Author: Antonian Lara

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Armenia is placed 113th in the Corruption Perceptions index 2016 released by the Transparency International today.

Other countries in the region are placed as follows: Georgia 44th, Turkey – 75th, Azerbaijan 123rd, Iran – 131st.

Armenia’s partners in the Eurasian Economic Union Russia and Kazakhstan share the 131st place with Iran, Belarus is 79th, Kyrgyzstan is 136th.

According to the report, more countries declined than improved in this year’s results, showing the urgent need for committed action to thwart corruption.

The Corruption Perceptions Index aggregates data from a number of different sources that provide perceptions of business people and country experts of the level of corruption in the public sector.
The methodology follows 4 basic steps: selection of source data, rescaling source data, aggregating the rescaled data and then reporting a measure for uncertainty.

Each source is then standardized to be compatible with other available sources, for aggregation to the CPI scale. The standardization converts all the data sources to a scale of 0-100 where a 0 = highest level of perceived corruption, and 100 = lowest level of perceived corruption.

Each country’s CPI score is calculated as a simple average of all the available rescaled scores for that country (note, we do not use any of the imputed values as a score for the aggregated CPI). A country will only be given a score if there are at least three data sources available from which to calculate this average.

The CPI score is reported alongside a standard error and 90% confidence interval which reflects the variance in the value of the source data that comprises the CPI score. The standard error term is calculated as the standard deviation of the rescaled source data, divided by the square root of the number of sources. Using this standard error, we can calculate the 90% confidence interval, assuming a normal distribution.

Today (Jan. 19, 2017) marks the 10th anniversary of the murder of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink. Dink was shot dead by a young Turkish ultranationalist outside the office of the Agos newspaper, where he was editor-in-chief.

Ten years have passed and the investigation into the killing drags slowly on, but Dink’s shining legacy remains undimmed despite seismic shocks in Turkey in the years since.

Born in the Anatolian city of Malatya – which once had a large Armenian population but now almost none – Dink moved to Istanbul and in 1996 sprung to prominence by founding Agos. Agos was not the first or only Armenian newspaper in Turkey but it was the first to be published in Turkish as well as Armenian, allowing a debate of issues that had long remained taboo.

Dink’s death became a symbol of the peril of such moves. The photograph of his corpse covered by a sheet, with just the soles of his shoes complete with a hole showing, underlined the tragedy. And although his assassin, just 17 at the time, was rapidly arrested and sentenced, the trial into the killing still grinds on with Dink’s supporters losing confidence on its ability to shed light on the plot.

Dink’s assassin, Ogun Samast, is still behind bars but the trial into dozens of police accused of covering up the plot rumbles on.

Photo: Reuters

 

Tehran has shown interest in signing a temporary deal with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). While Iran has already established close relations with Russia and China, Tehran’s future membership in the EAEU will further strengthen the country’s alliance with the Eurasian major players, Iranian expert Hamidreza Azizi told .

Iran may sign a temporary agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) opening the door to the creation of a free trade zone, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signaled Monday following Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Armenia.
“The president of Iran has shown interest in signing a temporary deal with the EAEU, leading to the creation of a free trade zone. Armenia is actively assisting the negotiations between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Commission, aiming to sign the agreement fast,” Sargsyan said at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in St. Petersburg.

Speaking to Sputnik Persian, Hamidreza Azizi, assistant professor of regional studies at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, and expert in Eurasian affairs, underscored that one of Tehran’s foreign policy imperatives is to bolster economic ties with Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Phto: AFP    

The Syrian army says it has retaken full control of Aleppo, following the evacuation of the last group of rebels, the BBC reports.

In a statement, the army said it had “returned security to Aleppo” and called it a “crushing blow” for rebels.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed “all civilians who wished to be evacuated have been, as well as the wounded and fighters”.

This is the biggest victory for President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising against him began in 2011.

