Author: Albert Nalbandian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 20-02-19

Albert Nalbandian

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 20-02-19

Save

Share

17:54,

YEREVAN, 20 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 20 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.09 drams to 487.59 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.15 drams to 553.22 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 7.41 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 5.82 drams to 635.72 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 139.43 drams to 20914.64 drams. Silver price up by 0.28 drams to 247.37 drams. Platinum price up by 49.36 drams to 12713.54 drams.

168: Government’s economic revolution formula is perceived by Armenian public, says PM

Albert Nalbandian
| 12:00 | February 15 2019
Category
BUSINESS & ECONOMY

The government’s economic revolution formula is perceived by the Armenian public, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during today’s Cabinet session, adding that the government must adopt the list of actions deriving from the Action Plan, but that list should be separated from the list of actions promoting to revolution.

Pashinyan tasked to revise all investment proposals, reveal all existing problems for investments and concentrate the information in the ministry of economic development and investments.

He also instructed to form a map to simplify the regulations, solve the issue of availability of gas and water and accelerate the works on creating an Armenian Investment Fund.

Touching upon the period of the seasonal work, the PM said in case of working people should continue receiving family and social benefits.

Pashinyan also gave instructions relating to the agriculture sector with the goal to make the works on installing new agricultural technologies more effective.

Another incident of Armenian church targeted by vandals in Istanbul

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 14 2019

New case of vandalism has been found on the walls of the Armenian Surb Astvatsatsin Church in Istanbul’s Zeinlink district, according to a report by ermenihaber.am. The spray-painted graffiti captured by the photographer of the news outlet is signed “OHB” which is one of the most active graffiti makers in Istanbul.

This is not the first incident, in which Armenian institutions have been the target of graffiti and vandalism in Istanbul in recent years. In April 2018 photos of graffiti reading “This homeland is ours” spray-painted on the exterior wall of the Armenian Surp Takavor Church and a pile of trash dumped in front of the church’s door began circulating on social media and various Turkish news outlets. The Kadıkoy Municipality condemned the incident as a “racist attack” in a Twitter post, saying the necessary work has been initiated to clear the writing and remove the trash.

In 2016, the exterior walls of the Bomonti Mkhitarian Armenian School of Istanbul were vandalized with anti-Armenian graffiti recently. “One night, we suddenly will be in Karabakh,” read the graffiti in Turkish.

Armenian MFA comments on reaction of US over deployment of Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria

Albert Nalbandian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 13 2019
Armenian MFA comments on reaction of US over deployment of Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria Armenian MFA comments on reaction of US over deployment of Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria

22:33, 13.02.2019
                  

YEREVAN.- Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia Anna Naghdalyan has commented on the reaction of the U.S. Department of State over deployment of Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria.

“We have acknowledged the US State Department’s statement on the deployment of the Armenian Humanitarian Mission in Syria. It’s a long time Armenia and the USA make joint efforts to respond to the humanitarian disaster in Syria that is accompanied by a major crisis of refugees and deported people.

We reiterate that during the entire process of the Syrian conflict the world-spread Armenian people followed the fates of the civilian people, minorities, including the Armenian community in Syria with great concern. The Armenian public opinion displayed deep concern and compassion towards the sufferings of the civilian people and the demolition of the country. This is a country that had a key contribution to the survival of the Armenian people who escaped the genocide. General Consul of Armenia in Aleppo worked non-stop during the entire Syrian crisis.  Armenia has granted asylum to over 22 thousand Syrian refugees and has provided 4 air cargos of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. Following the establishment of relative tranquility and security Armenia plans to continue its hummanitarian mission, including by providing doctors and specialists for humanitarian demining aimed at supporting the improvment of the living conditions of the war-suffered civilian population of Aleppo. The Armenian mission has exclusively hummanitarian nature, is guided by the international humanitarian law and will coordinate its activities with the institutions and international partners offering humanitarian aid on site.

We share the concerns of the international community about the situation of the ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East and highlight the continuity of humanitarian aid provided to Syria,” Naghdalyan noted.

Catholicosate of Cilicia organizes an All-Armenian conference on the year of the Armenian media

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 11 2019
Society 19:59 11/02/2019 Region

The Catholicosate of Cilicia is organizing an all-Armenian conference on the occasion of declaring 2019 the Year of the Armenian Media. As the press department at the Catholicosate reports, the event will be held on July 2-4, 2019, in Antelias.

Editors and media personalities from Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora will participate at the conference. The topics will include challenges of the Armenian media, ways of cooperation, using modern methods, information security, disinformation, the role of social media, among others.

Armenian PM salutes Macron’s decision on Armenian Genocide commemoration day

Albert Nalbandian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 7 2019
Armenian PM salutes Macron’s decision on Armenian Genocide commemoration day

2019-02-07 18:17:54

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has saluted Emmanuel Macron’s decision to declare April 24 as Armenian Genocide commemoration day.

In a Twitter post Pashinyan described it as a “powerful manifestation” and a determination to protect human rights and prevent mass atrocities.

Emmanuel Macron said at an annual dinner of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France that France would declare April 24 as the day of commemoration of the Armenian genocide.

Armenian Assembly of America Welcomes Nicholas and Samantha Testa as South New Jersey’s State Co-Chairs

Albert Nalbandian

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: February 5, 2019

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA WELCOMES
NICHOLAS AND SAMANTHA TESTA AS SOUTH NEW JERSEY’S STATE CO-CHAIRS

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly) welcomes recent university graduates Nicholas Testa and
Samantha Testa, siblings from Moorestown, New Jersey, as the Assembly’s newest
State Co-Chairs.

 

“Building on last year’s
successful outreach and Advocacy Conference with the participation of State
Chairs and activists from across the country, Nicholas and Samantha make great
additions to our nationwide team of State Chairs,” Assembly Grassroots
& Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan said. “With the 116th Congress
underway, we are reaching out to Members of Congress about the importance of
strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations, as well as prioritizing a Congressional
Armenian Genocide Resolution.”

 

Nicholas Testa graduated from
Villanova School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Administration. Last year, he was a member of Villanova’s Armenian Society,
where he participated in local meetings and events. Previously, he served as
the Philanthropy Chairman of the Sigma Chi National Fraternity, for which he
organized a variety of philanthropic events to raise over $13,500 for the
Huntsman Cancer Institute. Nicholas works at Ernst & Young LLP as an
associate in Transaction Advisory Services and Transaction Real Estate.

 

“I am very eager to get started
as the Assembly’s New Jersey State Co-Chair and will do my best to help
contribute to our cause and success in the future,” State Chair Nicholas Testa
said.

 

Samantha Testa graduated Magna
Cum Laude from Villanova University, with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in
Accountancy and Finance. She currently works at Ernst & Young LLP in a
senior position in Wealth and Asset Management within its Financial Services
advisory. In 2014, she participated in AGBU’s New York Summer Internship
Program.

 

“I am looking forward to this new
and exciting year as part of the Armenian Assembly of America team, and will
work hard with the local Armenian American community,” stated State Chair
Samantha Testa.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian
Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization
promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly
is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

###

 

NR#: 2019-005

 

Photo Caption: Armenian Assembly
New Jersey State Co-Chairs Samantha Testa and Nicholas Testa


Available online: 


Testa.jpg
JPEG image

Armenia buys four of Russia’s newest fighter jets

Albert Nalbandian
Defence Monitor Worldwide
February 2, 2019 Saturday
Armenia buys four of Russia’s newest fighter jets
 
 
Yerevan and Moscow have signed a contract for the purchase of four Su-30SM multi-role fighters the Armenian Armed Forces will receive the aircraft in 2020.
 
The Armenian Armed Forces will receive new aircraft rather than second-hand aircraft for the first time in many years.
 
Russia sold the fighters on the cheap: in addition to the fact that Russia recently gave Armenia a loan of $100 million, Armenia received the airplanes at domestic Russian prices, rather than at export prices.
 
The concessions to Armenia were made given it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), acting under the auspices of Russia:
 
Despite the fact that the contract is commercial and the purchase is carried out at the expense of credit funds issued by [Russia], the cost of each [aircraft] for the Armenian air force will be as much as they cost for the armed forces of the Russian Federation. To Russia, such conditions look like a real gift.
 
In fact, this is the first contract concluded with the Armenian Defense Ministry under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It was important for us to confirm the strength of our position with our ally in the CSTO, Kommersant reported, citing a top figure of the Russian aviation industry.
 
The Armenian Ministry of Defence has not specified the cost of the deal.
 
Back in 2012, Moscow and Yerevan signed a contract, according to which Armenia was to receive at least 12 fighters. However, that agreement never entered into force due to financial problems in Armenia.
 
Why does Armenia need Su-30s?
 
Military observer Leonid Nersisyan notes that this will be the first appearance of military aircraft in Armenia.
 
Warplanes become more and more outdated every year. In this light, it would be very convenient and logical to replace the existing machines with these Su-30SMs The shock capabilities of the Su-30SM, including the use of Kh-58E anti-radar missiles, make it possible to effectively fight against the air defense of Azerbaijan, especially since the Armenian arsenal also has the Iskander missile system, which can also be used for these tasks.
 
On the whole, the appearance of the Su-30SM fighters in service with the Armenian armed forces will markedly increase the offensive capabilities as well as jeopardize Azerbaijans strategic oil and gas infrastructure. 2019 Global Data Point.

Turkish Press: Azerbaijani president, Armenian premier meet in Davos

Albert Nalbandian
Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
Wednesday
Azerbaijani president, Armenian premier meet in Davos
 
 
– Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian PM Pashinyan discussed Upper Karabakh issue
 
Azerbaijan’s president met Armenia’s prime minister on Tuesday in Switzerland’s Davos, according to a statement by Azerbaijan’s presidency.
 
The informal meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan took place in Davos where the two leaders were attending the 49th World Economic Forum, said the statement.
 
It added that during their meeting the two leaders discussed the current situation regarding the solution process of Upper Karabakh problem.
 
Karabakh – a disputed territory between Azerbaijan and Armenia – broke away from Azerbaijan in 1991 with military support from neighboring Armenia, and a peace process has yet to be implemented.
 
Three UN Security Council resolutions and two UN General Assembly resolutions refer to Karabakh as being part of Azerbaijan.
 
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refers to the region as being occupied by Armenian forces.
 
By Ruslan Rehimov in Baku
 
Anadolu Agency

Isn’t it funny to pay for the hamster? – demonstrator (video)

Albert Nalbandian
  • 18:03 | January 21,2019 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

Members of the Armenian Cynological Union held a demonstration in front of Yerevan Municipality against the decision to pay 5,000 AMD annually for keeping domestic animals. President of the Union Stepan Zakaryan mentioned that the law is incomplete, and it is not even defined what is a pet and what is not.

The demonstrators mentioned that even there are no elementary conditions for taking care of the animals. Deputy President of the Union Liana Gharibyan could not understand why she should pay the same 5,000 AMD for all domestic animals.

“Isn’t it funny to pay for the hamster? Let’s be more concerned about building parks for animals.”

Gevorgyan Hovhannes, who has three dogs, said he was ready to pay a tribute, but if they create conditions and say for what they should pay that tribute for.

Press Secretary of Yerevan Mayor Hakob Karapetyan stressed that there was a law on tribute in previous years. According to him, in 2011, the fee has been set from 0 to 5,000 drams, and in 2016,  5000 drams was set up by editing.

According to Karapetyan, the fee for tribute is not put into forced currently.