Author: Ani Basmajian

Armenian LA Solar expands with EBRD support

Ani Basmajian
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
Jan 26 2024

By Olga Aristeidou

With temperatures hovering around zero, Yerevan has been dressed in winter attire. Sunshine is not the first thing that comes to mind in the Armenian capital in winter, but it is one of the most modern and effective ways of keeping our homes warm at the coldest time of the year.

Solar energy is one of the most efficient and least expensive types of energy. One of the many advantages of solar panels is that they continue to produce energy even in bad weather. On cold and clear days, snow on the ground can act as a mirror, reflecting additional sunlight onto solar panels. And after a heavy snowfall, a small open spot on the surface of a panel will absorb the sun's rays and gradually heat it up, leading to the faster thawing of surface snow.

LA Solar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in Armenia and the wider Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region, exporting to over 40 countries, with the Unites States of America being one of its top markets.

The company focuses on the high-tech production of solar panels, using one of the most modern technologies available, from Swiss company Meyer Burger. It currently has an annual production capacity of 350 MW. Its panels absorb several times more sunlight than panels produced by other technologies.

“The demand for more powerful and more productive solar panels is growing every year,” explains Maksim Targashov, Head of production at LA Solar. “Many people are switching to solar energy in Armenia and elsewhere. This is supported by the local weather conditions, contracts with electricity networks and other factors.”

When LA Solar was formulating its expansion plans, it contacted the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and its partner financial institution, HSBC, for support. The company acquired working capital by procuring 12,000 450 W photovoltaic (PV) module assembly kits, with financing from HSBC under the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF). The GEFF programme in Armenia is supported by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

This should enable the company to produce PV panels with a total capacity of 5.4 MW. Statistics and similar investments financed by the GEFF in Armenia suggest that the average relative energy savings achieved by installing PV stations for own use is approximately 63 per cent. Based on this data, the GEFF investment in LA Solar's PV panels will result in the avoidance of 2,543 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Furthermore, end-users will benefit from significant electricity savings amounting to 7,500 MWh per year, translating into more than US$ 900,000 in annual savings.

Embracing solar energy’s potential and innovative solutions

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind are the cheapest options for new electricity generation in a significant majority of countries worldwide. Global solar PV capacity is set to almost triple over the 2022-27 period, surpassing coal and becoming the largest source of power capacity in the world.

The IEA also expects to see an acceleration in the installation of solar panels on residential and commercial rooftops, helping consumers to reduce their energy bills.

This is also LA Solar’s vision. One of its more recent innovative products is solar roof-tile modules.

“The idea is that instead of placing a solar panel on the roof of your house, you turn the roof into a panel,” says Maksim Targashov. “These modules can fully replace a roof. This solution offers reliable energy resilience, while enhancing the house’s visual appeal. It also has proven reliability, competitive low light performance, and resilience to dust, wind and snow pressure. We also produce triangular panels to fill gaps on roofs and maximise solar energy utilisation from unused roof spaces.” 

While China remains the dominant player in the solar PV sector, its share of global manufacturing capacity could decrease from 90 per cent today to 75 per cent by 2027, according to the IEA. Companies, such as LA Solar, are one of the reasons.

“We are the biggest producer in the region,” says Maksim Targashov. “We produce a lot for the United States of America, and we will continue to expand. Our expansion plans should lead to a significant increase in energy output, thereby contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Moreover, we expect to generate new job opportunities and to stimulate economic growth in the region.”

The GEFF programme operates through a network of more than 170 local financial institutions across 28 countries, supported by more than €5 billion of EBRD finance. More than 218,000 investments have led to a reduction of over 9.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. In Armenia, as at the end of November 2023, more than 400 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and businesses had been financed.

Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey ‘without delay’ – Reuters

Ani Basmajian

 11:05,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. U.S. President Joe Biden sent a letter to leaders of key Capitol Hill committees on Wednesday informing them of his intention to begin the formal notification process for the sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft to Turkey once Ankara completes Sweden’s NATO accession process, Reuters reported citing sources.

In the letter to the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, Biden urged Congress to approve the sale "without delay," a U.S. official told Reuters.

Earlier on Wednesday the White House sent a letter to members of Congress urging approval of the $20 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey, four sources familiar with the letter told Reuters.

Turkey's parliament ratified Sweden's NATO membership bid on Tuesday.

The sources said the letter was sent on Wednesday, and that the Biden administration has not yet formally notified Congress of plans for the sale.  Lawmakers had said they were awaiting Turkey's approval of Sweden's NATO membership- including President Tayyip Erdogan's signature – before deciding whether to approve the sale.

