Armenia’s High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan with representatives of the Armenian National Committee of Moscow
As he continues his visit to Russia, Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan met on Sunday with representatives of the Armenian National Committee of Moscow.
“There is an air of unity. You were able to, in a unique way, bring everyone together,” said Nerses Nersesyan, the executive director of the ANC Moscow office in welcoming Sinanyan.
The high commissioner emphasized the need for various organizations in the Diaspora to work in a coordinated manner, and presented his vision for advancing Diaspora-Armenia relations.
“Wherever I go I am always a soldier for our homeland,” Sinanyan told the ANC Moscow representatives.
Sinanyan, who since being appointed to his position, has said that the Armenian community of Russia will be a focal point of his mission, traveled to Russia last week and began meeting with various Armenian organizational representatives and community members.
On Sunday, he visited the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral and met with parishioners. Sinanyan also visited Armenian communities in St. Petersburg, Yaroslav and Tver.
In Moscow, he met with cultural leaders and youth, emphasizing to them that a new generation of Armenians has a decisive role to play in advancing the homeland. He also touched on the key role the artists and the creative community can play in the process.
Tuesday,
Armenian Speaker Rules Out Support For U.S. Sanctions Against Iran
U.S. -- Armenian parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan (C) speaks at the Atlantic
Council in Washington, .
The United States should not pressure Armenia to cut commercial ties to
neighboring Iran because of U.S. sanctions against Tehran, parliament speaker
Ararat Mirzoyan has said during a visit to Washington.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think-tank, on Monday,
Mirzoyan said that the standoff between the U.S. and Iran is already having a
negative impact on the Armenian economy.
“We don’t want the United States to put pressure on Armenia for joining in its
Iran sanctions agenda,” the Armenian service of the Voice of America quoted him
as saying. “Armenia cannot pay such a price.”
Mirzoyan argued that Iran serves as one of his landlocked country’s two
conduits to the outside world due to closed borders with the two other Muslim
neighbors: Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Armenian speaker, who is a close associate of Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian, commented on the “very interesting and heated discussion” at the
Atlantic Council on his Facebook page on Tuesday. “I informed American partners
that our economy is suffering losses due to the sanctions against Iran and that
we cannot stop buying Iranian gas,” he wrote.
Armenia - U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a news
conference in Yerevan, 25 October 2018.
Iran has supplied up to 500 million cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia
annually over the past decade. The latter pays for it electricity supplied to
the Islamic Republic.
Iranian officials offered to expand this swap arrangement when they held talks
with Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian in Tehran earlier this
month. Grigorian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service last week that Yerevan is
interested in boosting Iranian gas imports.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed the U.S. sanctions with
Pashinian during an October 2018 trip to Armenia. Bolton said Washington will
be enforcing them “very vigorously” and that traffic through the
Armenian-Iranian border will therefore become a “significant issue.”
Iran - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei meets with Armenian Prime Minister
Nikol Pashinian in Tehran, February 27, 2019.
In November, a team of officials from the U.S. state and treasury departments
visited Yerevan to explain the sanctions to Armenia’s government and private
sector. Pashinian made clear afterwards that that his government will “deepen
not only economic but also political relations” with Tehran.
Meeting with Pashinian in the Iranian capital in February, Iran’s Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Armenia to strengthen its relationship with
his country “contrary to what the United States wants.” Iranian President
Hassan Rouhani likewise said after separate talks with the Armenian leader that
the two neighbors will not allow any “third country” to undermine their cordial
relationship.
Tsarukian Denounced By Press Freedom Groups
• Astghik Bedevian
Armenia - Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukian speaks to journalists
in Yerevan, February 12, 2019.
Armenian press freedom groups have condemned Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK)
leader Gagik Tsarukian for insulting an RFE/RL reporter and demanded
parliamentary proceedings against him.
Tsarukian raged at the reporter late last month after being asked to explain
why he keeps ignoring summonses sent to him by a law-enforcement body
investigating an arson attack reported in Abovian, a town near Yerevan that has
long been his political stronghold.
About a dozen media associations were quick to deplore Tsarukian’s behavior,
saying that he offended a journalist for the fourth time in a month. They
demanded an apology from the wealthy businessman leading the country’s largest
parliamentary opposition force. In a joint statement, they also said that the
National Assembly should take disciplinary action against him.
Tsarukian sarcastically laughed when he was asked about the apology demanded by
the non-governmental organizations.
Ashot Melikian, who leads one of those NGOs, the Committee to Protect Freedom
of Speech, stood by their demands on Tuesday. He said the parliament has
sufficient grounds to form an ad hoc ethics commission that would investigate
Tsarukian’s behavior.
“Either he must reconsider his conduct or, I think, we will ensure that his
fellow parliament deputies make an appropriate evaluation,” Melikian told
RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
Sisak Gabrielian, a former journalist who is now a parliament deputy
representing the ruling My Step alliance, said he wants to talk to Tsarukian
and urge him publicly offer an apology.
“Perhaps he really doesn’t realize that his remarks contained some offensive
elements … I think I will manage to clinch from him that apology to the
journalists,” said Gabrielian.
Member Of Armenian Judicial Watchdog Rejected By Colleagues
• Nane Sahakian
Armenia -- A sign at the entance to the Supreme Judicial Council.
Three officials sitting on the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) challenged on
Tuesday the legitimacy of another member of the state body overseeing Armenia’s
courts who was sworn in last week.
Nakhshun Tavaratsian, a controversial Court of Cassation judge, was elected to
the SJC by fellow judges in November only to tender her resignation ten days
later. She unexpectedly changed her mind and took an oath of office during the
latest conference of the country’s judges held on July 11.
Tavaratsian argued that she can join the SJC because her resignation was never
accepted. She dismissed objections voiced by some judges.
“Just because a few judges could not restrain their emotions during the
conference doesn’t mean that my legitimacy is in doubt … I was elected and
sworn in as member of the SJC in a manner defined by the law,” she said.
However, three other members of the SJC -- Grigor Bekmezian, Liparit
Melikjanian and Hayk Hovannisian -- issued on Tuesday a joint statement saying
that Tavaratsian technically joined the council in November. Citing the
Armenian Judicial Code, they said she must be expelled from it for absenteeism.
The SJC will meet on Thursday to discuss their demands for termination of her
duties. Its website does not list Tavaratsian among SJC members.
Senior representatives of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s My Step alliance
have also expressed concern over Tavaratsian’s appointment to the judicial
watchdog.
The veteran judge, who took the bench in 1996, could not be reached for comment.
The Armenian constitution gives the SJC wide-ranging powers, including the
right to nominate, sanction and even fire judges. Half of its ten members are
appointed by the Armenian parliament while the five others are chosen by the
country’s judges.
The SJC was effectively paralyzed last month by the resignations of its
chairman, Gagik Harutiunian, and four other members, which followed a radical
reform of the Armenian judicial system demanded by Pashinian. The latter said
that many judges remain linked to “the former corrupt system.”
Pashinian has repeatedly stated that he wants to make the courts “truly
independent.” His critics claim, however, that he is on the contrary seeking to
gain full control over them.
Press Review
“Zhamanak” reacts to the publication of a document that sheds some light on the
Venice Commission’s response to the Armenian authorities’ efforts to reform the
domestic judiciary. The paper says it shows that Armenia’s former leadership is
now “closer” to the Council of Europe body than the current government. “It was
always clear that former governing circles will use their experience and
mechanisms of working with the commission for the sake of their political
goals, including the goal of turning the commission into a platform for
pressure on the authorities,” it claims.
Lragir.am notes in this regard that President Armen Sarkissian and Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinian met on Monday. “Armen Sarkissian and Nikol Pashinian
certainly have a lot to discuss,” writes the online publication. “But the
disclosed information received from the Venice Commission served as a
noteworthy backdrop for their working meeting. It is evident that the former
authorities … managed to use the fact for creating a necessary impression.” It
speculates that Sarkisian’s meeting with Pashinian was a “preparation for the
response” to the Venice Commission. It says the authorities should also demand
explanations from the commission regarding the information “leak.”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says that every government effort to tackle major problems
facing the country ends in criticism of the former authorities. “One gets the
impression that [the authorities] fight against the past, instead of looking to
the future,” writes the pro-government paper. “The former rulers, for their
part, are buoyed by that and say ‘see, we are the main rivals of the
authorities, and every person unhappy with the authorities must stand with us.’
There are certainly objective reasons for constantly referring to the former
rulers. The causes of all problems lie in the past … But there is also a second
reason for that. In effect, what is happening in Armenia is a fight between the
new and the old. A fight not between the new and old authorities but between
new and old models of governance.”
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org
The water level in Lake Sevan should be lowered to carry out the cleaning works, after which it should be restored again, Prosperous Armenia party MP Hrant Madatyan said.
Minister of the Environment Erik Grigoryan, in turn, said the water level in Sevan should be both lowered and raised.
“Work on raising the water level in Lake Sevan should be carried out as quickly as possible,” he noted.
“Previously, the cleaning works affected 80 or 100 hectares per year, now, with the participation of the Prime Minister’s staff, the cleaning works will take place both this year and the next two years and will affect the territory of 770 hectares,” Grigoryan added.
Heads of Armenian, Russian Security Councils highlight bilateral and multilateral strategic partnership between the two countries
21:22,
YEREVAN, JUNE 18, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan had a working meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev on June 18 in Russia’s Ufa city.
As ARMENPRESS was informed fropm the Security Council of Armenia, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan highlighted the dynamic development of Armenia-Russian allied relations. Grigoryan also presented the economic reforms crried out in Armenia as a result of which Armenia recorded 7.1% GDP growth in the first quarter of tis year, while economic activity index rose by 9.2% in April. Secretary Grigoryan highligthed the role of Armenians living in Russia and Russians living in Armenia for the development of the Armenian-Russian strategic relations.
Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev highlighted the strategic relations etween Armenia and Russia in the sidelines of the CSTO and the EAEU, as well as bilateral relations.
Nikolai Patrushev once again thanked Armenia for providing humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the Syrian crisis.
The sides emphaiszed the absence of an alternative to the peaceful settkement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
The implementation of the cooperation plan between the two Security Council Offices was discussed. The side sgareed to hold the next meeting in August in Yerevan.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
15-year-old Russian-Armenian pianist Eva Gevorgyan won the $10,000 second prize of the 2019 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition held in Dallas, Texas, from 31 May to June 8.
The young pianist also received the Press Award (an additional prize of $500), Panorama.am learned from the official website of the competition.
Shuan Hern Lee, 16, of Australia won the $15,000 first prize, while South Korea’s JiWon Yang, 17, won the $5,000 third prize.
In the final round held on Saturday afternoon, each of the finalists performed full concertos with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Ruth Reinhardt. A total of 23 pianists aged 13-17 took part in the competition.
Eva is studying at the music school under the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. She has been playing the piano since 3 years of age. Eva has been taking part in international music competitions and festivals since she was 15 years old, winning all of them.
According to the experts, Eva does not simply play; she strives to convey the music to the audience in its full depth and beauty.
Webpage: www.
Innovation in Smart Greenhouses, Next-Generation Fruit Drying, and Augmented Reality Restaurant Ordering
Earlier this Spring, the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) welcomed the 4th batch of venture startup teams to the EPIC business incubator. During the course of the program, the teams will participate in a 12-week intensive idea-stage incubation training to shape their ventures, validate their business concepts, and build their business models. Having full access to AUA’s resources, the teams will participate in workshops, receive advising, and be mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs, AUA faculty and alumni.
EPIC proudly introduces three of the nine startups that were accepted into the program this spring: Smart Green, Vactube and Agourmet. These ventures are designed to offer innovative solutions in agriculture, food processing, and food service.
If you know of any potential partners or collaborators with experience in any of these industries who would like to contribute to the success of these teams, EPIC would welcome hearing from you. Please contact EPIC at epic@.
Please read the brief profiles of each startup presented below:
Smart Green is a greenhouse automation system for small- and medium-sized greenhouses. Smart Green is designed to help farmers maximize revenue, economize resources, and protect yields through the Internet of Things (IoT) smart technology. It will perform automated greenhouse systems management based on data from wireless sensors placed throughout the greenhouse. The system will allow users to monitor the environment of the greenhouse and receive notifications in case of emergencies.
Vactube is a glass tube solar vacuum fruit dryer that reduces the length of the fruit drying period by 3-5 times compared to existing greenhouse-type solar dryers. Using Vactube results in high-quality, attractive dried fruits that are free of added sugar, sulphur, or other additives.
Agourmet is an augmented-reality application which acts as a primary or secondary menu for food-related businesses. It helps restaurants provide customers with a three-dimensional visualization of their dishes. Agourmet streamlines the process of ordering restaurant food, making it more accurate, entertaining, and reliable.
For more information about these teams or EPIC, please visit epic. or write to epic@.
The Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) is a platform for promoting entrepreneurial education, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and startup venture incubation. EPIC provides an ecosystem for the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) emerging entrepreneurs consisting of first-class facilities and collaborative workspace, programs and events, and a network of mentors, advisors and investors. EPIC fosters the understanding and application of entrepreneurship with students and faculty at AUA to craft high-impact multidisciplinary ventures.
—
Astghik Gyurjinyan | Coordinator
Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center
+374 60 612 590,
agyurjinyan@
_________________________________________________________________
40 Baghramyan Avenue, Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia
Srbuk’s fierce second rehearsal features lots of FIRE ahead of Eurovision 2019
16:28,
YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Srbuk has delivered a fierce and dramatic performance at her second rehearsal ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Israel.
Compared to her first rehearsal, today Srbuk was seen with a new hair style and outfit. She was again alone on stage, without any backup dancers, and the performance features a black and red theme with multiple camera angles.
The performance features some pyroeffects, including a fire storm, with added to an even fiercer show.
The first performance of the 25-year-old Armenian pop singer is scheduled for May 16th. Srbuk will be the first to perform during the second semi-final.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan