-rapporteurs of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) for the monitoring of Armenia's obligations and commitments.
“We note that the Military Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan has decided to investigate the facts and hope that these investigations will be public and transparent. While both sides blame each other for the resumption of hostilities, Azerbaijani armed forces are occupying Armenian territory in violation of Armenia's territorial sovereignty and Azerbaijan’s obligation under the Statute of the Council of Europe to settle conflicts by peaceful means,” the co-rapporteurs added.
“We therefore call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately withdraw from all parts of the territory of Armenia and to release the prisoners of war under their control. Only diplomatic means will bring a just and lasting response to the conflict that will benefit the populations of both states," they concluded.
European Political Community: Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia meet in Prague
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Prague on 6 October 2022 on the margins of the first meeting of the European political community, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel.
Armenia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and the 1991 Alma Ata Declaration, in which both sides recognise each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. They confirmed that this will be the basis for the work of the border delimitation commissions and that the next meeting of the border commissions will take place in Brussels at the end of October.
Armenia has agreed to facilitate the deployment of an EU civilian mission along the border with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has agreed to cooperate with the mission as appropriate. The mission will start in October and will last for a maximum of two months. The aim of the mission is to build confidence and, through its reports, contribute to the work of the border commissions.
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Secretary Blinken’s Trilateral Meeting with Azerbaijan and Armenia
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov for the first direct talks since recent fighting. Secretary Blinken conveyed condolences for the lives lost and emphasized the need to prevent further hostilities, underscoring the importance of returning to the peace process. They discussed next steps, and the Secretary encouraged the sides to meet again before the end of the month.
TURKMEN-ARMENIAN POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS WERE HELD AT THE MFA OF TURKMENISTAN
On September 13, 2022, political consultations were held in Ashgabat between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia. The Turkmen delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister V. Hajiyev, and the Armenian delegation - by Deputy Foreign Minister M. Safaryan.
After exchanging greetings, the parties noted the friendly character inherent in the Turkmen-Armenian relations. During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the key aspects of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.
The high level of cooperation within the framework of international and regional organizations, primarily the UN, was stated. The consistent support of the Armenian side for the foreign policy initiatives of Turkmenistan put forward on international platforms was noted.
The parties noted with satisfaction that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia, and in this regard, it was proposed to hold a number of events dedicated to this date.
Diplomats also noted the positive dynamics in the development of trade and economic relations. In this context, the readiness of Turkmenistan to discuss the prospects for cooperation in all areas, including the fuel and energy sector, was noted.
At the end of the talks, the parties discussed issues of expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation and stated that there are great opportunities for the further development of relations in various areas.
THE NINTH MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TURKMEN-ARMENIAN COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION WAS HELD IN ASHGABAT
On September 13, 2022, the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan hosted the ninth meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian Commission for Economic Cooperation, co-chaired from the Turkmen side - by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Sh. Abdrakhmanov, from the Armenian side – by Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan .
The agenda of the meeting, which was also attended by heads and representatives of a number of ministries, departments and business entities of the two countries, included a wide range of issues related to the implementation of existing agreements between the two countries.
The progress of the implementation of the agreements reached following the eighth meeting of the Commission, held in Yerevan in March 2017, was discussed.
The parties noted that the export of products from the oil and gas, agricultural, food and textile industries of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia will contribute to the development and strengthening of trade relations between the two countries. The sides also agreed to help increase the volume of trade between the two countries and expand the range of exported goods by establishing contacts with the participation of the business circles of the parties and organizing meetings.
The sides also expressed interest in strengthening contacts in the field of industry, transport, construction, architecture, agriculture, as well as in the fuel and energy sector.
The parties also spoke in favor of deepening contacts in the fields of science, culture, sports, tourism, education, healthcare and developing cooperation in the field of the media, which are an effective mechanism for diversifying mutually beneficial partnerships.
The members of the Commission emphasized the need for regular bilateral meetings, consultations and negotiations aimed at further strengthening the constructive dialogue in the interests of the two countries.
As a result of the work of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian Commission for Economic Cooperation, a relevant protocol was signed.
EBRD President to visit Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renault-Basso, will tour the Caucasus next week, from 12 to 16 September, to meet senior government officials and business clients and partners. She will first visit Azerbaijan, then Georgia, before finishing in Armenia.
This is her first in-person visit to the region since assuming office in late 2020.
Prior to her departure, the EBRD President held virtual meetings with a diverse group of Azerbaijani, Georgian and Armenian civil society representatives.
In Baku, in addition to important meetings, the EBRD President will sign the agreement for the Bank’s second Green City project in Azerbaijan and launch a joint project with AzPromo, the national investment promotion agency, aimed at stimulating the telecommunications, media and technology sector in the country.
In Tbilisi, Odile Renault-Basso will hold different meetings and sign loan agreements with long-standing partners in the financial and healthcare sectors.
The EBRD President will conclude her trip in Yerevan, where she will meet Armenia’s political leadership and the EBRD’s partners. Renaud-Basso will also visit the Centre for Creative Technologies (TUMO), where she will meet leaders of Armenia’s hi-tech sector, and attend celebrations for the 15th anniversary of the EBRD-supported Investment Council of Armenia.
“I am very much looking forward to visiting the Caucasus, where the Bank has achieved some remarkable results during its 30 years of operation. Despite its size, the region remains an important investment destination for us, one where we have already invested more than €10 billion,” said Renaud-Basso prior to her visit.
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Ilia Darchiashvili has held a farewell meeting with the Ambassador of Armenia
On 1 September 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili held a farewell meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Georgia, Ruben Sadoyan.
The Minister thanked the Armenian diplomat for his significant contribution to the development of relations between Georgia and the Republic of Armenia and wished him success in his future work.
At the meeting, the sides spoke about the fruitful cooperation between the two countries and prospects for its development.
MFA of Georgia
Michel: Armenia and Azerbaijan agree to move forward on bilateral peace treaty
On 31 August, European Council President Charles Michel met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The fourth discussion in this format focused on recent developments in the South Caucasus and relations between the EU and the two countries. All sides agreed to step up substantive work to advance on the peace treaty governing inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and tasked the Foreign Ministers to meet within one month to work on draft texts.
“Our exchanges were open and productive – and I would like to thank both leaders for that,” said Michel. “It is positive to see that quite a few steps have been taken to take forward the agreements reached during our last meeting.”
Michel, Aliyev and Pashinyan also had a detailed discussion on humanitarian issues, including demining, detainees and the fate of missing persons.
They also reviewed progress on all questions related to the delimitation of the border and how best to ensure a stable situation.
The next meeting of the Border Commissions will take place in Brussels in November. By the end of this month, the next, fifth meeting in a similar format will take place.
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