Author: Aram Torosian

Jermuk citizens protest for Amulsar (video)

Aram Torosian
August 16, 2019

The people of Jermuk are protesting for Amulsar. It should be reminded that the announcement was made yesterday that they will wait for the RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Broadcast by News.am

https://a1plus.am/en/article/346308?fbclid=IwAR1KL3QrrmRk_d2ziS-VoXfIgDwMe6lreAexSfeqa0BBaBIfPb655FyVJps


Russian Defense Minister lauds Armenia’s contribution to Syria’s normalization

Aram Torosian
ITAR-TASS, Russia
Saturday
Russian Defense Minister lauds Armenia’s contribution to Syria’s normalization

KUBINKA /Moscow Region/ August 17

HIGHLIGHT: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has praised the contribution of Armenian sappers and doctors in providing humanitarian aid to Syria at a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Davit Tonoyan on Saturday.

KUBINKA /Moscow Region/, August 17. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has praised the contribution of Armenian sappers and doctors in providing humanitarian aid to Syria at a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Davit Tonoyan on Saturday.

Shoigu has proposed exchanging opinions with Tonoyan not only on joint projects of military and technical cooperation but also on the joint operation of sappers’ and doctors’ work in providing humanitarian aid in Syria.

The Russian minister also pointed out that thousands of people had received medical help, while Armenian surgeons performed a few hundreds of surgeries.

“This is enormous work that might not be noticed, but undeniably contributes to the normalization of situation in this region,” the minister underlined.

According to Shoigu, the strategic level of relations between the defense agencies of Russia and Armenia allows saying that there’s still much to be done.

Azerbaijani Press: Pashinyan: Populist balancing

Aram Torosian
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
August 11, 2019 Saturday
Pashinyan: Populist balancing
 
by ASTNA.biz
 
Addressing the opening of the Pan-Armenian sporting games-2019 in Nagorno Karabakh, August 5, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that «Artsakh» is Armenia, that’ll do».«We are supportive of peace resolution to the issue. Strengthening of security of Armenia and «Artsakh» is a priority for us», he added.It’d be appropriate to note that his statement has widely been discussed in mass media and social networks of Azerbaijan. Writing for the press on the issue, a head of foreign relations department of the Presidential administration, Hikmet Hajiyev pointed out that «official Baku is totally against the Armenian Prime Minister’s statement that «Karabakh is Armenia» made in the course of his illegal visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan». H. Hajiyev emphasized that «Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijan! Nagorno Karabakh is a historical land and integral part of Azerbaijan » (https://ru.oxu.az/politics/325019).What did Pashinyan mean to say in his statement?Political expert Asrastun Orujlu responded ASTNA questions. 

–Arastun bey, addressing the opening of the Pan-Armenian sporting games-2019 in Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated: “Artsakh is Armenia”. His words had a wide public response in Azerbaijan. What did Pahinyan mean under his statement?
 
– First of all, I”d like to note that relations between Pashinyan and the Armenian community of Nagorno Karabakh are strained as a result of struggle between him and the Karabakh clan, especially as Russia is eager to make Armenia its humble servant.
 
It is worth reminding that Pashinyan not only deprived the Karabakh clans of 20-years long power in Armenia but even tried to weaken their position by means of arrests and persecutions. It was no mere coincidence that I used a word “clans” because the point is about two clans – Kocharyan and Sargsyan”s that are far from unanimity in their approaches to many issues. Thus, Robert Kocharyan and his clan are closely related to the Presidential administration of Russia while Sargsyan and his adherents are close to the Russian military circles. It is no secret that the two branches of power are competing with each other.
 
In this respect Pashinyan”s aspiration to draw his country nearer to the West or integrate it into Europe looked slightly naïve, and this is natural. One must allow that Pashinyan is a populist politician following which persons of this sort are victims of such a policy. Another dangerous feature of populism is that persons of this sort give unrealistic promises that cannot be redeemed: credit of trust arising from these promises is rapidly devaluated. In this connection, Nikol Pashinyan is a hostage of his own populisn: instead of reforms he, improperly assessing the social-economic crisis in his country, tries to focus on internal/foreign political issues which, in turn, caused a reciprocal response inside/outside the country.
 
