Author: Antranik Varosian

UAE-based Mubadala investment company looking into setting up venture funds in Armenia

Antranik Varosian
ARKA, Armenia
Oct 7 2019

YEREVAN, October 7. /ARKA/. The UAE-based Mubadala Investment Company is looking into the possibility of setting up venture funds in Armenia, Khomein Al Shimmari, the head of the Aviation and Engineering Services Division at Mubadala Investment, said today at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, in Yerevan.

“We have good impressions of the technological sector of Armenia and we are interested in cooperation, in particular, in the formation of venture capital funds,” the press service of the Armenian government quoted Al Shimmari as saying.

It said the sides exchanged thoughts on the prospects of partnership in the IT sphere. Pashinyan was said to have spoken about political changes in the country, noting that serious steps are being taken to overcome systemic corruption with the aim of raising the investment attractiveness of the Armenian economy.

“Our strategy is to develop the technological sphere, which has huge potential. The IT sector in our country is developing dynamically, we have created the Ministry of High Technology Industry and the possible cooperation with your company is interesting to us,” Pashinyan noted.

Representatives of Mubadala Investment Company are in Armenia to attend the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT-2019), which is being held in Yerevan on October 6-9.

In Armenia, in April 2019, an agreement was signed between the United Nations Development Program and Granatus Ventures on the establishment of the Granatus Tech4SDG venture capital fund. –0-


My administration has laid out a vision for Armenia which places IT as its core, says PM

Antranik Varosian

My administration has laid out a vision for Armenia which places IT as its core, says PM

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 16:34, 5 October, 2019

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia has declared ICT to be a sector of strategic importance and is ready to reform the education system, modernize strategic infrastructures and invest in human capital to make the country a technological global leader, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a welcoming address ahead of the upcoming World Congress on Information Technologies (WCIT 2019) which will take place in Yerevan.

“Dear international guests, distinguished speakers and Armenian compatriots,

It is my privilege and great pleasure to welcome you all to the World Congress on Information Technology held in Armenia. I sincerely hope that over the next three days you will have a chance to enjoy everything that Yerevan has to offer.

I am extremely proud to learn that this is the first time in the WCIT’s 40-year history that the Congress is taking place in a small nation like Armenia. The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) represents 90 percent of the global ICT community and frequently influences international public policy in IT matters.

The WITSA’s decision to hold this Congress in Yerevan is a compelling acknowledgement of Armenia’s status as a global technology hub.

Innovation and enterprise have long been central pillars of Armenian identity. Throughout history the Armenian people have produced scientists, engineers and inventors, who have disproportionately contributed to the progress of humanity and the raising of global living standards. As a Soviet Republic, Armenia nurtured a technology ecosystem which garnered it a reputation as “the Silicon Valley of the Soviet Union”. Since independence, Armenia has consolidated its position as a technology-driven economy.

The Government of Armenia has declared ICT as a strategic are of focus, passing legislation designed to attract international technology firms, and nurture a native industry. My administration has laid out a vision for our country which places IT as its core. In order to reach our goal of turning Armenia into a global tech leader, we are committed to reforming our education system, upgrading strategic infrastructure and investing in human resources.

Today Armenian startups boast a significant presence in Silicon Valley. Armenia’s technological prowess continues to be felt throughout the tech ecosystem, be it at large tech giants or innovative startups. To ensure the preeminence of Armenian tech well into the future, we will multiply our efforts to promote the proper educational and institutional infrastructure to meet the needs of a dynamically developing industry. This will allow local firms as well as multinational corporations to operate in Armenia while benefiting from the Armenian Diaspora’s strong network and vast resources.

As the host-country for the WCIT 2019, Armenia provides an invaluable setting which will gather the world’s leading thought-leaders, business leaders and political figures to discuss some of the most significant questions facing the future of technology, the results of which may have far-reaching social, economic and political ramifications for all of humankind.

I am certain that Armenia will live up to the critical role that we have taken on.

