Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday We Want Europe in Nagorno Karabakh petition launched on change.org, endorsed by MEPs, diplomats YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. A petition entitled We Want Europe in Nagorno Karabakh has been launched on the change.org petition website. The petition mentions that Azerbaijan is conducting a policy of isolation towards Nagorno Karabakh since the collapse of the USSR. “Oil-rich Azerbaijan invests considerable effort and money to ensure that foreign political leaders, officials, journalists and aid organisations stay out of the territory. At Azerbaijan’s insistence,the European Union (EU) also stays out of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the past 20 years, no EU official has travelled there and no EU assistance whatsoever has been provided to its population”, the petition says. It also mentioned that in this context, Nagorno Karabakh’s isolation is unique, because “EU provides aid to 150 countries around the World. It also provides aid to people in many unrecognized territories such as Abkhazia, Transnistria and Northern Cyprus regardless of their status. This policy is called “engagement without recognition”. “We call on the EU to engage with Nagorno-Karabakh and support projects to improve the living conditions of its population because EU policies should contribute to the welfare, not to the hardship of populations in Europe and in its periphery. We also call on Europe to engage with Nagorno-Karabakh, because it must be present and contribute to peace as conflict escalates on its doorstep”, the petition reads. The petition has been launched by AGBU Europe, and has already been signed by Members of the European Parliament Frank Engel, Michèle Rivasi, Bart Staes, Jill Evans, Peter Niedermüller, numerous scientists, human rights activists, diplomats and others.
Month: June 2017
Defense ministry announces application submission for I Have The Honor program with deferment for students
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday Defense ministry announces application submission for I Have The Honor program with deferment for students YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the I Have The Honor program, the Armenian defense ministry proposes university freshmen graduates – who are subject to compulsory military service – to continue studies from the 2nd to 4th years with deferment permit. The tuition fee will be paid by the state, the defense ministry told ARMENPRESS. Those enlisted in the program are bound to: To undergo military training classes in the V. Sargsyan military university every Saturday during the five semesters, get enlisted into officer service in the Armenian Armed Forces after graduation with a three year term, as platoon commander in military bases operating combat shifts. The defense ministry is bound to: Appoint the enlistee to an officer position after graduation, in accordance to the military specialization. Dropped out, as well as those who will cancel their participation in the program (both during studies and after graduation) will have their deferment right revoked and will compensate the tuition fee which the ministry has paid under the contract prior to the point of terminating the contract. The application deadline is June 15, 2017, followed by a medical examination of the applicants. Those who are acknowledged to be fit for service, will pass a math and physics test, upon which the enlistees will be selected. The applications for being included in the program must be submitted to the rector’s office of the given university. For additional information, please dial 010 294584.
OSCE MG co-chairs visit Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Monday OSCE MG co-chairs visit Nagorno-Karabakh The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have paid a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh, APA reported citing news.am. The co-chairs have met with Bako Sahakyan, the so-called president of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh regime. Also attended by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Andrzej Kasprzyk, the meeting focused on the discussion of theNagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation along the contact line of troops. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in 1988. A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war, Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory which includesNagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam,Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan), and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced people. The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994. Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the OSCEMinsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE after the Budapest summit held in Dec.1994) Ministerial Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group's members include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Finland and Sweden. Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution, comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began operating in 1994. Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.
EU: Register of Commission documents: Answer to written question : VP/HR – Domestic violence in Armenia
European Union News Monday Register of Commission documents: Answer to written question : VP/HR - Domestic violence in Armenia Document date: 2017-06-02 P8_RE(2017)002392 Answers to written questions Brussels: Public Register European Parliament has issued the following document: EN E-002392/2017 Answer given by Vice President Mogherini on behalf of the Commission (2.6.2017) In the framework of the Human Rights dialogue as well as in all informal working groups and human rights-related discussions the EU systematically encourages Armenia to adopt a stand-alone Gender Based Violence (GBV) Law in line with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and with the Council of Europe "Istanbul Convention". The GBV Law will for the first time provide a framework for preventing and protecting Armenian women from GBV. The EU has consistently appealed to Armenia that the law should reflect civil society suggestions. An EU mission is planned for June 2017 to review the compliance of the Armenian Government with this condition of the EU Human Rights Budget Support programme. This particular EU programme includes a component on Gender Equality that is focused on addressing effective gender equality mechanisms and protection of victims of domestic violence / GBV and abuse in Armenia through a comprehensive approach. Moreover, the EU contributes to the establishment of a multi-sectoral referral mechanism in 2017 to assist victims of domestic and gender-based violence through timely and appropriate support services (medical, social, legal, protective, psychological). Furthermore, the EU plans to fund the project "Studies, Information Dissemination and Legal Support to Combat GBV in Armenia" meant to enhance the capacity of national stakeholders to efficiently combat GBV through creating evidence base and sharing best practices on prevention of and response to GBV at national level. The EU will continue to work with media on awareness raising of the public at large about the issue of GBV in Armenia.
Joint NGO Open Letter to Interpol: Prevent misuse of Interpol in the case of Leyla & Arif Yunus
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Monday AZERBAIJAN: JOINT NGO LETTER TO INTERPOL: PREVENT MISUSE OF INTERPOL IN THE CASE OF LEYLA AND ARIF YUNUS GENEVA, Switzerland The following information was released by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT): RE: Prevent misuse of INTERPOL in the case of Leyla and Arif Yunus We, the undersigned organisations call on INTERPOL, and all other relevant bodies and authorities to act with due diligence in accordance with INTERPOL's constitution to prevent the misuse of INTERPOL alerts against Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov, two prominent human rights defenders from Azerbaijan. The couple currently resides in exile in the Netherlands, where they were granted refugee status in 2016. Detailed information about their human rights activism can be found below. INTERPOL's constitution, prohibits the misuse of its systems for political purposes and in ways that violate human rights. Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov were arrested on 30 July and on 5 August 2014 respectively. Azerbaijani authorities prosecuted both on politically motivated charges of large-scale fraud, while also charging Leyla with bogus forgery, tax evasion, and illegal entrepreneurship offences. In August 2015, a court sentenced Leyla Yunusova to eight and half years imprisonment, and Arif Yunusov to seven, having convicted them of tax evasion and other economic crimes. Authorities also filed treason charges against them both, but later suspended the investigation. On 9 December 2015, Leyla Yunusova was released from detention and her 8.5-year prison sentence was converted into 5 year suspended sentence, following a decision by the Baku City Court of Appeal on the basis of a request from her lawyers with reference to her deteriorating health condition. Similarly, Arif Yunusov's prison term was changed to a 5-year suspended sentence. He was placed under house arrest on 12 November 2015.[1] In April 2016 the Azerbaijani government allowed the couple to travel abroad to receive needed medical treatment for conditions they had developed during their prison ordeal. Due to the politically motivated nature of their prosecution, in spring 2016 the couple received political asylum in the Netherlands. When Leyla and Arif left Azerbaijan, their cassation appeal was still pending before the Supreme Court. On 27 December 2016, the Supreme Court sent the case back for re-examination to the Baku Appeal Court. On 17 May 2017, at the hearing at the Baku Appeal Court, the Yunus's lawyer asked the court to ensure the couple's participation in the proceedings via Internet. The court rejected the petition. The same day, the court ordered the couple to return to the country to participate in the subsequent court hearings in their case. The court hearing was rescheduled from 31 May to 3 July 2017. The arrest of Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov happened against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Since 2014, several dozens of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists and opposition politicians have been arrested and prosecuted on politically-motivated grounds. The arrests and other steps by the government of Azerbaijan have served to severely close the space for independent activism, critical journalism, and opposition political activity in the country. Azerbaijan has been ranking as Not Free in the Freedom in the World rankings of the Freedom House [2] for several years, scoring the lowest on the political rights and civil liberties. In the latest Freedom of the Press rankings Azerbaijan scored the 162nd place out of 180 countries.[3] The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently concluded an official visit to Azerbaijan. In a statement issued at the end of its visit, the Working Group concluded that human rights defenders, journalists, and political and religious leaders continue to be detained on criminal or administrative charges in the country as a way to impair their exercise of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms and to silence them. The Working Group stressed that these practices constitute abuse of authority and violate the principle of the rule of law that Azerbaijan has undertaken to comply with. One of the cases highlighted by the Working Group is that of Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov. In his recent report to the Human Rights Council, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Michel Forst also drew attention to the legal persecution of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan. [4] An official request has been made to INTERPOL on by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), which represents the couple, to inquire about the existence of any alerts made against Leyla and Arif Yunus by the Azerbaijani Government and to request INTERPOL to take all appropriate steps to prevent the dissemination of such an alert. Taking into consideration the very poor human rights record in Azerbaijan and the routine practice of politically-motivated prosecutions by the authorities, any attempt by the Azerbaijani authorities to use INTERPOL alerts against Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov would violate the prohibition in INTERPOL's constitution against the misuse of its systems for political purposes and in ways that violate human rights. INTERPOL should therefore refuse any request from the Azerbaijani authorities to use the INTERPOL Information System against Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov, and we call on all relevant national bodies and authorities not to act on INTERPOL alerts against them, in case they are issued. Short biographies: Leyla Yunusova is a long time human rights defender and activist since the late Soviet era. She is the director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, a human rights organization in Azerbaijan that focused on political prisoners, women's rights and other issues. For almost 30 years Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov have been involved in compiling comprehensive lists of political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Leyla Yunusova is a Knight of the French Legion of Honor, winner of the International Theodor Hacker award, Laureate of the Polish Sergio Vieira de Mello Award and a finalist of the 2014 Sakharov Prize of the European Parliament. Arif Yunusov is a prominent Azerbaijani historian and human rights activist. He is the chairperson of the Conflict and Migration departments at the Institute for Peace and Democracy. Throughout his career Arif has published over 30 books and several articles on the history of Azerbaijan and on Azerbaijani-Armenian relations. In his work he has promoted dialogue between intellectuals from Azerbaijan and Armenia, and for many years has advocated for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. He has supported numerous victims of torture and spoken out repeatedly against politically motivated detentions. The list of signatory organisations: 1.Amnesty International 2.Association UMDPL (Ukraine) 3.Bir Duino 4.Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights 5.Committee Against Torture 6.Crude Accountability 7.Fair Trials 8.OMCT and FIDH under the "Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders" 9.Freedom Files 10.Front Line Defenders 11.Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights 12.Human Rights House Foundation 13.Human Rights Watch 14.Index on Censorship 15.International Partnership for Human Rights 16.Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) 17.Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law 18.KRF Public Alternative 19.Legal Policy Research Centre 20.Public Verdict 21.Regional Center for Strategic Studies 22.The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House 23.The Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims 24.The Netherlands Helsinki Committee 25.Women of the Don [1] Campaign Stand4HumanRightsDefenders, Human Rights and Democracy Network https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__stand4humanrightsdefenders.eu_featured-2DLeyla-2Dand-2DArif-2DYunus.php&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=QQUm_gzztVvVcsQ0wcH32t4RvTy1RstgF5RikkmRD7U&s=MuiTUCYfJhYrlzZfw2AfBChpAJY9cwxO_nNmPPDfc14&e= [2] Freedom in the World 2017 https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__freedomhouse.org_report_freedom-2Dworld_2017_azerbaijan&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=QQUm_gzztVvVcsQ0wcH32t4RvTy1RstgF5RikkmRD7U&s=Q04xtrxTlxcJFy0qLXjHYXGPNzYA872hV0eOdh2a-aw&e= [3] Reporters without Borders, 2017 https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__rsf.org_en_azerbaijan&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=QQUm_gzztVvVcsQ0wcH32t4RvTy1RstgF5RikkmRD7U&s=faf3UrXn4SQzuUvoYbPvNkNADXNYR924MMMBNNRBcLY&e= [4] "Human rights defenders call for action on Azerbaijan", 10 March 2017, .
NATO-Russian Federation difference: why NATO ‘becomes magnet to other countries’, NATO continues to be of a great demand
Aravot, Armenia
NATO-Russian Federation difference: why NATO ‘becomes magnet to other countries’, NATO continues to be of a great demand
Regional Studies Center and Konrad Adenauer Foundation have organized a seminar for the journalists of Armenia in the frameworks of “NATO as a stabilizing power in South Caucasus: current challenges and progresses in the region” with the assistance of NATO Public Diplomacy Division.
“In the case of Georgia, the question is not “yes” or “no”, but “when”
If NATO member country has decided to attack NATO non-member country, it is not the issue of NATO member states, it is the issue of the foreign policy of the two countries”, mentioned William Lahue – Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia/ NATO Liaison Officer in South Caucasus, he spoke about Armenia-NATO cooperation: “All countries in North-Atlantic Alliance have pledged to withdraw from conflicts by peaceful means and if any ally has a military issue with his neighbor, then he actually appears under a rather big pressure by other member countries not in the sense that NATO Headquarters says – what do you do? But it is the other member countries that make requirements to that country in their bilateral relations for it to cease the actions.”