Photo: Sergey Bobylev/TASS    

An IL-18 aeroplane belonging to the Russian defence ministry has crashed in Yakutia in Siberia with 39 people on board, teh BBC reports.

The defence ministry said 16 people were seriously injured, correcting earlier reports that 27 had died.

The plane was carrying 32 passengers and seven crew when it came down near Tiksi in the Bulun district of Russia’s far east.

Weather conditions were reportedly bad in the area when the crash happened.

The plane was carrying out a scheduled flight from Kansk when it came down about 30km (18 miles) short of Tiksi at 04:45 (19:45 GMT Sunday).

The plane broke into three pieces in what appears to have been an emergency landing.

Three Mi-8 helicopters were despatched to the crash site by Russia’s Emergency Ministry.

As well as the 16 seriously injured, another seven people on board the plane required hospital treatment.

 

 

 

Issues of Armenian-Turkish relations and Turkey’s role in conflicts were raised at the 62nd NATO Parliamentary Assembly Session held in Istanbul November 18-25. The Q&A periods turned into heated debates at times and was described in Turkish media as “row” between Armenian and Turkish politicians.

The head of the Armenian delegation Koryun Nahapetyan asked about the closed border with Armenia and Turkey’s role in the Karabakh conflict after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s report on the concept of “zero problems with neighbors.”

“Trapped in an awkward situation, the Turkish FM tried to make some baseless accusations against Armenia and Armenians. He even referred to the issue of Genocide although we had never raised the question,” Nahapetyan said.

The head of the Armenian delegation said he would not describe the debate as a “row,” but added that “Cavusoglu definitely got nervous.” The Turkish Foreign Minister even recalled the reasons behind his decision to become a diplomat.

“He recalled ASALA, the fact that Turkish diplomats were affected by the organization’s activity. Cavusoglu said he became a diplomat ignoring his mother’s objections,” Koryun Nahapetyan said.

During the plenary sitting the Armenian delegates had an opportunity to address questions to NATO Secretary General. Asked about NATO’s possible role in the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Jens Stoltenberg said “it is an issue of the two countries and NATO can play no role here.”

Referring to the Karabakh conflict, the Secretary General said the organization’s stance on the issue had not changed. “NATO is in no way involved in the settlement of the conflict and welcomes the negotiation process under way within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.”

The Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center (ISTC), which has been supporting the development of Armenia’s IT sector since 2014, opened its new home on Thursday, November 10, welcoming its first guests to its new 1,000 square-meter state-of-the-art premises on the Yerevan State University Campus.

The ISTC – a joint project of the Government of Armenia, the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, IBM, USAID, and Yerevan State University – helps meet the demand for quality specialists to work in Armenia’s IT sector. ISTC will help develop and strengthen the education and research potential of Armenian universities in the areas of IT and hi-tech. The new facility, fully equipped with the latest IBM technology, will also offer a favorable and innovative environment for the development of sustainable businesses, providing the startups with space and infrastructure, technical and business consulting, and networking opportunities.

“I am proud of the fact that this uniquely designed partnership promotes the education of one of Armenia’s most valuable resources – its youth. The collaboration between the private sector and universities creates economic opportunities for younger generations of Armenia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Jr., who was joined at the opening of the new facility by Armenia’s Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan, and IBM University Relations Manager Sergey Belov. Attendees at the opening included high-level guests from the Government of Armenia, IBM, and the U.S. Embassy, as well as more than 100 Armenian tech and business representatives.

Supporting the development of Armenia’s IT sector has long been a priority of the U.S., Ambassador Mills said. “USAID support to the IT sector began a decade ago. Since that time, USAID has played an important role in laying the foundation for a strong and vibrant IT sector in Armenia,” he said during the opening. “We see the establishment of the Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center as a capstone achievement in our efforts to partner with you to develop and strengthen IT in Armenia.” Ambassador Mills also emphasized the Center’s important role of fostering cooperation between Armenian and U.S. institutions of higher education, noting that the ISTC has signed collaboration agreements with several U.S. universities, including for example Duke University, Fordham University, and Stanford University.

The ISTC serves students and university faculty, providing them with the latest hardware and software for training and research.  Since the project’s launch, the ISTC has already assisted more than 100 professors from nine major Armenian universities to improve their training courses.  Thanks to these efforts, more than 1,500 students have already received training through 30 modernized curricula in the areas of artificial intelligence, business process management, cloud computing, and cyber security among others.  Several new Master-degree programs in cutting edge technological areas have also been designed with local universities and will be launched in the next academic year.

“The Enterprise Incubator Foundation consistently initiates and implements strategic projects targeted at IT development in the country, formation of innovative environment, and provision of quality training for personnel.  One of our most important achievements is the establishment of ISTC. Thanks to this initiative, international knowledge and financial resources will be accessible to Armenia.  IT specialists will be trained in line with market requirements.  And local companies with have the chance to engage in global networks,” EIF Director Bagrat Yengibaryan said during the event.

IBM’s Sergey Belov noted that ISTC is a best practice of education and research, which can serve as a basis for IBM to promote collaboration and development in the region. “The American University of Armenia and Yerevan State University will have new and fully personalized Academic Hubs, including software and educational materials for their students and professors,” he said.

Several new ISTC initiatives were also announced during the opening event, including the launch of the Research Grant Program that will help develop the R&D capacity of Armenia’s higher education institutions. The program will provide its beneficiaries with full access to the IBM cloud infrastructure as well as support them with funding and research commercialization. Another new initiative will facilitate exchange programs for Armenian researchers at IBM partner universities in the United States.

On the margins of its grand opening event, ISTC also launched the “Smarter Armenia Hackathon ’16,” a two-day contest for students, challenging them to create the best IT solutions in finance, healthcare, and the telecommunications industry.

On a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with the heads of a number of investment and development companies.

The interlocutors hailed the warm friendly relations between Armenia and the Arab world, especially the United Arab Emirates. They noted, however, that the economic ties do not correspond to the high-level political dialogue.

The heads of investment and development companies noted that the Armenian President’s visit to UAE and the meetings with the leadership of the country are a testament to the willingness of the parties to intensify the relations in the trade and economic sphere.

They assured of their interest in investment programs in Armenia and pledged their willingness to discuss Armenia’s proposals on cooperation in different spheres, to visit the country and study the environment on the ground.

President Sargsyan informed the participants of the meeting that the Armenian side has prepared strategic investment packages, which he keeps in the spotlight. The President said UAE investments in different spheres of the Armenian economy are welcome, and added that large investors will be offered privileges conditions.

A Hungarian Parliament panel has rejected an Armenian Genocide recognition bill submitted by the Green Party, which holds five seats in the 199-member Parliament reports, quoting Turkish media.

The bill failed to pass the Foreign Relations Committee because of the vote of the Fidesz and Jobbik parties.

Marton Gyongyosi of the Jobbik Party, vice-chairman of the Hungarian National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said “the issue should be left to historians and international law experts.”

“Hungarian lawmakers should not be concerned about what Pope Francis, politicians and parliaments of other countries say,” he said.

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today Euromotors Company to attend the inauguration of “BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce” exhibition hall.

The opening ceremony was also attended by co-owner of Euromotors, Prince Group President Adel Al Marzuki, BMW Group Vice President Thomas Rhein, Company Sales Director Konrad Baumgartner, Regional Director Victor Eisenbraun, Director of Euromotors Jaber Al Marzuki, co-owner of Euromotors, founder of Multi Group concern Gagik Tsarukyan, Armenian officials.

Accompanied by them, the President of Armenia toured the newly built exhibition hall, which is the largest such facility in the region. After being told about the new jobs and the investments made so far, Serzh Sargsyan was shown the exhibits on display.