Month: March 2023

Armenian, Russian FMs call for lifting of the Lachin Corridor blockade

Emil Lazarian

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 14:53, 3 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. On March 3, in the framework of the “Raisina Dialogue '' conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov.

The foreign ministers exchanged views on issues of regional security and stability, according to a read-out issued by the Armenian foreign ministry.

"The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blockade of the Lachin corridor and disruption of electricity supply by Azerbaijan. The need for the implementation of reached agreements and unblocking of the Lachin corridor in strong adherence to the commitments undertaken under the 9 November 2020 Trilateral Statement was stressed. The interlocutors touched upon issues of the normalization process of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, delimitation and border security, unblocking of all economic and transport ties as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During the meeting the Foreign Ministers also touched upon other topics of mutual interest," the foreign ministry said.

Armenian NGO calls for end to Azerbaijan’s blockade of Lachin Corridor

Janet Ekmekjian
MEDYA News
March 3 2023
1:33 pm 03/03/2023

The Armenian NGO Nor Zartonk issued a statement on 26 February demanding the immediate opening of the Lachin Corridor, the only transport route connecting Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, which has been blocked by Azerbaijan since 12 December 2022.

According to the group, the blockade has caused severe shortages of basic necessities such as food, medicine, gas, and electricity for the 120,000 civilians living in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh. Nor Zartonk alleges that the blockade is a deliberate attempt by the Azerbaijani authorities to force the Armenian population out of the area.

The Azerbaijani authorities claim that the blockade is a result of ecological concerns, but Nor Zartonk argues that this is a pretext and that the real motivation is political. The group accuses the Azerbaijani President Aliyev of suppressing libertarian movements and using the blockade to further his agenda of removing Armenians from Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh.

Nor Zartonk has called on the international community to intervene and end the blockade, citing the urgent need for humanitarian aid in the region.


Educating Armenia’s Best and Brightest

Jane Topchian
March 2 2023

Jade Bahng | March 2, 2023

In November of 2022, 25 Armenian undergraduate and graduate computer students from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia (NPUA) took a specially designed, online continuing education program with modules developed by USC Viterbi professors Sven Koenig, Clifford Neuman, and Antonio Ortega.

The NPUA students engaged in 35 hours of customized content focusing on cybersecurity and other engineering topics. The 50- to 60-minute modules included “Introduction to Cyber Security”, “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence”, and “Introduction to Linear Algebra.” Each students took 33 hours of online, asynchronous classes as well as two additional hours of live online sessions.

“The process was pretty straightforward,” said Neuman, an associate professor of computer science practice who taught Introduction to Cyber Security. “I’ve been lecturing in the Distance Education Network since 1992. The only difference was that I needed to develop a more streamlined versions of the classes—going through the material and deciding which are the most relevant things that we can fit into effectively nine hours.”

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering has been committed to providing opportunities for students all over the world through its pioneering distance education network, DEN@Viterbi, which enables online learning on a global scale. The program, regularly ranked among the top five in the nation, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

To make this collaboration possible, Charlie Ghailian, chairman of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies Leadership Council, contacted donors to support continuing education for Armenian computer science students.

Six donors, including Armenian-American tech leaders such as Alexandr Yesayan and Vahe Kuzoyan, contributed to the pilot program.

Ghailian said these donors are motivated by an emotional connection to the USC Viterbi community, as well as a commitment to providing the opportunities the next generation of young Armenian students need to succeed.

“The Armenian community in Southern California has a long-standing relationship with USC,” Ghailian said. “So, when it comes to these opportunities of connecting with these gifted students on the other side of the ocean through specific funding connections such as these virtual classes, we are motivated to find the opportunity. Sometimes the only difference in success is finding that opportunity.”

Professor Raghu Raghavendra, USC Viterbi’s vice dean for global academic initiatives, hopes that this collaboration with NPUA will open new doors for online learning.

Raghavendra and USC Viterbi Dean Yannis Yortsos are scheduled to visit NPUA this June to continue discussions of developing in-person partnerships, such as USC faculty lecturing at NPUA.

“It is important to our program that we are accessible and well-known globally,” Raghavendra said. “If anyone wants to study in the United States, we want USC to be the place they think of.”

https://viterbischool.usc.edu/news/2023/03/educating-armenias-best-and-brightest/


Americans arrested for allegedly sending aviation technology to Russia via Cyprus and Armenia

Markos Nalchajian
in-cyprus
March 3 2023

Two Americans were arrested in Kansas City on Thursday for an alleged scheme to send aviation-related technology to Russia in violation of U.S. export controls.

Cyril Buyanovsky, 59, and Douglas Robertson, 55, are accused of conspiring to circumvent U.S. export laws by selling avionics to customers around the world that operate Russian-built aircraft, according to an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Kansas.

The pair repaired and shipped technology from their firm, KanRus Trading Company, submitting false export information, such as a fraudulent invoice that showed Germany as the end destination for repaired equipment bearing a sticker for Russia’s Federal Security Services (FSB).

On Feb. 28, 2022, after U.S. authorities detained a shipment of avionics, the U.S. Commerce Department told the men they needed a license to export the equipment, the Justice Department said in a statement.

In May, June and July, they illegally shipped the electronics through Armenia and Cyprus.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy, exporting controlled goods without a license, falsifying and failing to file export information, and smuggling goods contrary to U.S. law. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison for each count of smuggling.

Buyonovsky and Robinson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Avionics includes communications, navigation, flight control and threat detection systems installed in aircraft.

U.S. Commerce official Matthew Axelrod disclosed the arrests earlier on Thursday at an American Bar Association event in Miami.

The U.S. imposed additional restrictions on avionics after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, along with controls on other goods targeting Russia’s defense, aerospace and maritime sectors.

The controls were later expanded to include Russia’s oil refining, industrial and commercial sectors, and luxury goods.

(REUTERS)

Scholz: We support principle of right to self-determination as well as of territorial integrity

Emil Karabekian
News.am
Armenia – March 3 2023

We are supporters of the principle of right to self-determination as well as of territorial integrity, and we must improve general security in the region. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this Thursday during the joint news conference with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, answering a question about the situation in the Lachin corridor.

Scholz, in fact, bypassed the subject of the Lachin Corridor, only stating: "We talked about that issue in detail. I am glad that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, participates, mediates. We also invest our efforts and have our role. In this difficult situation, my colleague's leadership is really difficult."

Scholz: Peaceful resolution should be reached also from viewpoint of Karabakh residents’ right to self-determination

David Nargizian
News.am
Armenia – March 3 2023

Germany is concerned about the unstable situation on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this Thursday during the joint news conference with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin.

Also, Scholz emphasized that Armenia and Azerbaijan go step by step to a long-term solution. The Armenian Prime Minister briefed the German Chancellor on the latest developments in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The status quo cannot continue, and a long-term solution must be found for the good of the people. From this point of view, it is necessary to reach a peaceful resolution from the point of view of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as of the right to self-determination of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. Moreover, all these principles are equal," said the chancellor.

Germany supports the respective mediation efforts by European Council President Charles Michel. Scholz emphasized that Germany has done this by also sending German personnel as part of the EU civilian mission to Armenia. Moreover, that mission will be headed by a German federal police officer.

Also, Chancellor Scholz considered the exchange of views between Armenian PM Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Aliyev in Prague and Munich as an encouraging step for the resolution of the conflict.

Germany is still recruiting members of the EU mission in Armenia, ambassador says

Emil Lazarian
News.am
Armenia – March 3 2023

By Gayane Aleksanyan

Germany is in the process of recruiting members of the European Union (EU) monitoring mission in Armenia. Victor Richter, German Ambassador to Armenia, stated about this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

To note, the mission of the EU in Armenia started its work on February 20. There are 100 observers in the mission stationed along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for a period of two years. As the European Union informed, 50 of them are unarmed. According to the decision of the German Federal Cabinet of Ministers, Germany will be represented in the mission by a maximum of 15 police officers.

Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke with Victor Richter, the German ambassador to Armenia, about the goals of this mission and Germany's efforts to establish stability in the region.

The ambassador said Germany participates significantly in this civil monitoring mission of the European Union, and it has supported the idea from the beginning. He said this mission, which started its activities a few days ago, will be headed by a German citizen. A group of Germans will be involved in the civilian mission. He could not say the exact number at the moment, they are currently in the recruitment phase. He said the mission is designed to support stability and confidence building in affected areas, as well as to cooperate with the population in order to increase stability in the region and affected areas. Of course, he said, this is a part of the great European effort, which Germany actively supports for a long-term peaceful settlement in the region and the South Caucasus. He said this is in the interests of everyone, and Germany actively supports the efforts of the European Union. He said Germany has an active political dialogue with Armenia and the countries of the region. He noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Berlin today, where he will have a meeting with the German Chancellor and the President. The German ambassador said they always have an active dialogue and this will be continuous.

Regarding statements coming from Azerbaijan, that the latter’s president is unhappy with the decision to send a monitoring mission to Armenia without his consent, the German ambassador said he I cannot comment on those statements. But he said Azerbaijan, of course, participates in the negotiation process through international mediation, and the European Union actively supports it.

And regarding the statements from Russia that the latter considers sending the EU mission to Armenia as an attempt to create geopolitical tension, the German ambassador said these efforts are aimed at bringing prosperity, stability, and peace to the region. He added that this specific mission is aimed at strengthening trust and stability.

TechTalk: ARMENPRESS kicks off brand-new series featuring the talents behind booming tech scene

Emil Lazarian

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 15:50, 3 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. In a brand-new series called TechTalk, ARMENPRESS explores the innovative tech scene of Armenia and the talents behind it. Hosted by ARMENPRESS tech reporter Karine Terteryan, TechTalk meets with developers and entrepreneurs shaping the booming startup sector of the country, as well as businessmen and educators who are integrating technologies in their projects.

ARMENPRESS TechTalk’s first guest is Startup Armenia Foundation co-founder Tigran Petrosyan. We covered a wide range of issues, such as the chances of Armenia becoming a tech hub, what it takes to have a successful startup, and of course no tech interview would be complete without a mention of AI.  

Below are excerpts from the TechTalk interview.

ARMENPRESS: Given the growth of startups in the country, do you think Armenia could become a tech hub?

Petrosyan: I notice a trend of becoming a tech hub. But there are challenges. The startup culture and entrepreneurship has become a trend and in all developing countries they are trying to somehow absorb other players in the sector. Many representatives of startup ecosystems from various countries tell me that their particular country is going to become a tech hub. We and the other members of the startup ecosystem are doing everything we can in order for Armenia to become a hub in any sense.

ARMENPRESS: Is Armenia competitive on a global level?

Petrosyan: Taking into account our size and economic condition, I think there are trends that Armenia will become at least one of the hubs if not the leading hub where good products and teams can be created and this will all become one of the locomotives of our country.

ARMENPRESS: What does it take for startups to grow and achieve global success?

Petrosyan: It’s not one particular thing; the development of startups depends on many things. I believe that what matters most is the team, because if the person knows what they are doing, has faith in their vision, then it is a lot more likely and easier to create a project.  In many cases there are ideas, but when you hear them out and realize that the given person and team lack the ability to realize this idea then the idea itself does no longer matter. But the opposite happens too, when there’s a team and you see that they want to bring change, perhaps their idea is a bit flawed but still you can rely on that team and achieve success by making some changes or even radically transforming the startup. Of course investments matter, the process gets complicated when there’s a good team but no investments, but at the same time a good team will always have investments because having investments isn’t as difficult as creating a good team. When creating startups people think ‘what if we aren’t good enough’? I’d advise everyone to make the steps forward and understand the reality while doing so. There’s only one way here, keep moving forward regardless of anything.

ARMENPRESS: In what direction is the startup ecosystem developing? Can we say that AI had a significant impact on the ecosystem? Is this seen in Armenia?

Petrosyan: Today, artificial intelligence is changing the world and all kinds of projects are trying to have AI components, in Armenia as well. We have projects that didn’t have that component before but now we see that they’ve incorporated it. It’s difficult to say whether or not AI is the future, all of that are interconnected things. Some technologies become obsolete and the new ones take over, but there is no such technology which we can describe as the technology of technologies.

ARMENPRESS: When the film industry began to develop, some people were saying that it would be the end of theater. Do you think that AI could take over jobs in the future and simply become the end for some sectors?

Petrosyan: I think that the sectors themselves will start integrating AI. I don’t think there’ll be a clash. AI is a good and supporting thing. AI helps projects to develop better solutions, become more flexible and faster. Industry will seek to integrate AI by all means.

[see video]

Armenia expects to cooperate with Germany in renewable energy, green hydrogen, climate change – ambassador

Emil Lazarian

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 16:09, 3 March 2023

BERLIN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Germany will be followed by a trip by Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, the Armenian Ambassador to Germany Viktor Yengibaryan has said.

He said that the political dialogue between Armenia and Germany has intensified.

“In general, the political dialogue between Armenia and Germany has greatly intensified in the recent period. The Foreign Minister visited Germany in the beginning of the year. And the Prime Minister’s visit is important in terms of raising the political dialogue to a higher level after the foreign minister’s visit. This will be followed by a visit by the Speaker of Parliament,” Yengibaryan told reporters in Berlin.

“We expect to cooperate with Germany in a number of new areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen area. Armenia and Germany will soon implement certain projects related to climate change. And this will first of all boost economic growth of Armenia and intensification of economic relations with Germany,” he added when asked on the Prime Minister’s visit.

Ambassador Yengibaryan added that the visit also has a political nature given the security issues existing today in Armenia and the region. “And in this regard we hope that Germany will be involved in promoting regional stability,” the Ambassador said.

PM Pashinyan arrived in Germany for a two-day visit on March 2.

Armenian Prime Minister, President of Germany discuss bilateral ties, humanitarian crisis in blockaded Nagorno Karabakh

Kajoyan Gevork

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 16:27, 3 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan were hosted by the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender at the presidential residence in Berlin.

PM Pashinyan and Anna Hakobyan signed the guestbook and then PM Pashinyan had a meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, while Anna Hakobyan had a meeting with Elke Büdenbender, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.

PM Pashinyan and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s meeting then proceeded in an enlarged format.

Nikol Pashinyan and Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed a number of issues related to the Armenian-German cooperation.  The development of partnership in the political and economic sectors was discussed. In this context, the active partnership between the governments of the two countries was highlighted.

President Steinmeier expressed readiness to contribute to the strengthening of bilateral ties and underscored the importance of the reforms aimed at developing democracy in Armenia.

PM Pashinyan presented details on the institutional reforms process and said that democracy is of strategic significance for the Armenian government.

The ongoing processes in the South Caucasus region, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

Anna Hakobyan and Elke Büdenbender attached importance to the active involvement of first ladies in various directions.

The Spouse of the President of Germany attached importance to the development of the dual education sector and the programs implemented in this direction, presenting details on the steps taken in Germany. The Spouse of the Prime Minister of Armenia said that the My Step Foundation is also implementing projects in the dual education area. The important role of women in establishing and strengthening peace was underscored. In this context Mrs. Hakobyan invited Mrs. Büdenbender to attend the Women’s Role in Promoting Democracy, Peace and Security international summit which will take place in Yerevan this year.