Azerbaijan extends jail term of all captive former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh

Ani Basmajian

 18:52,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has extended the pre-trial detention of the individuals who held leadership positions in Nagorno Karabakh and are currently held illegally in Baku.

According to Azerbaijani media,  the jail term of the ex-Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, the  former Foreign Minister David Babayan, the  National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, as well as Generals Levon Mnatsakanyan and Davit Manukyan has been extended for another four months.

On January 25, Azerbaijan has extended the pre-trial detention of Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, for another four months.




US, British forces carry out new strikes in Yemen

Ani Basmajian

 10:58,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. U.S. and British forces carried out a fresh round of strikes on Monday in Yemen, targeting a Houthi underground storage site as well as missile and surveillance capabilities used by the group against Red Sea shipping, Reuters reports. 

The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have said their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel strikes Gaza. 

In the latest response, U.S. and British forces carried out strikes at eight different locations in Yemen, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands, according to a joint statement signed by the six countries released by the Pentagon. 

“Today, the militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, at the direction of their respective governments with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 8 Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the Houthis' continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea. These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions since our coalition strikes on January 11, including anti-ship ballistic missile and unmanned aerial system attacks that struck two U.S.-owned merchant vessels,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

A senior U.S. military official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said roughly 25 to 30 munitions were fired, including from warplanes launched from a U.S. aircraft carrier.

So far, eight rounds of strikes over the past month have failed to stop Houthi attacks against shipping.

U.S. officials say the strikes have degraded the Houthis' ability to carry out complex attacks. But they have declined to offer any specific figures as to the number of missiles, radar, drones or other military capabilities destroyed so far.

"We are having the intended effect," the U.S. military official told Pentagon reporters.

British Defence Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement that the latest strikes were carried out in self-defense.

U.S. President Joe Biden said last week that air strikes would continue even as he acknowledged they may not be halting the Houthi attacks.

Reconstruction worth $114,000,000 carried out in Armavir Province in 2018-2023

Ani Basmajian

 10:32, 16 January 2024

YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Various reconstruction works worth over 46,6 billion drams (equivalent to $114,000,000) were implemented in the Armavir Province in 2018-2023, the government said in a statement.

In particular, 111,4 kilometers of roads, 87,4 kilometers of lighting, 143,5 kilometers of gasification, 336,2 kilometers of water lines and 28 kindergartens were either built, reconstructed or repaired.

Newly elected Greek parliament forms friendship group with Armenia

Ani Basmajian

 15:34,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The new Greek parliament has formed a friendship group with Armenia chaired by MP Stavros Kalafatis, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Group of the ruling Nea Dimokratia party.

The Greece-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group from the Greek side will be co-chaired by Zoe Konstantopoulou, the Head of the Course of Freedom party, the Armenian Embassy in Greece said in a statement. 

Katerina Notopoulou (SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance) will serve as the group’s Secretary. The group consists of 20 MPs.




Russia ready to contribute to establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Ambassador

Ani Basmajian

 11:39,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Russia is ready to maximally contribute to the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Kopyrkin said Russia continues to “actively, decisively and consistently” work in that direction.

“I want to say that Russia is determined to maximally contribute to the process of establishing truly sustainable and fair peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the Russian Ambassador said, adding that Moscow is also willing to assist the two countries in demarcation and delimitation of the border, as well as to develop trust.

President Khachaturyan meets with IMF Managing Director in Davos

Ani Basmajian

 13:46,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. President Vahagn Khachaturyan has met with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The President highly appreciated the productive cooperation between the IMF and Armenia and expressed certainty that the partnership will continue.

Georgieva highlighted the impressive financial figures in Armenia of the recent period and emphasized that establishment of sustainable, final peace in the region will open broader possibilities and directions for economic growth.

The President of Armenia and the IMF Managing Director also discussed the present-day challenges and their impact on global economic development and progress.

Land dispute in Jerusalem threatens Armenian Christians, nonviolent group says

Ani Basmajian
Jan 11 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Jerusalem, Jan 10, 2024 / 12:45 pm

For the past two months, 33-year-old Kegham Balian, an Armenian Christian, has spent a significant part of his days and nights in a tent in a parking area known as “Cows’ Garden” in the southeast corner of the Old City of Jerusalem. He expects to spend his Christmas there, which the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Holy Land celebrates on Jan. 19 along with the Epiphany. 

The tent is a permanent outpost established by the “Save the Armenian Quarter” (ArQ) association, founded by Hagop Djernazian and Setrag Balian (Kegham’s younger brother). It is a nonviolent movement created to defend properties of the Armenian Patriarchate from being taken over by Xana Gardens Ltd., a real estate company with alleged links to Israeli settler interests. 

Kegham Balian is an Armenian with the “Save the Armenian Quarter” (ArQ) association, founded by Hagop Djernazian and Segrat Balian, the younger brother of Kegham. It is a nonviolent movement created to defend some properties of the Armenian Patriarchate. Credit: Marinella Bandini

In the last two months the Armenians have suffered seven or eight attacks by people Balian says were sent by Xana Gardens. The last was on Dec. 28, when 10 Armenians were injured by people throwing stones. Members of the ArQ community have been taking turns to maintain a constant presence on the property.

According to ArQ, the contract between the Armenian Patriarchate and Xana Gardens was illegal and jeopardizes the existence of the Armenian community in the Holy Land.

“In April, we found out there was an illegal leasing of the premises known as the ‘Cows’ Garden’ — an open area which today serves as a parking lot,” Balian explained to CNA. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem allegedly agreed to give Xana Gardens a 49-year lease of the property — with the option to renew for another 49 — to build a luxury hotel. The deal was signed in 2021 and kept a secret. 

CNA reached out to Xana Gardens for comment but received no response.

The area known as Cows' Garden in the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, seen from above. Currently, it serves as a parking lot. The area, together with some other Armenian properties, is at the center of an economic and judicial dispute after a lease deal was signed between the Armenian Patriarchate and the real estate company Xana Garden. Credit: Marinella Bandini

CNA also contacted Kerkonian Dajani LLP, the law firm representing the Armenian community of the Old City of Jerusalem.

“The community is opposed to any deal that undermines the integrity of the Armenian Quarter and the centuries-old presence of Christian Armenians in Jerusalem,” said Karnig Kerkonian, co-founder of the firm. “Our investigation has revealed that the signing of the purported agreement at issue did not follow the internal procedures of the Holy Synod [the highest authority in the Orthodox and Oriental Churches] and the General Assembly [the general assembly of the monastic order of the Brotherhood of St. James]. This, and a number of other material irregularities including financial ones, fatally handicap the validity of the purported contract.”

Furthermore, according to Balian, “this contract doesn’t bring any benefit to the Armenian Patriarchate nor to the Armenian community. The rent is $300,000 a year, which is like a joke.” 

When the Armenian community found out about the agreement, protests broke out. They felt threatened not only with regard to their security but also to their identity and cultural heritage. “We started protesting, asking for transparency from the patriarchate,” Balian explained. 

The Armenian patriarch has reportedly said he was deceived about the details of the agreement and in October 2023 canceled the deal. The patriarchate is now bringing the case to court.

The positions of ArQ and the patriarchate have gradually come closer together in the past few months, “even if they’re not fully transparent yet,” Balian said. “In any case, the outpost in the parking lot has the full support of the patriarchate.”

The complex of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The building is located in the Old City of Jerusalem in the Armenian Quarter, which comprises one-sixth of the old city and occupies the entire southwest corner of the town. Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Armenian community has been present in Jerusalem for about 1,700 years. The Old City is today divided into four quarters, a legacy of the British Mandate for Palestine. The Armenian Quarter comprises one-sixth of the old city and occupies the entire southwest corner of the city. Here are not only religious institutions such as the patriarchate, seminary, and churches but also schools, shops, and residences for approximately 2,000 people.

The property involved in the disagreement with Xana Gardens constitutes approximately 25% of the neighborhood’s total area. In addition to the parking lot, it also encompasses a residential area, the private garden of the patriarch, and the Alex and Mary Manougian Hall of the theological seminary of the patriarchate. 

“If they take 25% of the Armenian quarter, they condemn the next generation to extinction. It would be the biggest existential crisis in our history,” Balian said. 

Garo Nalbandian, a professional photographer, and his wife, Hrout, risk losing their home because of the agreement. Sitting on a couch in their spacious living room, they share their story and the anxiety they feel at the thought of having to leave the house they purchased when they got engaged in 1969 and where they have raised their children.

“We were born and raised in the Armenian Quarter. Here we feel protected,” they said. “But if they take away this land, which belongs to all Armenians worldwide, our presence and heritage will be at risk.” 

The contract with Xana Gardens was originally signed by the Armenian patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian; the grand sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian; and Father Baret Yeretzian (now known as Khachig Yeretzian), the former director of the Real Estate Department of the Armenian Patriarchate, who was defrocked and removed from his position. 

The chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate, Father Aghan Gogchyan, told CNA that according to the bylaws of the patriarchate, the contract cannot be considered valid because one of the three signatures — that of the then-priest Yeretsian — should not have been present.

“For transactions like this, where the property is transferred for a period of more than 25 years, the signatures of the patriarch, the grand sacristan, and the chairman of the General Assembly of the Brotherhood of St. James are required. The latter is missing, and instead, someone who should not have signed has done so. That’s why the contract is not valid,” he said.

This is also why on Oct. 26, 2023, the patriarchate announced that it would cancel the lease deal, saying it was illegal, but only after months of internal pressure from the Armenian community. 

Since then, the patriarchate has consistently emphasized the exclusively Armenian character of the neighborhood and the importance of preserving it as such. 

After the patriarchate’s announcement in October, bulldozers believed to be sent by Xana Gardens entered the parking lot to dismantle the pavement and take over the area, and the ArQ group started mounting protests and peaceful sit-ins there.

“Some people are trying to spin it as a religious battle, but the issue isn’t Jewish-Armenian or Muslim-Armenian,” Balian told CNA. “It’s not a religious fight or an ethnic issue, it’s purely against Xana Capital.” 

The interior of the tent where the Armenian activists from the “Save the Armenian Quarter” (ArQ) association gather. For more than two months, a group of youth of the Armenian community of Jerusalem takes turns to maintain a constant presence and defend the area of the Armenian Patriarchate known as “Cows' Garden,” which is now a parking lot. Credit: Marinella Bandini

On Dec. 8, 2023, Archbishop Manougian, the patriarch, made a surprise visit to the members of the Save the ArQ Movement in a show of solidarity. All the members expressed their undivided and steadfast support for the patriarch for having initiated the cancellation of the illegal deal pertaining to Cows’ Garden.

Balian said there have been blessings in the struggle.

“The entire community gathered, we got united despite any political affiliation, personal differences, and familiar disputes,” Balian said. “Everyone was united around the common goal of protecting the Cows’ Garden and by extension preserving the Armenian heritage in Jerusalem … Before, there was no interaction between civilian people and clergy, but now we started to get to know each other better,” he said.

“Furthermore, through this struggle, the younger generation has come to understand the value of the land, of our heritage and presence, while before we took it for granted and not appreciated it,” he said.

The Armenian community is planning to take further legal action in the next few weeks, Kerkonian told CNA.

“We are undertaking legal actions as well as diplomatic outreach to counter the attacks on the Armenian Quarter — and to hold those having brought about the circumstances and the violence accountable,” he said.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256496/land-dispute-in-jerusalem-threatens-armenian-christians-says-non-violent-group

ANN/Armenian News – Calendar of Events – 01/11/2024

Ani Basmajian

Armenian News Calendar of events

(All times local to events)

    What:   “Exploring Legacy: The Story of Iraqi Homenetmen Scouts”

    Event dedicated to celebrating the rich history and achievements of the Iraqi

    Homenetmen Armenian Scouts

    When: Sunday January 21, 2024 at 4:30pm

    Where: St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Cathedral’s Hall

    1510 E Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91207

    Misc: Under Sponsorship of Homenetmen Western USA Region, the Iraqi Armenians Cultural

    Committee – California invite you to take part of this wonderful event that will

    highlight the history and contribution of the Iraqi Homenetmen Scouts to the community's

    cultural heritage and preservation of the Armenian identity. The event will include an

    exhibition of historical photographs, a Power Point Presentation of inspiring scouts’

    members stories, in addition to group Armenian dance performances and poetry.

    We invite the greater community to attend this free event. 

    Tel: 818-244-9639

    ——————————————————————————————

    What: "CULTURAL GENOCIDE, The History and the Future of Armenian Heritage Sites in Artsakh"

    A lecture in Armenian presented by architect Dr. Marco Brambilla 

    When: Thursday January 25, 2024 at 7:30pm

    Where: Crescenta Valley Meher & Satig Der Ohanessian Youth Center Hall

    2633 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020

    Misc: This presentation addresses the reality of the future of Armenian historical

    monuments in Nagorno Gharabagh / Artsakh after the Azerbaijani take-over. There are

    over 1500 registered historical, Armenian, heritage sites in this area, dating back

    from early Christianity to date. After the Armenia- Azerbaijan wars, these monuments

    are being systematically destroyed by the Azeris.

    We invite the greater community to attend this free presentation. 

    Tel: 818-244-9639

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      announcements posted on this list, and submissions to [email protected].

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