In other words, unrealistic foreign political initiatives of Pashinyan are straining not only Moscow but its opponents as well. Failing to make adequate conclusions, the Prime minister got down to still more dangerous populism through the use of the Karabakh card.
 
To be fair, Pashinyan is vitally interested in getting support of the Karabakh regime; hence, the Karabakh populism serves two goals: to secure his own power and concurrently assure Kremlin that he is loyal to the Karabalkh policy of his predecessors. The time will show effectiveness of his policy but but it is safe to say that Pashinyan cannot play his role for Moscow as Kocharyan and Sargsyan did.
 
– Is the response of the Azerbaijani party to the Pashinyan”s statement adequate? What steps should official Baku have taken as a response to his “sentence”?
 
– In my view, under complex geopolitical conditions the manifestation by the Azerbaijani party of emotional, populist attitude to the present developments would mean that our country has fallen under Pashinyan”s provocative statement. Indeed, it is difficult to say something definite …
 
Who is concerned with violation of stability and relapse of combat operations in the Karabakh front, in terms of international tensions around Iran?
 
Unfortunately, I can suggest assumptions only. For instance, on the eve of probable military operation against Iran, Russia is eager to strengthen its position in South Caucasus. Ideally for this country would be start of military clashes in the region. As for Azerbaijan, if involved, our country risks to find itself isolated internationally and even jeopardize its sovereignty.
 
An adequate response to the above proved to be an even-tempered, based on standards on international law, statement of Hikmet Hajiyev, a head of foreign relations department under the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan.
 
– Some experts insist that Pasinyan”s statement was aimed at stirring up a military conflict. To their thinking, he is about to lose West”s support finally. The West demands from him to decline from Russia for good and all. In the meanwhile, Pashinyan is eager to foment a war conflict and thus turn away from Moscow in an attempt to get support from the USA and Europe. How far are these versions correct?
 
-It”d be too complex, multimove combination for the Armenian diplomacy, and I don”t think that this country is capable of gaining success. As mentioned before, the military conflict is likely to strengthen Russia”s influence in the region, and this is axiom.
 
As for West”s plan over Armenia, to my thinking, it is none other than overdoing of this country”s significance. At present, the West is interested in Armenia as means of pressure against countries of the region. For this to happen, it is not urgent to include Armenia into sphere of its influence which makes it necessary to help this country with billions of dollars, especially Armenia is gladly involved in this game. The very existence and maintenance of the Armenian statehood over the past 100 years have been based on rendering services of this sort. Regretfully, Armenia fails to get rid of this “strategy” and Armenia is baneful not only for its neighbors; it is a hostage of its own ambitions.
 
– With reference to Armenian political experts, some Russian mass media are alleging that in doing so Pashinyan is willing to change 7 regions of Azerbaijan into Karabakh. How far is it logical?
 
– Nearly all Pashinyan”s predecessors in Armenia attempted to conclude such a deal but failed: Azerbaijan will never accept it, for it”d be none other than capitulation. In my opinion, nobody in Azerbaijan would welcome such a “peace plan”. Both Nagorno Karabalh and occupied regions around it are a territory of Azerbaijan and cannot be a subject of talks.
 
– Isn”t it strange: first border problems with Georgia, then Armenia”s statement on Karabakh … What”s happening in the region as a whole? What do they want from Azerbaijan?
 
– I”ll start with your last item: you reaffirmed that clouds are gathering over Azerbaijan, and I”m confident that this is nonrandom. It”d be wrong to consider all the developments in the regional context. Today Azerbaijan attracts attention for, at least, three reasons:
 
First, the Iranian issue I mentioned above is much more complex that it may seem. Azerbaijan is considered to act as a bridgehead for combat operations against Iran. It should be borne in mind that involvement in actions of this sort may lead to disastrous consequences not only for the Azerbaijani statehood but the Azerbaijani nation as a whole.
 
Priority for us today is the national idea, national unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis regardless of country of their residence; irrespective of their political and other views. The point is that our future is meant to be laid on the ideas above, for there is no alternative. In this respect, our participation in any campaigns threatening millions of our compatriots residing in Iran, is possible under no circumstances.
 
Second, owing to its geographical location Azerbaijan is ranked high to resolve important problems of communications and logistics as crucial issues of today”s geopolitics. Suffice it to recall that transport-communication corridors North-South and East-West run through a territory of Azerbaijan. However, the same advantageous position of the country attracts attention to Azerbaijan and enhances vain attempts of super powers engaged in these projects to carry out interventions into Azerbaijan. Loyal to their traditions in attaining goals, the global actors are seeking to avail of economic, political and military means to thus gain priorities. The factors mentioned above lay down reasons of enhanced activity both of Georgia and Armenia against Azerbaijan, and beyond any doubt, the two of them are governed from one and the same center.
 
Third, from integration of cultures” standpoint, today”s growing interest in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis on the part of political and academic circles is not a mere coinsidence. Development of the expanse where various civilizations and cultures, ethnoses and faiths are mutually enriched and peacefully co-exist, will be a crucial factor for this rapidly polarizing world.
 
In all probability, the time for tensions between Azerbaijan and Georgia on religious grounds, and Armenia on ethnic-territorial basis is not coincidental. As has noted above, coincidence of tensions between three countries would provoke an intervention into their territories and seize communications, first of all, sea ports of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
 
It is obvious that prospects are not promising; however, to my thinking, there are some encouraging aspects. Contributing to maneuvering opportunities are diversity of global interests in the region and a great number of actors involved. In other words, should flexible, well thought-out steps be taken in the internal and foreign policy, it”d be possible to get out of the situation as winner or, at least, unloser. However, there is still lack of political will to take a decisive step.

A1+: Karen Demirchyan’s statue to be placed in front of sport and concert complex (video)

Aram Torosian

August 8, 2019

RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan presented today a draft law for the installation of Karen Demirchyan’s statue in front of K. Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

Introducing the project, the minister noted that 3 million 281 thousand drams will be required for this project.

“The issue has been discussed with the family and they have proposed to place the statue there,” the minister said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there had been a decision to install Demirchyan’s statue long ago. and when he asked about the deadlines, Suren Papikyan did not specify when the monument would be placed.

The decision was confirmed.


Sports: Armenia’s women’s basketball team is winner of U18 European C’ship Division C

Aram Torosian
MediaMax, Armenia
Aug 5 2019
 
 
Armenia’s basketball team is winner of U18 European C’ship Division C
 
 
 
Armenian women’s basketball team has become the winner of U18 European C’ship Division C in Andorra.
 
Vahagn Harutyunyan’s athletes got advantage 79:73 in the final and defeated Malta team.
 
Patil Natalie Yaacoubian scored 22 points in the decisive game. Her performance was great in 3-point shots for 5 times.
 
Kayla Keshmeshian performed without replacement and scored 24 points. She is the youngest player in the team, who will turn 16 on August 29. She was recognized to be the best player of the tournament. Meri Margaryan was also among the top 5 players.
 

Photo Slide show at
 
 
 

Suspect detained in Yerablur Military Pantheon vandalism

Aram Torosian
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 1 2019

Police have detained the person they believe is responsible for vandalizing gravestones of the heroes at the Yerevan Yerablur Military Pantheon. Since early Thursday numerous war veterans, reporters and lawmakers visited the military cemetery after a Facebook video showed soldiers’ tombstones vandalized by what appeared to be melted candles.

According to the Police statement, the suspect is identified as 51-year-old woman living in Yerevan who was detained in the cemetery of Ashtarak town, observed while exhibiting a strange behavior.

As the detained woman explained to the law enforcement, she had poured candle wax on gravestones on number of cemeteries in capital Yerevan and adjacent settlements what she described as “to remove a curse”.

The details of the incident are being clarified with police investigating the matter.


Sports: Armenian wrestlers win 2 silver and 6 bronze medals in Sargsyan Cup

Aram Torosian
MediaMax, Armenia
 
 
Armenian wrestlers win 2 silver and 6 bronze medals in Sargsyan Cup
 
 
 
 
Stepan Sargsyan Cup has concluded today in Vanadzor. Armenia has won 7 medals in total: 2 silver and 5 bronze ones.
 
Mihran Jaburyan (Armenia) faced Azamat Tuskayev (Russia) in the final match of the 57kg weight class. Jaburyan had to be satisfied with silver as Tuskayev beat him early 10-0.
 
Armenia’s other silver medal was won by champion of Europe Arsen Harutyunyan (61kg). He lost 2-12 to Abasgazhi Magomedov (Russia).
 
The bronze medalists in Armenia squad are Garik Barseghyan (57kg), Gegham Galstyan (70kg), Davit Gevorgyan (74kg), Grigor Grigoryan (79kg), Hovhannes Mkhitaryan (86kg) and Andranik Galstyan (125kg).
 
This year the tournament featured around 120 wrestlers from 6 countries. The prize pool made USD 24,000.
 

Avinyan: Lake Sevan under threat of disappearance

Aram Torosian
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, July 16. /ARKA/. Climate change pose a threat to Lake Sevan, Armenian Vice-premier Tigran Avinyan said Tuesday as he spoke in New York at a conference focused on making investments into the climate economy and energy efficiency, RIA Novosti reports. He said the climate change impacts Armenia’s landscape dramatically.  

Avinyan is quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that the most climate-affected area is Lake Sevan –
the increasing temperature has created a threat of losing the lake.  

The vice-premier said that the Armenian authorities are now searching for ways to put things right.

First of all, he said, they are trying to increase the lake’s water level by about 6 meters. This would make it possible to preserve Sevan as lake at least in the nearest future.

Avinyan said that nobody though over climate in Armenia for long years, but now the authorities pay more attention to such problems.  

Sevan is one of the largest mountainous lakes in Europe and Asia. It sits in the middle of Armenian Highland at an altitude of 1914 meters. The lake’s water surface is 1,500 square kilometers.

Lake Sevan is the main resource of drinking water in the region. -0—

Armenian FC Banants loses match to FK Cukaricki

Aram Torosian
Armenpress, Armenia
 
 
Armenian FC Banants loses match to FK Cukaricki          
 
00:24, 12 July, 2019
 
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. FK Cukaricki – FC Banants 1st leg match took place in Belgrade (Venue: Stadion na Banovom brdu).
 
Armenian team lost the match with the score of 0:3.
 
FK Cukaricki’s goals scored by Slobodan Tedic twice and Stefan Kovac. UEL 1st qualifying round 2nd leg match between overwritten teams will be played at Banants stadium on July 16.

Armenia, Singapore discuss cooperation opportunities in technological sector

Aram Torosian

Armenia, Singapore discuss cooperation opportunities in technological sector

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09:32, 8 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s official visit to Singapore continues. On July 8 PM Pashinyan met with the representatives of Temasek Holdings foundation led by co-chair of the investment group Nagi Hamiyeh, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

During the meeting Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Armenian government is interested in discussing the cooperation opportunities with the Temasek Holdings, given the latter’s productive activity in a number of sectors of the economy, including high technologies. Pashinyan said the technological sector is one of priorities of the Armenian government as Armenia plans to build a technological economy the locomotive of which will be the IT field. He said since the Soviet times Armenia had a developed engineering system, currently engineering companies successfully operate in the country. The PM informed that in the past 7 years the IT field in Armenia has grown 5 times. Pashinyan introduced the government’s actions aimed at fighting monopolies, corruption, adding that institutional reforms are being carried out in a number of directions. “We invite you to get acquainted with Armenia’s technological opportunities and activities of companies”, the PM said.

Nagi Hamiyeh stated that there is a small, but organized Diaspora in Singapore the representatives of which successfully operate in different areas, including technological. The company representative added that Temasek Holdings is ready to discuss the cooperation and investment opportunities with the Armenian government, including in the field of engineering education. The co-chair of the investment group introduced the foundation’s activities in Singapore, China, US and India.

Thereafter, the sides discussed the prospects of creating a joint venture foundation, implementing startup programs, exchange of experience and technical cooperation.

The company representatives were invited to attend the 2019 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) to take place in Yerevan in autumn. They accepted the invitation with pleasure. The sides agreed to continue the discussions in Yerevan.  

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan