Author: Antonian Lara

Ban on plastic bags enters into force in Armenia

Antonian Lara
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 3 2022
January 3, 2022, 10:48

 Less than a minute

From January 1, stores will no longer offer plastic bags. The ban applies to 50 micron bags. The sale is prohibited by law.

Before the law came into force, some businesses had already switched to alternative paper bags, and small manufacturers were already offering cloth bags.

From January 1, 2022, an administrative responsibility in the amount of 30 thousand drams is established for the use of plastic bags in trade centers. The next target is to ban the sale of plastic dishes.

Armenia servicemen on charge who were on combat duty on November 16 are arrested

Antonian Lara
 News.am 
Dec 30 2021
11:24, 31.12.2021

YEREVAN. – The Investigative Committee of Armenia continues the investigation of the criminal case opened into the Azerbaijani army carrying out an act of aggression against three Armenian military positions located in the Kilisali-border line Ishkhanasar section of Syunik Province on November 16, violating the norms of international humanitarian law, as well as violating the rules of combat duty or service, along the lines of which two senior officers and two observers of two Armenian combat positions were charged with criminal offenses and remanded in custody, according to the Investigative Committee.

The aforesaid investigation has found out that Captain A. Kh. had violated the law on the approval of the internal service code of the Armenian Armed Forces, the charter on the organization and implementation of combat duty, and the combat charter of the Armed Forces, as his actions had serious consequences.

Captain A. Kh., among several other Armenian servicemen, was returned from Azerbaijan to Armenia Wednesday. A criminal charge has been brought against him, and he has been remanded in custody.

The investigation continues.

Armenia names condition for considering Azerbaijan-EAEU dialogue

Antonian Lara
PanArmenian, Armenia
Dec 25 2021
– 15:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia is ready to consider the possibility of granting Azerbaijan observer status within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Friday, December 24.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a virtual press conference on Friday, maintaining that the matter could be discussed if such an official process is initiated within the EAEU but added that Armenia’s stance will depend on the course of negotiations with Azerbaijan.

“I can’t express a position now. If we see that this step contributes to the opening of a peaceful era, the prospects for the settlement of the Artsakh conflict, the possibility of compromises, it should be in that general context,” the Prime Minister said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said earlier that the development of a dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Eurasian Economic Union – of which Armenia is a member – would “contribute to the intensification of mutual trade”. Armenian Foreign Minister spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan maintained, however, that such decisions have to be based on a consensus among member states.

Artsakh official: Why international leaders praise Baku for releasing Armenian captives if it’s international law duty?

Antonian Lara
News.am, Armenia
Dec 22 2021
13:35, 22.12.2021

Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Artak Beglaryan has reflected on the issue of captives.

“Anyone can explain [to] me why some international leaders praise Azerbaijan for releasing Armenian captives, if it is an intl law duty & AZ still keeps many of them as hostages?” Beglaryan wrote on Twitter.

“Guys, if you praise ‘good will’ of a criminal instead of punishing, you encourage deviant behavior!” he added.

Armenpress: Armenian Vice Speaker of Parliament, Indian Ambassador highlight importance of North-South transportation corridor

Antonian Lara

Armenian Vice Speaker of Parliament, Indian Ambassador highlight importance of North-South transportation corridor

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 10:27,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament, head of the Armenia-India friendship group Hakob Arshakyan received Ambassador of India to Armenia Kishan Dan Dewal, the Parliament’s press service reports.

The Vice Speaker of Parliament said that the rich historical past of the Armenian-Indian relations is the best base for expanding the inter-state ties. In this context he highlighted the Ambassador’s active participation and productive work.

“During the past 29 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Armenia and India managed to turn the deeply-rooted historical friendly ties into warm and partnering interstate relations”, Hakob Arshakyan said, highlighting specifically the role of the friendship groups within the inter-parliamentary partnership.

Talking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Vice Speaker highlighted the importance of returning the Armenian captives from Azerbaijan and stated that Azerbaijan is not fulfilling the provisions of the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement. He said that in this regard Armenia appreciates India’s balanced statements and role in the international arena. Hakob Arshakyan noted that Armenia reaffirms its support to India over the Jammu and Kashmir issue and expressed hope that the problem will be solved peacefully.

According to Arshakyan, Armenia is cooperating with India in different areas. He brought as an example the export volumes to India which increased almost 20 times compared to 2019, comprising 73,4 million dollars, and the trade turnover between the two countries grew over 2,7 times.

In terms of boosting the tourism cooperation, the sides highlighted conducting direct flights between the two countries. The officials also discussed the partnership in the field of education, in particular noting that more than 3000 Indian students study in Armenia.

The importance of the North-South transportation corridor was also emphasized.

The Indian Ambassador also highlighted deepening the Armenian-Indian relations and stated that a friendship group will be formed in the Parliament of India soon. Kishan Dan Dewal also highlighted the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict with peaceful negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Mamikon Aslanyan accused of winning the local elections against the will of authorities – statement

Antonian Lara
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 16 2021

The lawyers of former head of community of Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan, the leader of “Mamikon Aslanyan bloc” which claimed the majority of the votes in the recent local elections have issued a statement. 

Lawyers Lusine Sahakyan and Yervand Varosyan remind that during the December 5 elections, Mamikon Aslanyan bloc received 12,814 votes which is 45% of the Council of Elders. The first meeting of the Council of Elders is scheduled for December 17, where Mamikon Aslanyan was expected to be elected as the new head of the community.

However, today, Bright Armenia party, which didn’t cross the threshold needed to make it into the local legislative body with 1,313 votes, has filed a motion disputing the election committee’s decision on the distribution of the mandates. The lawyers believe the move is aimed at simply putting off the council’s first meeting by a week. Furthermore, in the words of the lawyers, by a strange coincidence, Mamikon Aslanyan was arrested on Wednesday. 

The Investigative Committee has brought charges on abuse of power and official forgery against him and is set to appeal to the court to choose arrest as a preventive measure against him.  

“After getting familiarized with the charges it became obvious that in reality Mamikon Aslanyan is accused of winning the local elections in Vanadzor against the will of authorities. The implementation of the duties envisaged by his capacities of the head of community which are presented in the form of charges has nothing in common with the brought crime.  

“The arrest of another person, who won the elections of local-self government bodies by the will of the people and against the will of authorities, is an explicit political persecution,” the statement said.

COVID-19: Omicron variant not detected in Armenia

Antonian Lara

 

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 13:21,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Omicron coronavirus variant has not been detected in Armenia as of December 15, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Healthcare said in response to the inquiry of ARMENPRESS, stating that the identifications of the virus strains are taking place on a regular basis in the country.

The Omicron variant has been detected in more than 70 countries.

The World Health Organization has expressed its concerns, noting that the risk of the variant spread is quite high.

Armenian health authorities consider not covering medical bills of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients

Antonian Lara

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 12:14,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Healthcare is considering stopping covering the medical bills of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

Ministry of Healthcare spokesperson Hripsime Khachatryan said the reason for this move is the unsatisfactory vaccination rate and the new variants of the coronavirus.

The decision will only pertain to hospitalized unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

Khachatryan reminded that the vaccines are available for free.

A preliminary possible date for introducing the new regulation is set for February 1, 2022, but the timeframes may be changed.

“I won’t miss this occasion and I will once again call on our citizens to get vaccinated,” she said, adding that Armenia is one of the exclusively few countries which offers a wide selection of vaccines to citizens.

Armenia, A New Wine Country That Is Actually Very Old, Illustrated With Two Wines

Antonian Lara
Forbes
Dec 11 2021


Per and Britt Karlsson

Contributor

Lifestyle


Per and Britt Karlsson

Contributor

Lifestyle

Armenia is a small wine country but definitely not a new one. Here, in the region around present-day Armenia and Georgia, wine was made for the first time around 8000 years ago. At least, that is what archaeological finds tell us. From here, the art of making wine spread south to Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), to Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece and the other countries around the Mediterranean and beyond.

Armenian wines have been totally unknown for most of us until very recently. This is mainly because the country was a Soviet republic between 1922 and 1990. Each of the Soviet republics had its own speciality, and for Armenia, it was brandy production. But now the country’s wines are again being appreciated around the world. The volumes are relatively small, and we are not talking about low-priced wines. The producers are focusing on quality wines with character.


A back-label on a bottle of Armenian wine in the[+]

BKWINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Armenia is sandwiched between Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran. The country has only 3 million inhabitants, but there is a large diaspora of Armenians worldwide. The mighty Caucasus Mountains make their mark on the landscape, and many vineyards are located at high altitudes, 3300-5000 feet above sea level. The climate is continental, with hot and dry summers and winters with temperatures that can drop to 5 degrees F and even lower in some regions.

Armenia has four main wine-growing regions. The most famous is Vayots Dzor in the southern part of the country. This is where one of the world’s oldest wineries was discovered, 6000 years old.


Trinity Eh Areni noir 2017, Aghavnadzor, Vayots[+]

BKWINE PHOTOGRAPHY

We have recently tasted two red Armenian wines from Vayots Dzor, made from the local grape Areni Noir.

Armenia has plenty of local grapes, which the producers now want to bring forward. One of the most cultivated is Areni Noir, a hardy grape that can withstand chilly nights at high altitudes and periods of drought. It has thick skin, some tannins but can feel quite smooth on the palate, with aromas of red fruit and spices. The winemaker’s decisions play a significant role in the character, not least whether the wine is oak-aged or not.


Old Bridge Reserve 2017, Areni Noir, Arpa Valley,[+]

BKWINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Trinity Eh Areni noir 2017, Aghavnadzor, Vayots Dzor, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, Armenia

Bright in colour and light in style with high and refreshing acidity and lovely fruit aromas. I like its easy-drinking, refreshing style. The wine has been aged in oak barrels for 18 months, but the oak is well hidden behind the fruit, which is good. This wine benefits from having the fruit aromas as the centrepiece. Trinity Canyon Vineyards was founded in 2009. (~35 USD)

Old Bridge Reserve 2017, Areni Noir, Arpa Valley, Armenia

A balanced wine with complex and well-developed aromas, quite soft but with a fresh acidity that gives structure. Delicious. The property was founded in 1998 by the Khalatyan family. The old bridge is close to the estate, and Marco Polo crossed it in the 13th century. (~35 USD)

History, whether it was 8000 years ago or just 800, is always present in Armenia.

Try these two wines, or any others you can find from Armenia, to discover a new wine country.

 

Iranian date to be exported to Armenia

Antonian Lara
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 11 2021

Iran exported 137,000 tons of dates (khurma) in the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-October 22), which was 14 percent more than the exported amount in the same period of time in the past year, the data of the Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) showed, according to Tehran Times report. 

The source named India, France, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Britain, the U.S., Indonesia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada as the major buyers of Iranian date.

“The total production for this year will be 4.5 million tons, of which 2.5 million tons will be consumed domestically, and another two million is intended for export to Russia, Iraq, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan,” the head of National Association of Iranian Dates (NAID) told the source.