“Georgia is NATO’s very specific partner, he has unprecedented relations with the institution”, noted Mr. Lahue, highlighting Georgia-NATO cooperation pack as a very important one, through which they support Georgia in making reforms and in preparing for the membership. ““Yes” or “no” is not a question, but “when” is the question. There are a lot of things to do, of course, and the member countries strictly follow the developments in Georgia. The allies, assuredly, take into consideration how the influence can be, therefore they definitely weigh up before giving a membership invitation to countries. In the case of Georgia, the first problem was whether Georgia had made those calculations by itself. For NATO it is important that no third country bears the unfavorable effect because of a decision made by this alliance. It is also very important to remember that the country’s joining the alliance does not change the power balance, it does not presuppose troop increase and military base establishment. If Georgia becomes NATO member, it does not mean that the next day changes will take place and military presence will be in place. Surely, Georgia’s status will change, that is – Georgia will enter under the protection of the Article 5 itself, which means that Georgia will no more have concerns about Russian threat. And Russia on its part, will think twice before starting actions against Georgia, that is, when Georgia becomes NATO member that threat will disappear”, explained William Lahue.
“This was an important decision both for Baltic states and Georgia, it gives them freedom and that freedom actually is provided by a defense umbrella, opens their hands for political and economic decisions. This has a fundamental negative influence on Russia forasmuch as it makes them think what they have suggested to their neighbors for them to make such decisions as to derive from the interest of the Russian Federation. We use economic, political motivating suggestions, but the RF is not ready for that, is not ready to give anything, Russia wants to put pressure and threaten until it gets what it wants. It is natural that changes might occur in the countries neighboring Georgia, in Armenia as well. For example, it is possible for Russia to wish to strengthen its military presence. Therefore, you should be ready to give a question to the government of the Republic of Armenia – whether the government will accept the enlargement of Russian military force in here. In that case, everything will already depend on the inner decisions of the country”, noted the speaker.
Which is NATO’s power?
Why did the USSR collapse and why does NATO continue to exist? As stated by William Lahue, the answer is simple, because its members want it to exist, though they can leave the alliance at any time they want, it provides them with an important political platform, except for being a defense umbrella. “We often hear from Russia that NATO is the instrument of the US policy… certainly, it is true, yes, NATO is an instrument, but it is also an instrument of German, French, Italian and British foreign policies and it is an instrument of all the members’ policies. This is sometimes difficult for Moscow to understand. There is no voting in NATO. The great allies do not have an advantage in the institution and there is no such thing that if they want something they get it and the small countries are pressed. This is the power of this institution because every nation has a complete sovereignty and there is a complete guarantee that if a country does not agree with any decision of NATO, then NATO cannot implement it, this simultaneously makes the decision-making process in the institution difficult.”
Mr. Lahue explained that the member states, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, use NATO for political issues. “For Georgia, NATO means a guarantee of sovereignty, and for NATO policy is the following – we believe our security and stability is enhanced and that peace and stability of the North-Atlantic space is enhanced by having more members, because once you are in NATO, you are a decision maker, a benefactor for the alliance, as well as a contributor to the alliance. So, the alliance becomes an important political tool for you, and this helps to ensure transparency and security between the members. You will notice that there has been no major war in Europe since NATO is founded following the World War II, because the member states pledge to resolve the issues peacefully. So, Russia’s presentation of the alliance as somehow this is a hostile, enemy force, poison on their border, threatening Russia, does not correspond to the reality, because for NATO to take military action against a state, all 29 countries should come to a consensus. What kind of circumstance would make all these 29 countries suddenly agree to attack another country? It is a fantasy scenario. That is not to say individual allies, it is possible for them to make a decision by themselves, without taking permission from NATO, because NATO cannot say what to do or what not to do. This is frequently a question I get regarding Turkey and Turkey’s role with his neighbors, NATO as an institution cannot put pressure on Turkey, the other allies can, and not solely regarding this issue, but, for example, regarding a lot of other issues – regarding the defense of human rights and democracy”, told Mr. Lahue, at the same time bringing another example, when Turkey wanted to buy air defense systems from China, NATO member states prevented it, because they could not agree on the accession of Chinese air defense systems into NATO’s integrated systems, because they would become defenseless against the possible actions of Chinese hackers, therefore, Turkey had to refuse. “Now Turkey negotiates with Russia to acquire air defense systems. Let them get it, it is their business, but Turkey cannot annex that system to the air defense systems of NATO’s other allies”, added Mr. Lahue. “NATO is not a sole entity, NATO is a collective of 29 entities. Of course, the US is the most influential state because it is the most influential military force and the question whether the US has an influence – yes, it does, it has economic, political influence, but it is used by other countries as well in benefit of their country, so, it is a mutually beneficial cooperation. This is why a country like Armenia wants to work with NATO based on the benefit it will get from those relations, they are relations which are built on mutual benefit.”
According to the speaker, this is a difficult question for Russia to understand as well, which builds its decision still on the basis of the Soviet political culture and continues to present NATO as an enemy, an opposing force which is not true. “It appears NATO is stronger than them? So, if they are stronger, then they are bad? Because they are not equal to them..? Russia builds its foreign policy and national security on the capacity of Russia to control the territories nearby its territories to have the power to provide the stability for Russia, consequently, their objective is to control everything happening in the neighboring countries, not to let neighboring countries make decisions on their own. While NATO sees its security in free, independent and democratic countries able to defend their interests and work with us. This is why NATO becomes a magnet to other countries, because they see a benefit, because that magnet will give them independence guarantees and they will have ensured freedom in their territory regarding the decision they make”, mentioned the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia/ NATO Liaison Officer in South Caucasus
Emma GABRIELYAN
‘From homeless Italian girl to earthquake?’: political scientist on changing Armenian anthem
Aravot, Armenia
An intense discussion has commenced in social networks on replacing the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia based on the poem “The Song of an Italian Girl” by Mikael Nalbandian with the song “Pour toi Armenie” (“For You, Armenia”) by Charles Aznavour. Gagik Hambaryan expressed his opinion stating that the change which is being discussed is extremely irrelevant.
“The song of the poor Italian girl is absolutely irrelevant as our national anthem. Maybe that aura influences our lives negatively as well. I am not a superstitious man, but I want our national anthem to be a glorious and a bold one, to give hope and to encompass our victories. But what do we see? From one miserable song, we pass to another which was written in 1988 dedicated to the earthquake and illustrates our hopeless and miserable situation when the whole world comes to help us.
Assuredly, I like Charles Aznavour’s song very much, but both the representatives of our generation and older people know that Charles Aznavour’s song has not been intended for a national anthem, it is a song dedicated to the earthquake. I do not want the anthem of our republic to be a song dedicated to a disaster, no way. Every time I hear that song, I remember the earthquake, our ruined Gyumri, I remember the victims in the streets. That disaster is depicted even in the clip of Charles Aznavour’s song. I find that this is a totally irrelevant discussion. Charles Aznavour is the pride of our nation, but that song brings about pity, as they say – we come out of dirt, fall into a dirty pond.”
Exhibition: Kyiv hosts exhibition entitled “Armenian icons of Ukraine”
news.am, Armenia
Kyiv hosts exhibition entitled “Armenian icons of Ukraine”
23:41, 13.06.2017
The brightest pages of the Ukrainian-Armenian history have been exhibited in the House of Architect of Kyiv within the framework of the exhibition entitled “Armenian icons of Ukraine.”
The Committee on Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine told AnalitikaUA.net that the work aimed at creating the exhibition lasted over seven months. The exposition includes reproductions of over two dozens of legendary icons from different Armenian cathedrals of Ukraine. The worshipped and crowned icons about which legends had been made up for centuries, have for the first time been demonstrated to a wide public.
The presentation was made by famous Ukrainian historian, Chairman of the Committee on Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine, Davit Davtyan.
The exhibition was attended by the representatives of the Armenian and Ukrainian clergy, Armenian Embassy in Ukraine, as well as renowned scientists, public and political figures, diplomats, etc.
Armenian injured in Moscow shooting
news.am, Armenia
Armenian injured in Moscow shooting
18:15, 13.06.2017
A resident of Moscow was detained on suspicion of shooting from a taser gun on a city service officer, doing roadworks, Moscow news agency reported quoting a source in law enforcement agencies.
On June 11, the police received a report that several people were arguing. Arriving to the site, police officers detained a 33-yer-old jobless man.
As a result of the incident the citizen of Armenia was injured and hospitalized.
An investigation is underway.
Deputy Minister: 8 Armenian villages damaged by hailstorm
news.am, Armenia
Deputy Minister: 8 Armenian villages damaged by hailstorm
17:57, 13.06.2017
YEREVAN. – Eight Armenian villages in Ararat valley have been damaged by Monday hailstorm, deputy agriculture minister said.
The agriculture ministry is calculating damages in other regions as well. As soon as the work is completed, the ministry will listen to the requests of the farmers.
In early April 2017 Karen Karapetyan instructed to submit proposals on the way toda improve the effectiveness of anti-hail installations, as well as to expand the use of anti-hail networks in two weeks.