Looking forward to welcoming you to Armenia,” the Armenian PM said in the address published in the online brochure of WCIT 2019.

Working group will be set up under the Public Council to study the development of the Amulsar mine

Antranik Varosian
Arminfo, Armenia
Oct 5 2019

ArmInfo. A working group with  the participation of experts will be set up at the Public Council of  Armenia to study the development of the Amulsar mine. Based on the  analysis of facts and the results of relevant studies submitted by  all interested parties, the position of the Public Council regarding  the development of the mine will be formed.

It should be noted that Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of the British  Lydian International. The life of the deposit will be 10 years and 4  months, with an average of 200 thousand ounces of gold planned to be  mined annually. Amulsar field is the second largest reserve in  Armenia. According to the company, the deposit contains about 73733  kg of gold with an average grade of 0.78 g per ton, as well as  294.367 tons of silver with an average grade of 9.29 g per ton.

The development of the field will increase the country’s GDP by 1% –  4%, 1% of which will be a direct impact. Finished products, which  will be almost completely exported, will be about $ 250 million. As a  result, the impact on export growth is estimated at about 10%.   Nevertheless, local ecologists do not share the enthusiasm of the  government about the attractiveness of the mine exploitation plan.  The Amulsar mine is located in the valley of the Arpa and Vorotan  rivers, in the immediate vicinity of the spa town of Jermuk, famous  for its mineral springs, and not far from the largest freshwater lake  in the region, Sevan. Environmentalists fear that the exploitation of  the field, during which sodium cyanide will be used, could lead to  the oxidation of water in rivers. Contaminated waters will become  unsuitable for drinking and irrigation and may cause irreparable harm  to the mineral springs of Jermuk and the ecosystem of Sevan.

MP Tatevik Hayrapetyan speaks about human rights in Azerbaijan at PACE

Antranik Varosian
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MP Tatevik Hayrapetyan speaks about human rights in Azerbaijan at PACE

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 20:38,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. MP representing ”My step” bloc Tatevik Hayrapetyan referred to the issues of ethnic minorities and human rights, as well as repeating cases of hatred in sports in Azerbaijan in her speech at the PACE autumn session.

ARMENPRESS reports she emphasized that those issues are the core values of the Council of Europe.

”First, the issue of minority and human rights. As you might already have heard a well know Talish activist Fahraddin Aboszoda who is imprisoned in Azerbaijan for his activities, few days ago announced a hunger strike as a sign of the protest against tortures and psychological pressure. Talish people are one of the native minority nations in Azerbaijan and I think we can’t stay indifferent to this case and should keep an eye and take requested measures to prevent abuses towards national minorities in CoE member countries. This is also a serious matter of human rights issue!

The second important issue I would like to tackle is already the repeated cases of hatred in sport. Unfortunately, last time we tried to show that the obvious discriminated attitude in Azerbaijan towards Armenian football player Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his funs is a quite vivid example of hatred in sport which is unacceptable in CoE, but CoE Secretariat decided to address the topic only by a written declaration. As a result, we got another case of hatred when Armenian chess champion Maria Gevorgyan at the behest of the Azerbaijani delegation was removed from Tournament in Turkey. In accordance with the explanation of the Turkish organizer they had to withdraw the invitation because Azerbaijani chess players had asserted that if there was an Armenian in the tournament, they would refuse to participate. I am more than convinced that despite of conflicts, disagreements and arguments CoE member states can have, the sport is one of those special areas where discrimination has no place, where these kind of cases should be voiced and prevented immediately. Let’s not close our eyes and take requested actions to exclude the abuses and hatred in sport. Thank you for your attention!”, Tatevik Hayrapetyan said.

Armenian community of Singapore to have pastor soon

Antranik Varosian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 30 2019
Armenian community of Singapore to have pastor soon (PHOTOS) Armenian community of Singapore to have pastor soon (PHOTOS)

15:41, 30.09.2019
                  

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Monday hosted—at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is in Armenia on an official visit.

The Catholicos attached importance to the contacts between the two countries, and which—as per Karekin II—are developing and encompassing new domains.

He touched also upon the historical relations between the Armenian and Singaporean peoples, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Singapore, and noted that the Armenian community of this country will soon have a pastor.

The PM of Singapore, in turn, reflected on relations between the two countries, and the prospects for further development of their cooperation.

Also, Lee Hsien Loong confirmed that the Armenian community of Singapore has greatly contributed to the life of the country. Furthermore, he referred to Singapore’s historic Armenian church which is the first Christian house of worship in the region, as well as to the freedoms for the national minorities and religious communities in Singapore.

After the meeting, the delegation led by Singapore’s prime minister visited the treasury of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation Offers Major Support for Gyumri’s "Domik" Families

Antranik Varosian

PRESS RELEASE

The Paros Foundation

2217 5th Street

Berkeley, CA  94710

Contact:  Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Tel:  310-400-9061

E-mail:  [email protected]

web: www.parosfoundation.org


Los Angeles, CA—Since the beginning of the year, Jack Youredjian and the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation has offered major support to The Paros Foundation allocated to the move of seven families from their domiks to modern apartments in Gyumri, Armenia.  Most of these people have spent their entire lives in domiks-first as children following the earthquake, and later as adults with no other economic opportunities.

 

“My mother, Marguerite Youredjian, spent years following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake in Gyumri helping hundreds of families who lost their homes and family members,” said Philanthropist Jack Youredjian, “my heart breaks when I see children living in these horrible conditions, and I want to do my part to try and help.”

 

The Paros Foundation’s Purchase a Home project has moved a total of 20 families to date, from inadequate wagons, containers and temporary shelters into clean, modern and safe apartments in Gyumri.  Whenever possible, families are also given needed appliances, furniture and additional humanitarian support.  Many of the families’ children also attend, or are invited to attend, the afterschool programs at the Debi Arach Children’s Center, which was launched by and is supported through The Paros Foundation.

 

“The housing crisis continues to effect more than 2,000 families in Gyumri. I commend Jack Youredjian and his family for their commitment to help children living in terrible conditions,” said Peter Abajian, Paros Foundation Executive Director.  “Our program goals in Gyumri are two-fold, to help move as many families from domiks into apartments as possible; and secondly to work diligently through our programs at Debi Arach to empower many of these children to break their families’ cycle of poverty through academic success, career planning and vocational training. “

 

The Paros Foundation was launched in 2006 and has implemented more than $6.6 million worth of projects in Armenia through its unique model of philanthropy and community partnership.  These projects are located throughout the country-with the majority of work focused in Gyumri and in the Tavush Region, along the border with Azerbaijan.  Thanks to the generous support of Paros Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch, all administrative expenses are underwritten, allowing 100% of donor contributions to be allocated in their entirety to the projects. To support this and other projects of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.  

 

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Armenia debates security services shakeups

Antranik Varosian
EurasiaNet.org
Sept 27 2019
Ani Mejlumyan Sep 27, 2019 
           
  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, center, and Artur Vanetsyan, right, in happier times. Vanetsyan was head of the National Security Service until his surprise resignation on September 16; since then the two men have been publicly feuding. (photo: primeminister.am)

An ongoing feud between Armenia’s prime minister and its recently resigned top security official has led to fevered speculation in Armenia about further upheavals.

The head of the National Security Service, Artur Vanetsyan, announced his resignation on September 16. Insinuations of treachery and scheming quickly followed, with Vanetsyan cryptically accusing the government of mismanagement and a spokesman for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan suggesting that Vanetsyan remained loyal to the former regime, which Pashinyan overthrew last year.

The war of words has only escalated since then. While on a visit to Los Angeles on September 23, Pashinyan said that Vanetsyan’s statement was equivalent to “throwing his epaulets in the trash.” The same day, Vanetsyan shot back. “Pashinyan is again working under the idea that ‘whoever is not with us is a traitor.’ How long will he keep manipulating the public like this?” he told the newspaper Hraparak in an interview. He said he would continue to talk “without any consideration for the consequences” and that “time will show what or who will be thrown in the trash.”

Vanetsyan’s departure was followed by another high-level security cadre shakeup. Chief of police Valery Osipyan was relieved of his duties on September 18. But the same day it was announced that Pashinyan had appointed Osipyan – another holdover from the former regime notorious for his harsh treatment of the then-opposition – as his adviser.

As of now, it is not known who will replace either Osipyan or Vanetsyan. Shortly after the resignations, parliament passed new regulations loosening the requirements for holding the posts, effectively making them equivalent to the requirements for being a member of parliament. Many saw the move as opening the way for more political figures to assume the roles. “As you know, almost everyone is qualified to become a member of parliament,” joked the political satire show Armcomedy. “And of course those two things [the resignations and the new law] have nothing to do with each other. It’s a coincidence.” 

Meanwhile, parliament has begun proceedings to remove another former regime holdover, chairman of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan.

“After a quite turbulent 16 months, Pashinyan has decided to get the situation under control and stabilize it under his unquestioned control before it’s too late,” wrote analyst Hrant Mikaelian in a blog post about the various moves. “It’s possible to trust Pashinyan and see this as a decision that will lead to a stabilization of the situation under his command. But it will be possible to know only with time, as Pashinyan doesn’t have the sufficient experience and understanding of government work to rely on.”

Of all the moves, it was Vanetsyan’s dramatic departure that held the most intrigue.

Vanetsyan had taken a higher profile than had previous heads of the NSS, regularly giving press conferences and becoming a household name. Many counted him as the second most powerful person in Armenia, and speculation quickly turned to whether he might present a political challenge to Pashinyan.

“The way I read his statement, he is talking about creating a party,” Edmon Marukyan, the leader of the opposition party Bright Armenia, told journalists.  

But some were skeptical of how effective Vanetsyan could be politically. “When these statements began after the resignation, for some reason, maybe Vanetsyan himself also believed that he had some kind of political standing,” said journalist Yuri Manvelyan in an interview with RFE/RL. “It was often mentioned that he was among the most popular officials. But he does not have any political weight or standing – this is Pashinyan’s standing.”

Vanetsyan’s acrimonious departure again shed light on his previous ties to the former authorities. Vanetsyan had been spotted in early September in Moscow meeting with prominent businessman and ally of the former regime Samvel Karapetyan, the government-friendly anonymous Telegram channel Bagramyan 26 reported.

“It is extremely worrying that the former head of the secret service of Armenia, who undoubtedly possesses important information, is ready to satisfy his political, or rather, careerist aspirations via Moscow,” wrote news website 1in.am in an analysis.

While the Vanetsyan-Karapetyan meeting caused furious speculation in Yerevan, it may have been misinformation; Vanetsyan denied that he had met the businessman and other reports suggested the incriminating photos may not have been of Karapetyan at all.

Rumors also swirled around Vanetsyan’s ties with Mikael Minasyan, the son in law of Serzh Sargsyan, the president whom Pashinyan ousted last year, but the ex-NSS man denied them. “Do not dare to tie me with him [Minasyan],” Vanetsyan told reporters.

Immediately after his resignation, Vanetsyan headed to Moscow – it is unknown for what purpose – but before he left he suggested that he was in fact considering getting into politics. “At the moment I am not going to comment on my political future,” he said. Time will pass, and I will make my decision.”

Ani Mejlumyan is a reporter based in Yerevan.

Rep. Jamie Raskin Celebrates Armenia’s Commitment to Democracy and Thanks Rep. Jackie Speier for Bolstering U.S.-Armenia Relations

Antranik Varosian

ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:

Contact:
Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian

Telephone:
(202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

REP. JAMIE RASKIN CELEBRATES
ARMENIA’S COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY AND THANKS REP. JACKIE SPEIER FOR BOLSTERING
U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) celebrated Armenia’s commitment to
democracy and thanked Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) for bolstering U.S.-Armenia
relations.

 

Rep. Raskin
stated: “…I join you in spirit to celebrate Armenia’s remarkable political
transition and commitment to democracy. I would also like to join you in
recognizing my sensational and ubiquitous colleague, Congresswoman Jackie
Speier, who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to solidifying democracy
in Armenia and to strengthening relations between our two countries.”

 

“As co-chair
of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Congresswoman Speier has been a
fierce advocate for humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Artsakh and has
highlighted the importance of strong U.S.-Armenia relations. She has also
worked to educate the world about Armenia’s history in an effort to prevent
future atrocities,” he added.

 

Congresswoman
Speier was honored for her exemplary work in the U.S. House of Representatives,
as well as her leadership, dedication, and passionate support of Armenia and
Artsakh. Armenian American leaders and activists throughout the United States
attended the Gala in Washington, D.C., which was part of the Armenian Assembly
of America’s 2019 National Advocacy Conference.

 

“I am grateful
for Congresswoman Speier’s leadership and her work to bolder the U.S. Armenia
partnership,” Rep. Raskin said.

 

The full
letter is available at bit.ly/raskin2019

 

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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

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NR#: 2019-049

Armenia opposition MP: I proposed to add Nationwide Solidarity Day to our calendar of holidays

Antranik Varosian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 14 2019
Armenia opposition MP: I proposed to add Nationwide Solidarity Day to our calendar of holidays Armenia opposition MP: I proposed to add Nationwide Solidarity Day to our calendar of holidays

16:45, 14.09.2019

YEREVAN. – Given this tension and hatred that has emerged within the public, we are developing a new draft. I have proposed to debate on and add to our calendar of holidays a new holiday: Nationwide Solidarity Day, trying to soften these relations a little. Sergey Bagratyan, a member of the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction in the National Assembly, noted this at a press conference on Saturday.

In his words, that day shall be celebrated in August, on Navasard—the ancient Armenian New Year.

“We have found the foundations of this draft from still back when Armenians have celebrated the New Year on [August] the 11—with our holiday calendar, formerly—on August 1,” he said. “And the most important meaning of that holiday lies in that fact that this holiday become nationwide, and, on that day, all adversaries, people having inimical relations definitely reconcile and start a new life.”

The lawmaker noted that Armenians have no other national agenda except for the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Armenian Genocide issues.

LHK faction expects MP Arman Babajanyan to return mandate

Antranik Varosian

LHK faction expects MP Arman Babajanyan to return mandate

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 14:35, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Lusavor Hayastan (Bright Armenia, LHK) faction of the Armenian Parliament expects MP Arman Babajanyan to return his mandate of lawmaker, LHK spokesperson Aren Petunts said on Facebook shortly after the MP announced he is quitting the faction.

“Lusavor Hayastan faction respects Mr. Arman Babajanyan’s principled stance and expects him to return with the same principled manner the mandate he has received by the Lusavor Hayastan Party proportional list. We thank Mr. Babajanyan for his work at the Lusavor Hayastan faction and we wish him good luck in his future activities,” Petunts said.

Member of Parliament Arman Babajanyan from the opposition Lusavor Hayastan (Bright Armenia) Party has announced his intentions to quit his membership to the faction, but he said he is still undecided whether or not he will remain an independent lawmaker or he will quit at all.

“We haven’t seen creativity, pro-activeness and innovation from the opposition. The opposition has failed in being better that the government, its mission of the future’s hope, just like it has failed in its highly important role of being an alternative to the government. The abovementioned reasons and factors are making me no longer compatible with the Lusavor Hayastan faction of the National Assembly, which unfortunately has made me to make the difficult decision of leaving it. I will announce it at the beginning of the upcoming sitting of parliament. I will soon announce whether I am also refusing from the mandate of lawmaker or if I will continue my active political activities as an independent lawmaker,” Babajanyan said in a Facebook statement.

He also mentioned several other reasons for withdrawing from the faction.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan