Month: June 2022

Andrea Wiktorin, EU Ambassador to Armenia, participated in the official launch of the “Enhancing private sector-led economic growth in Dilijan and adjacent communities” in Dilijan.

The Project aims to stimulate business development and contribute to job creation in Dilijan through investing in hard and soft infrastructure – an abandoned Soviet-era sewing factory will be transformed into an innovative space for businesses, entrepreneurs, and community services.

The project implemented by Dilijan municipality in partnership with the IDEA Foundation, Tourism and Urbanism Foundation, and Dilijan Community center is co-funded by the European Union (EUR 1 mln) and the IDEA foundation.

‘’The European Union continues supporting local and regional authorities in Armenia since we believe strongly in the role of local actors to champion local development and growth. We hope that the refurbished ‘’Kari Fabrika’’ will boost economic activity in Dilijan and in the region of Tavush by supporting the incubation and acceleration of regional small and medium businesses and making available much needed advisory and support services in a unique multi-functional space,’’ emphasized Ambassador Wiktorin in her opening remarks.

ArmInfo.Armenia’s Minister of Defense [Suren Papikyan] is not so far informed that the tasks related to combat training and combat readiness of troops were the  priority of the General Staff before “what he has called reforms,”  Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the opposition parliamentary faction  With Honor, stated in response to the defense minister’s statement on  reforms in Armenia’s Armed Forces and appointment of the chief of the  General Staff. 

“The minister says reforms will be implemented in the army, and the  armed forces will defend the country and deal with combat readiness,  the work they are supposed to do. And thee government decided to  grant the status of first deputy minister to the chief of the General  Staff,” Mr Abrahamyan said. 

The government thinks that by making the chief of the General Staff  subordinate to the minister of defense they will prevent statements  similar to those made by the ex-chief Honik Abrahamyan. 

So it turns out that the ex-chief of the General Staff, who was  subordinate to the premier, made a statement the government  considered undesirable. And, according to the government, that  statement would not have been made if the chief of the General Staff  had been deputy minister of defense. 

“Moreover, the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense have  departments with identical functions. And these are expected to be  reorganized by means of reforms. But it does not require appointing  the chief of the General Staff deputy minister of defense.  Furthermore, it causes more problems than provides solutions.  They  are saying the General Staff is supposed to deal with combat  readiness alone, but they are making it part of the Ministry of  Defense thereby confusing things,” Mr Abrahamyan said. 

In an interview with the Public TV of Armenia, Minister of Defense  Suren Papikyan stated after reforms in the country’s Ministry of  Defense the first minister of defense will be chief of the General  Staff. 

ArmInfo.After reforms in the country’s Ministry of Defense, Armenia will have a new model with the first minister of defense will be chief of the General Staff, Defense  Minister Suren Papikyan stated in an interview with the Public TV of  Armenia. 

“Reforms are being implemented in army management. These are not  substantial reforms. The Armed Forces will only deal with defense of  the country and combat training. Other departments will deal with  procurement and services. That is, nonmilitary personnel will perform  numerous duties, to start with rear services,” the minister said. 

The relevant bill will soon be submitted to Armenia’s Parliament. 

As regards criticism by some circles in Armenia over lack of reforms  and arms procurement, Mr Papikyan said he has no intention to  publicize the government’s plans. Armenia’s army must be modernized  and made more efficient and must ensure the country’s sovereignty.  The minister is critical of the people speaking of the problems in  the army in a provocative manner. 

“They are doing it on purpose. Some processes cannot be openly  discussed. And it is not only physical movement of arms to Armenia,”  the minister said. Those speaking of that can receive the information  they are interested in, he added. 

“We have started transition to processional army and we are going to  initiate legislation soon. Professional army will be organically  linked with fixed-term service,” Mr Papikyan said.

“At present, we are carrying out huge fortification work along the  border, and this work is under my personal control,” he said. 

About 13 companies are now carrying out road construction work, with  simultaneous engineering work under way. 

“The roads lead to the frontline. Our task is to fully provide both  the road network and the frontline in summer. Engineering work is  under way on the frontline,” Mr Papikyan said. 

Chief of the General Staff Artak Davtyan was dismissed on February  24, 2022. Vice-Chief Kamo Kochunts has since been Acting Chief of the  General Staff. 

ArmInfo.There is some tension along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, incidents occur, and Armenia’s Ministry of Defense is informed of that. In some cases Azerbaijan  disseminates disinformation on Armenian troops allegedly violating  the ceasefire, Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said in an  interview with the Public TV of Armenia. 

“Armenia’s armed forces prevent ceasefire violations by silencing the  enemy with retaliations. That is, we are not responsible for  skirmishes, and I hope that the neighbor’s armed forces will do the  same, and we will be able to achieve stable peace,” the minister  said. 

Asked about pile-up of Azerbaijani forces and a possibility of war,  Mr Papikyan could not make any assessments. 

“In any case Armenia’s armed forces must be ready to ensure security  of our borders. We do not see any threats now,” the minister said. 

Asked about the army’s morale, Mr Papikyan said post-war recovery is  a difficult process, but the morale is high. 

“We have to work, to ensure rear security, trust the army. The army  is awaiting support, including moral support. And we must follow this  way, and organic ties between the army and society must work,” Mr  Papikyan said. 

He reported that the draft is scheduled for June 13 to July 31. 

“This autumn our conscript will be trained in training battalions  after which they will be sent to military units,” the minister said. 

ArmInfo. Resistance Movement members demanding Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation marched from France Square to the office of the EU Delegation to Armenia. 

The protesters are chanting ‘Armenia without Nikol!’, ‘Nikol is a  traitor!’. They are holding posters reading “Open your eyes”, “What  happened to European values?”, “EU what the double standard?” 

The Resistance Movement marched toward the office of the EU  Delegation to Armenia in protest at European agencies’ passive stance  on law-enforcers’ actions against peaceful protesters.