Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held discussion at “Atlantic Council” think tank

Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who was in the United States on a working visit, participated as a keynote speaker in a roundtable discussion held at the prestigious US think tank – the Atlantic Council, Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia touched upon the main agenda and emphasised the working visit to the USA, the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue, the documents signed during the visit and the prospects of the development of the Armenia-US relations. Reference was made to the process of reforms aimed at democratic development, protection of human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia's position on the negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement with Azerbaijan, and the role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in these processes. The humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war and their need to be urgently addressed were presented. During the meeting reference was also made to the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Meeting of Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia with delegation led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan met the delegation led by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Honda Taro, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.  Mnatsakan Safaryan emphasised the importance of further development and strengthening of the Armenian-Japanese relations, the activation of economic cooperation valuing the official assistance programs implemented by the Government of Japan in Armenia.

The Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister presented the situation regarding territorial disagreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the recent developments on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reaffirming the urgency for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue under the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs mandate. 

Taro Honda noted that the aim of his visit is the promotion of the Armenian-Japanese dialogue and expressed his satisfaction with the confirmation of Armenia's participation in the "Osaka 2025" international Expo. He reiterated Japan's position that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be settled through peaceful negotiations, emphasising the role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in the process of settlement.

Alen Simonyan received the delegation led by Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group

President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan received a delegation headed by Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group of the Senate of the French Republic.

Welcoming the guests, the Speaker of the Parliament stressed the warm relations with the French Senate, adding that he was always happy to receive the best friends of Armenia, separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Armenian people. He noted with satisfaction the expansion of the France-Armenia Senate Friendship Group, noting that this is proof of the close cooperation between the two countries. 

The parties congratulated each other on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The President of the National Assembly conveyed his congratulations to the President of the Senate, Gerard Larcher, noting that for thirty years a close political interaction has been established between the countries at a high level. During the meeting, the important role of friendship groups in the development and enrichment of the political dialogue between Armenia and France was discussed. The President of the National Assembly noted with gratitude the active participation of the France-Armenia Friendship Group in the adoption of several resolutions condemning the 44-day war, the Armenian-Azerbaijani border clashes of 2020.

In this context, Alain Simonyan expressed hope that the French partners will continue their efforts to facilitate the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war, the preservation of the Armenian historical, cultural, and religious heritage in the territories of separatist Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijani control. 

The French side reaffirmed its active support in this matter, adding that the cultural values ​​of the countries are in the public domain.

Armenia and Georgia agreed to cooperate militarily for 2022

Suren Papikyan, Armenia's Defence Minister, and Juanshir Burchuladze, Georgia's Defence Minister, signed a military cooperation pact between the two nations' defence ministries through 2022 in Tbilisi. According to the Armenian Defence Ministry's press department, Papikyan and Burchuladze addressed a variety of regional security problems during their meeting. 

The ministers also talked about the future of bilateral defence cooperation, including military education, experience exchange, human rights, social security, and other sectors.

European Union pleased with Armenia's efforts to expand EU-Armenia cooperation

The European Union is pleased with Armenia's efforts to develop and broaden the EU-Armenia collaboration, according to Andrea Wiktorin, director of the EU Delegation to Armenia, who met with Armenian Finance Minister Tigran Khachatryan.

Ambassador Wiktorin emphasised that the EU understands Armenia's issues and is prepared to continue aiding the Armenian government. According to the Ministry of Finance's press department, she delivered facts on EU projects in Armenia.

Minister Khachatryan emphasised the importance of EU initiatives in Armenia, as well as the country's current financial condition and the potential dangers and impacts of regional developments on the Armenian economy.

The interlocutors discussed such important topics as the execution of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as well as the content and aims of the ongoing reforms.

Police of Armenia: "Citizenship applications triple since February"

According to modifications to the legislation filed to the parliament by Deputy Chief of Police Ara Fidanyan, people of Armenian origin would be allowed to seek Armenian citizenship based on a baptism certificate from the Armenian Church. 

Although the legislation stated that certificates of baptism might be used to award citizenship, it was unclear in what circumstances these papers would be examined and from which denominations: some Armenians may be members of the Armenian Catholic or Evangelical churches. Armenian passports should be granted not just to Armenians, but also to members of other national minorities in Armenia, according to Yezidi legislator Rustam Bakoyan.

Many Yezidis, Assyrians, Greeks, and Jews now dwell in Ukraine, and many of them were once residents of Armenia. However, several of these individuals fled the nation during the Soviet era, implying that they never held Armenian citizenship to begin with. Now, if these individuals wish to become citizens of Armenia, they must do so on a broad basis.

"We're thinking about it and trying to figure out a solution," Fidanyan added.

The number of people seeking Armenian citizenship has quadrupled since the end of February, according to the Deputy Police Chief. In 2021, 8,591 applications for citizenship were submitted, compared to 3,278 applications between February 24 and April 20.