Author: Ara Felekian

Pashinyan turned Armenia into a ‘tool’ against regional countries, political analyst says

Ara Felekian
Panorama
Armenia – Feb 28 2023

Armenia has become a “tool” against the regional countries due to the polices of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration, political analyst Alen Ghevondyan claims.

“The outlook for the future gives reason for worst predictions, because Armenia will be divided between the neighboring countries both politically (zones of influence) and, perhaps, territorially conditioned by their national security interests,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday.

“The West will incite provocations, and naturally, having failed, it will step aside, after which, according to the Armenian political tradition, they will start cursing their fate, forgetting about rational thinking.

“I assume that some parts of Armenia will be under joint administration. Moreover, at least one more foreign military contingent will be deployed to Armenia.

“When Armenia’s current prime minister invites the Western powers to Armenian territory to continue the confrontation with Russia on its soil, as a result of which nothing will remain of Armenia, he does not say that, in addition to confrontation with Russia, he provides the country’s territory for a possible operation against Iran,” the expert stated.

Lavrov: Setup of checkpoints in Lachin corridor not envisaged

Ara Felekian
Panorama
Armenia – Feb 28 2023

The Lachin corridor should operate in conformity with the trilateral statement of the Russian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani leaders dated November 9, 2020, which has no provisions on any checkpoints, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday after talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, TASS reported.

“The regime of its [the Lachin corridor] operation should be fully in in line with the first trilateral statement dated November 9-10, 2020, which means that free movement for solely civilians and humanitarian cargoes must be ensured. This is what we want to achieve, first of all with the help of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. It doesn’t envisage the establishment of any checkpoints,” he said.

According to the Russian top diplomat, it is possible to “remove suspicions” about the use of the corridor “by technical means.” “We touched that upon today. Technical details are of secondary importance,” he added.

Armenia, United Arab Emirates discuss military cooperation

Ara Felekian

Save

Share

 13:02,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with the Minister of State for Defense Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi in the UAE.

Minister of High Tech Industry of Armenia Robert Khachatryan also participated in the meeting, the defense ministry said in a press release.

“The current course and prospects of development of the military and military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United Arab Emirates were discussed. At the end of the meeting, Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan invited the UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs to visit the Republic of Armenia,” reads the read-out.

New delegation from European Parliament to visit Armenia on fact-finding mission

Ara Felekian

Save

Share

 14:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. French Members of the European Parliament Sylvie Guillaume and François Alfonsi, the co-chairs of the Friendship Group with Artsakh at the European Parliament, and Hungarian Member of the European Parliament and member of the Friendship Group with Artsakh Attila Ara-Kovacs will be in Armenia on a fact-finding mission from February 21 to 24, the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) said in a press release.

EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian and other EAFJD representatives will accompany the delegation in Armenia.

The agenda of the visit includes meetings with the legislative and executive authorities, the Catholicos Karekin II, the opposition, and the Foreign Minister of Artsakh. A separate meeting with the ARF representatives is also planned.

On February 22, the delegation will visit Syunik province and the communities affected in the latest Azerbaijani aggression.

Another EP delegation was in Armenia in October of 2022. The EAFJD credited the members of that delegation with having an important role in the EP in the adoption of documents related to Armenia, namely the Humanitarian Consequences of the Blockade in Nagorno Karabakh resolution and the 2021-2022 report on the EU-Armenia relations.

Government seeks to boost textile industry to promote Made in Armenia products in international markets

Ara Felekian

Save

Share

 09:54,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government plans to increase the output and exports of textile industry in three years and make the Armenian products more competitive in the international market.

Deputy Minister of Economy Rafayel Gevorgyan told ARMENPRESS that the government has seen a significant potential for growth in the sector. In the past decade, textile industry grew around 40% annually.

The Armenia 2023-2026 Textile Industry Development Program and Action Plan includes projects aimed at boosting productivity.

“We expect output to grow 1,8 times as a result of implementing the program,” Gevorgyan said. “We believe that as a result of the output growth our products will become more competitive in the international market, and exports will grow. Now we have a bit over €200 million in exports, and we believe that in 2027, after completing the program, we will have over €500 million in exports,” he added.

Major projects in the action plan include the government support for capacity development in the educational sector and assistance for entrepreneurs in this direction, increasing the efficiency and modernization of business processes for companies and technological re-equipment, and also export-oriented actions such as promotion of participation in expos and promotion of sales in target markets.

The program includes government subsidy of 20-70% of salary for employees with respective qualification: i.e. a degree from one of the top 400 universities of the world.  The move is aimed at attracting qualified specialists in companies.

There are over 30 medium and major textile industry companies in Armenia, with over 200 small enterprises. The government wants the small companies to benefit from the program and enhance their size.

The program is aimed at making the Armenian products more competitive in international markets in terms of quality and value.

Clothing of several European brands is already being made in Armenia, such as Moncler and MaxMara. “You’ll find many jackets in European stores with “Made in Armenia” written on them. This trend continues. Our producers are now negotiating with different countries, including with Canadian companies, in order to render more services.”

The Russian market is also now rather attractive for the Armenian textile production and many opportunities are available, the deputy minister said.

The official said products made in Armenia must also be promoted in the domestic market, in order to shape a certain attitude among consumers. Gevorgyan said they want Made in Armenia to be a “high quality standard and also pride” for Armenian consumers.

Speaking about the rating of Armenian products in international markets, the deputy minister said that in the traditional markets, such as the post-Soviet states, the Armenian products have a certain legacy. “In post-Soviet countries people associate Armenian footwear with high quality. This legacy is still in place. We see many Russian consumers who come to Armenia and buy footwear,” Gevorgyan said.

Gevorgyan mentioned the promotion campaign last year when Armenian designers presented their collections at the Milan Fashion Week.

The ministry will focus on the Italian, German and French markets. “Russia is also a target market. We have some ideas concerning the Arab market too. The Emirates is the center of many trade events,” the deputy minister added.

Interview by Anna Grigoryan

Photos by Hayk Badalyan




Education Minister of Armenia, Czech Ambassador discuss measures to strengthen cooperation

Ara Felekian

Save

Share

 19:59,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 15, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan and Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan met with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Armenia Petr Pirunčík to discuss the steps aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and development opportunities.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, welcoming the Ambassador, noted that the meeting is a good opportunity to outline future actions within the framework of cooperation between the two countries.

According to the minister, there is considerable progress in the direction of a number of joint projects, in particular, the activities stipulated in the agreement “On cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Czech Republic in the fields of culture, education, youth, science and sports” continue to be implemented.

The minister also informed that the draft of the extension of the agreement “On cooperation in the fields of education and science between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic” was developed and transferred to the Czech side, with which the bilateral cooperation will continue with a development perspective.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Armenia also emphasized the importance of interaction between the two countries and universities, assured that they are ready to support their strengthening and expansion.

The parties referred to the programs of student exchange, interstate scholarships, and other issues of bilateral interest.

Memory of Saint Hieromartyr Gregory the Illuminator of Greater Armenia

Ara Felekian
Sept 30 2022
Sep 30, 2022 | 11:50

 

in Spirituality

 

Hieromartyr Gregory was the son of a relative of the king of Armenia and lived in the time of the pagan emperor Diocletian. He was catechized in the Christian faith and then embraced it by receiving the Holy Baptism in Caesarea, Cappadocia. After being ordained a Presbyter, he went to Armenia to spread the Holy Gospel.

In Armenia, his relative tried to persuade him to make sacrifices to idols and return to his native religion. Gregory’s negative attitude angered the pagan ruler, who insulted him and led him to torture. Despite the hardships he suffered, he remained steadfast in the faith in the Savior Christ and the Orthodox faith.

After many miraculous events, the pagan ruler repented of his previous life and asked for God’s grace. After being catechized, he was baptized in the name of The Holy Triune God.

The entry of the Armenian ruler into the Church led many of his compatriots to the path of true faith. The fervent faith of the clergy, the steadfastness of words and deeds as much as possible in their lives and the courageous Christian confession contribute on the one hand to the spread and consolidation of the holy Gospel in the world and on the other to the real social prosperity of God’s people.

Source: Church of Cyprus

https://orthodoxtimes.com/memory-of-saint-hieromartyr-gregory-the-illuminator-of-greater-armenia-2/

Calling for the Immediate Cessation of Hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Ara Felekian
U.S. Embassy in Georgia
Sept 13 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

The United States is deeply concerned about reports of attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including reported strikes against settlements and civilian infrastructure inside Armenia.  As we have long made clear, there can be no military solution to the conflict.  We urge an end to any military hostilities immediately.

https://ge.usembassy.gov/calling-for-the-immediate-cessation-of-hostilities-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan/

Billionaire Ruben Vardanyan announced the renunciation of Russian citizenship and moving to Artsakh

Ara Felekian
Sept 3 2022
By

 Teilor Stone

 –

September 3, 2022

Billionaire Ruben Vardanyan published a video message on his social networks in which he announced the renunciation of Russian citizenship and moving to the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) against the backdrop of aggravation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Recall that the countries have not yet signed a peace agreement, despite the end of the active phase of the Second Karabakh War in November 2020.

I made a decision, realizing the risks I was taking, to renounce Russian citizenship and move to Artsakh (the self-name of the NKR — Note ed.). This decision was very difficult, but so right. I hope my Russian partners and friends will accept this decision of mine as the decision of their friend.

Vardanyan explained his move with a desire to support local residents. He noted that the conflicting parties must go through “a gradual way to reduce the degree of hatred.” He also expressed gratitude to Russia for the presence of peacekeepers on the territory of the unrecognized republic and appealed to the world community to pay attention to the conflict between Yerevan and Baku.

The news was commented on by former Tatler columnist Yunia Pugacheva in her telegram channel.

Perhaps we are also observing optimization to preserve assets and fortunes, because it is known that Ruben Karlenovich created holder structures not only for himself, but also for a very large group of Russian officials and oligarchs just from the time of Troika. And maybe we’re watching the — “the new president of Armenia/prime minister”, since it is obvious that the current political situation in Armenia is unstable and its pro-Russian position is due to the hopelessness of both the geographical position and the material. And, apparently, the Kremlin does not see a reliable comrade in any of the current Armenian politicians. But Ruben Karlenovich — It’s another matter, your man.

It is quite obvious that simply going to Artsakh to protect the interests of Armenia did not require at all to give up a Russian passport. Unlike Ukraine, there are no problems with dual citizenship in Armenia. Since it is almost impossible to get out of Russian citizenship (it takes years), it is clear that Vardanyan had support in this matter. (author’s spelling and punctuation preserved. — Ed.)

Ruben Vardanyan — Russian billionaire of Armenian origin, one of the founders of the Troika Dialog brokerage company, which was bought by Sberbank in 2011. Forbes estimates his fortune at $1 billion. In 2021, Vardanyan took 116th place in the list of the richest people in Russia according to the publication.

Lavrov says Yerevan, Baku and Moscow have made progress in reaching agreements

Ara Felekian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Aug 31 2022
, 18:40

 1 minute read

The trilateral working group consisting of representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia has made significant progress in reaching agreements on the unblocking transport links in the South Caucasus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, TASS reports.

“The issues of unblocking trade, economic, transport ties in the South Caucasus are being handled by a trilateral group chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is working rhythmically, contacts on delimitation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia were held recently. This trilateral working group, established by the decision of the three presidents of November 9, 2020, has made significant progress in reaching agreements. I hope they will be formalized in the very near future. What is especially important s that this work is not carried out in a vacuum, not in isolation, but in close coordination with broader transport projects, including the North-South corridor project, which our Iranian partners are also interested in,” he said.

Abdollahian noted, in turn, that Iran has a very privileged geopolitical position. ” We see the strengthening of transit routes, including the diversified North-South routes, s an important factor for development, as well as for food security in this region,” he added. The Iranian Foreign Minister also expressed the country’s readiness to complete the construction of the unfinished section of Rasht – Astara.