Author: Arbi Tashjian

Another lawmaker from the ruling party resigns from parliament

Arbi Tashjian
Panorama, Armenia

Armenian lawmaker Narek Mkrtchyan from the ruling “My Step” fraction has resigned from parliament. As the parliament press service reported, the Speaker of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan issued the respective statement. 

“Pursuant to Article 155.2 of the Constitutional Law the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, if after the issuance of the resignation, during one week, the deputy takes back her/his resignation letter, then the Speaker of the National Assembly makes an announcement, if the deputy does not take back her/his resignation letter, then a protocol is compiled on suspension of the powers, which signs and issues the Speaker of the National Assembly.The resignation letter is considered accepted after the issuance of the protocol,” the announcement by the RA NA Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan reads.

Note, Mkrtchyan became the fifth lawmaker from the ruling party who quitted the parliament since November last year

Artsakh military releases names of 193 more fallen soldiers

Arbi Tashjian
Panorama, Armenia

The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army on Friday, April 16, released the names of 193 more Armenian servicemen killed repelling Azerbaijani attacks during the 2020 war.

Below is the list of the fallen soldiers:

 

Petrosyan K. Hovsep, born in 2000

Vardanyan R. Davit, born in 2001

Nanyan M. Kamo, born in 2002

Tilikyan D. Harutyun, born in 1998

Gharibyan V.Samvel, born in 2000

Sargsyan G Varuzhan, born in 2000

Simonyan A Karen, born in 2000

Reservist Sahakyan V. Tigran, born in 1990

Reservist Harutyunyan V. Davit, born in 1982

Reservist Grigoryan V. Gagik, born in 1969

Reservist Avagyan G. Aram, born in 1994

Reservist ԳGrigoryan F. Andranik, born in 1996

Reservist Tadevosyan K. Hayk, born in 1973

Reservist Grigoryan S. Erik, born in 1983

Reservist Gapoyan R. Garik, born in 1989

Reservist Grigoryan R. Boris, born in 1972

 

 

Davtyan S. Movies, born in 1991

Yeritsyan A. Narek, born in 2002

Isunts R. Gevorg, born in 2000

Avanesyan K. Artur, born in 1998

Antonyan N. Arman, born in 2000

Reservist Yedigaryan A. Hovhannes, born in 1974

Volunteer Yeghiazaryan Z. Paylak, born in 1995

Isakhanov R. Ashur, born in 2001

Volunteer Israyelyan A. Elvis, born in 1988

Reservist Khanumyan V. Tigran, born in 1972

Reservist Hakobyan D. Andranik, born in 1996

Harutyunyan M. Mnatsakan, born in 1995

Hovakimyan H. Garik, born in 2000

Volunteer Hakobyan Zh. Samvel, born in 1971

Volunteer Munchyan A. Ashot, born in 1951

Chakhalayan G. Garegin, born in 2001

Janikyan Kh.Arshavir, born in 2002

Reservist Avagyan G. Aram, born in 1994

Reservist Gevorgyan H. Robert, born in 1982

Melkonyan M. Karapet, born in 1997

Reservist Muradyan B. Sevan, born in 1983

Grigoryan A. Grigor, born in 2002

Reservist Petrosyan A. Hrant, born in 1992

Mikayelyan A. Valery, born in 1991

Balayan E. Nelson, born in 1980

Melkumyan A. Andrey, born in 1993

Mkrtchyan V. Mher, born in 1976

Abrahamyan E. Harut, born in 1989

Babayan R. Armen, born in 1974

Aghabekyan N. Roman, born in 1998

Gevorgyan V. Gevorg, born in 1990

Babayan L. Vrezh, born in 1987

Grigoryan S. Sasun, born in 1998

Arustamyan A. Ruben, born in 1990

Gasparyan S. Sarmen, born in 2001

Gharibyan A. Mher, born in 1990

Balayan S. Vilen, born in 2000

Babayan H. Andranik, born in 2002

Davtyan S. Arayik, born in 2001

Sargsyan S. Aren, born in 2001

Sahakyan S. Sergey, born in 2000

Baghryan S. Edik, born in 2000

Aghababyan S. Arman, born in 2001

Galstyan H. Aram, born in 2001

Mangasaryan A. Hayk, born in 2000

Simonyan H. Miasnik, born in 1989

Altunyan V. Saribek, born in 2001

Hurumyan M. Arayik, born in 1990

Khachatryan V. Arman, born in 1989

Muradyan R. Sergey, born in 1991

Martirosyan E. Sevak, born in 1990

Askaryan B. Genady, born in 1984

Aghajanyan A. Artur, born in 1992

Harutyunyan G. Davit, born in 2001

Aghajanyan Sh. Armen, born in 1977

Aleksanyan I. Sasun, born in 1992

Asryan M. Karen, born in 1982

Baghdasaryan P. Arkady, born in 1995

Beglaryan A. Mkhitar, born in 1990

Poghosyan V. Vardges, born in 1998

Baghdasaryan E. Zaven, born in 2000

Musayelyan S. Arsen, born in 1979

Ghukasyan B. Hakob, born in 2000

Khachatryan A. Harut, born in 1998

Sargsyan S. Aramayis, born in 1996

Hayrapetyan A. Sergey, born in 2001

Yesayan B. Armen, born in 1977

Baghdasaryan A. Artashes, born in 2000

Allahverdyan L. Gagik, born in 1976

Hambardzumyan M. Davit, born in 1998

Martirosyan R. Meruzhan, born in 1987

Abrahamyan V. Ashot, born in 1985

Sargsyan A. MAsis, born in 1981

Mirzoyan Y. Artak,  born in 2001

Balasyan V. Vitaly, born in 1979

Reservist Dadayan V. Arayik, born in 1982

Reservist Avagimyan P. Mkhitar, born in 1973

Reservist Sargsyan A. Zakar, born in 1996

Reservist Musayelyan R. Mher, born in 1977

Reservist Matevosyan A. Narek, born in 1998

Reservist Harutyunyan R. Anatoly, born in 1976

Reservist ՊPetrosyan A. Nelson, born in 2000

Reservist Sargsyan R. Narek, born in 1995

Reservist Martirosyan S. Martin, born in 1978

Reservist Baghiryan R. Artur, born in 1984

Reservist Asribabayan V. Davit, born in 1982

Reservist Harutyunyan K. Kamo, born in 1999

Reservist Grigoryan CH. Norayr, born in 1974

Reservist Arstamyan V. Varuzhan, born in 1974

Reservist Harutyunyan N. Ashot, born in 1982

Reservist Babayan Z. Igor,  born in 1973

Reservist Sargsyan K. Vladimir, born in 2000

Reservist ԱAsryan R. Mher, born in 1984

Reservist Ishkhanyan G. Artak, born in 1993

Reservist Dadamyan E. Arsen, born in 1981

Reservist Gasparyan S. Grisha, born in 1998

Reservist Javadyan G. Hrant, born in 1996

Reservist Gharibyan A. Ernest, born in 1963

Reservist Hakobyan R. Spartak, born in 1983

Reservist Avanesyan A. Vahagn, born in 1995

Reservist Sarukhanyan S. Davit, born in 1972

Reservist Martirosyan M. Armen, born in 1972

Reservist Hakobyan B. Nver, born in 1977

Reservist Garakyan B. Sasun, born in 1978

Reservist Avanesyan V. Andranik, born in 1991

Reservist Petrosyan B. Grigor, born in 1989

Reservist Baghdasaryan S. Armen, born in 1999

Reservist Arakelyan A. Misha, born in 1995

Reservist Aghasyan S. Nikolay, born in 1987

Reservist Abrahamyan E. Sanasar, born in 1988

Reservist Makyan G. Alexey, born in 1973

Reservist Mirzoyan S. Sergey, born in 1988

Reservist Avanesyan A. Armo, born in 1967

Reservist Abrahamyan A. Armen, born in 1973

Reservist Gasparyan A. Boris, born in 1976

Reservist Arustamyan M. Mkhitar, born in 1977

Reservist Ghazaryan V. Aram, born in 1997

Reservist Harutyunyan Y. Gor, born in 1996

Reservist Beglaryan D. Mikayel, born in 2000

Reservist Saghyan M. Martin, born in 1978

Reservist Mangasaryan M. Armen, born in 1976

Reservist Avanesyan G. Tigran, born in 1987

Reservist Apresyan V. Davit, born in 1977

Reservist Gharakhanyan A. Gevorg, born in 1991

Reservist Petrosyan M. Davit, born in 1977

Reservist Hajiyan M. Yervand, born in 1977

Reservist Mkrtchyan H. Aram, born in 1974

Reservist Martirosyan A. Artur, born in 1988

Reservist Poghosyan R. Davit, born in 1979

Reservist Grigoryan V. Armen, born in 1982

Reservist Avetisyan R. Davit, born in 1982

Reservist Melkonyan V. Vahe, born in 1981

Reservist Avanesyan E. Nver, born in 1979

Reservist Avagyan S. Vahe, born in 1989

Reservist Kziryants E. Garnik, born in 1991

Reservist Aghajanyan E. Artur, born in 1984

Reservist Qaramyan S. Qajik, born in 1991

Reservist Abrahamyan I. Eduard, born in 1967

Reservist Paramazyan A. Boris, born in 1998

Reservist Hovhannisyan L. Gerasim, born in 1974

Reservist Khachatryan G. Hayk, born in 1992

Reservist Tsatryan V. Grigori, born in 1987

Reservist Arakelyan V. Norik, born in 1990

Reservist Hovhannisyan G. Artur, born in 1971

Reservist Hayrapetyan V. Shahen, born in 1976

Reservist Galstyan S. Arsen, born in 1992

Reservist Baghdasaryan D. Karen, born in 1991

Reservist Avetisyan S. Sasun, born in 1983

Reservist Hayrumyan N. Artak, born in 1976

Reservist Hakobyan H. Mikayel, born in 1999

Reservist Hovsepyan S. Emil, born in 1986

Reservist Baghryan V. Makena, born in 1978

Reservist Petrosyan A. Beniamin, born in 1989

Reservist Avetisyan G. Hunan, born in 1972

Reservist Khachatryan M. Masis, born in 1989

Volunteer Matevosyan S. Abrik, born in 1971

Volunteer Ulubabyan A. Shiraz, born in 1972

Volunteer Aslanyan A. Garri, born in 1990

Volunteer Avagyan Y. Hovik, born in 1968

Volunteer Grigoryan V. Armen, born in 1977

Volunteer Musayelyan A. Albert, born in 1980

Volunteer Baghmanyan H. Mikayel, born in 1975

Volunteer Mnatsakanyan G. Gurgen, born in 1990

Volunteer Sargsyan S. Arsen, born in 1989

Volunteer Grigoryan A. Ashot, born in 1969

Volunteer Khachatryan B. Eduard, born in 1967

Volunteer Sargsyan R. Garnik, born in 1964

Volunteer Abrahamyan H. Nver, born in 1974

Volunteer Baghdasaryan T. Nver, born in 1975

Volunteer Asryan S. Sevak, born in 1980

Volunteer Arstamyan Y. Seyran, born in 1973

Volunteer Avanesyan A. Arsen, born in 1966

Reservist Margaryan A. Ruben, born in 1998

Volunteer Sardaryan S. Davit, born in 1984

Reservist Hovespyan L. Vahe, born in 1983

Reservist Manukyan G. Armenak, born in 1996

Martirosyan M. Edgar, born in 2000

CivilNet: ‘We Have Work To Do’: A Conversation with Raffi Kassarjian

Arbi Tashjian
CIVILNET.AM

17 Apr, 2021 07:04

Raffi Kassarjian, in a conversation with Lara Tcholakian, speaks about his outlook as an Armenian, his reflections on lessons learned from the past and his perspectives on the development of Armenia. He shares his personal and professional experiences and the circumstances that led to his success as an executive leader, in the US and since his permanent move to Armenia in 2008.

Raffi Kassarjian is an executive in the field of high tech and information technologies. He is currently the Executive Director of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises, the business association representing the leading technology companies in Armenia. He is also the CEO of Sensyan LLC, a boutique advisory firm focused on the growing Armenian tech sector. A Stanford University graduate (BA and MBA), he held various senior positions in the US (Dasar Inc., Accenture, Fair Isaac Corporation) before permanently establishing himself in Armenia with his family in 2008 where he worked for ICON Communication, Converse Bank/Corporación America, and Monitis Inc./Teamviewer Armenia.

Program overview

Armenian leaders share inherited cultural and historical narratives, memories, life learnings and experiences. Down-to-earth, authentic and mindful conversations preserve the stories and legacies of families, and reflect on the lessons learnt from inherited collective trauma and introspective leadership.

#MindfulLeaders

#InheritedLegacies

Turkish press: Embargoes don’t disrupt but help Turkey nationalize defense products

Arbi Tashjian
 ISTANBUL DEFENSE 
APR 14, 2021 1:35 PM GMT+3
A Bayraktar TB2 drone is equipped with Aselsan’s electro-optic reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system CATS and Roketsan’s MAM-L smart ammunition, Tekirdağ, northwestern Turkey, Nov. 6, 2020. (AA Photo)

Embargoes or sanctions imposed on Turkey’s defense industry only lead the country toward producing the embargoed parts on its own, thus helping to speed up domestic production, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) head said Wednesday.

SSB President Ismail Demir made the statements via his Twitter account, saying Turkey’s defense industry will maintain its fight against incoherent applications by international actors.

His statements came after a recent decision by Canada to cancel export permits for some defense gear to Turkey.

Demir said one of the best examples of the strengthening of the Turkish defense industry through sanctions is the Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS) developed by leading defense contractor Aselsan and now applied to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), replacing those acquired from abroad, namely from a Canadian company.

Separately, Selçuk Bayraktar, the chief technology officer (CTO) of the drone magnate Baykar – whose products were used in Nagorno-Karabakh, said Aselsan produced the electro-optic camera years ago, which has been working successfully not only in the country but it has also been exported abroad.

The Baykar-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) earlier in November 2020 test-fired using domestically made ammunition with the Aselsan-developed CATS.

“The Bayraktar TB2 UACV successfully carried out the first test shot with the electro-optic reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system CATS developed by Aselsan,” Baykar said at the time in a statement.

The Bayraktar TB2 was equipped with mini smart ammunition (MAM-L) developed by leading defense company Roketsan during the test. As part of the test flights, the CATS’s high-speed target locking and tracking capabilities were tested. The MAM-L hit the target with pinpoint accuracy at high altitude and distance with laser marking made by CATS.

CATS is a high-performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing airborne platforms, including UAVs, helicopters and aircraft.

Canada on April 12 canceled export permits for drone technology to Turkey after concluding that the country sold the equipment to the Azerbaijani military forces during fighting in the Armenian-occupied and internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey, like Canada, is a member of NATO and is a key ally of Azerbaijan, whose forces regained territory after six weeks of fighting and after three decades of illegal Armenian occupation.

However, Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau said the use of the technology “was not consistent with Canadian foreign policy, nor end-use assurances given by Turkey.”

Turkey criticized the decision, saying that it expects Turkey’s NATO allies to refrain from taking steps that would negatively affect bilateral relations and harm NATO solidarity.

The combat drones, as expressed by many military specialists and defense experts, gave the Azerbaijani army the upper hand in both detecting and destroying enemy forces and military equipment, including armored vehicles, howitzers and Russian-made air defense systems.

Among the defense industry products Turkey imports from Canada, there is the electro-optic camera system procured from the Wescam company. Turkey has accelerated its work on the manufacturing of such a system because Ankara, even before the official embargo, faced several problems regarding the acquisition of it from abroad.

The CATS system was developed by Aselsan to meet this need, while the company also has several other projects on electro-optic cameras, namely the ASELFLIR 400 and DASS, both on display on the company’s website.

Another key product that Turkey imports from Canada is the PT6 turboprop engine manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada. These engines, which have different models that range from 750 horsepower to 1,250 horsepower, are widely used in civil and military platforms, including the Hürkuş training aircraft of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Meanwhile, the company’s engine-producing subsidiary, TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), is developing several types of engines to power domestic aircraft.

Among them, the TS1400 is expected to be used on Hürkuş. The second prototype of the engine, being Turkey’s first domestic helicopter engine, was successfully fired up following the initial operation of the first prototype earlier this year.

ARS Social Services Helps Improve Covid-19 Vaccine Accessibility

Arbi Tashjian



GLENDALE–As part of its ongoing work and efforts through the County Covid-19 Community Equity Fund (CCCEF), ARS Social Services hosted its first-ever on-site Covid-19 mobile vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 10 at its main office in Glendale.

In collaboration with Remedia Care Clinic and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, the event was open to any adult with an underlying health condition, employed and working in an eligible sector, or over the age of 50. Although 150 clients were pre-registered, turnout was higher than expected with close to 175 community members receiving their first doses of the Moderna vaccine that day.

“It was a convenient and comfortable way for people to get vaccinated in their own community, especially in a trusted environment like the ARS Social Services office where you’re assisted by hardworking, devoted staff. By getting vaccinated, I felt I am helping keep myself and my community safe from this awful pandemic,” said Rosa Donato, a local community member who received her vaccine on-site.

Participants were asked to register in advance using an online link and show up promptly to the ARS office at their scheduled appointment times. This proved to be a bit difficult for the community as many either lacked internet or the technical skills required to navigate the site.To alleviate this digital gap, staff assisted interested clients over the phone and facilitated the registration process from start to finish. This included recording each client’s basic personal information, medical insurance information, health history, and selecting a convenient appointment time slot.

The day of the event, the team continued to offer their support and assistance by providing in-person translation services throughout the entire vaccination process. This began with signing-in to confirm identity and medical insurance matched their registration, getting their blood pressure checked prior to vaccination, answering the medical history questionnaire, receiving the actual vaccination, and finally sitting through the 15-minute waiting period to monitor any physical reactions.

“Saturday couldn’t have gone any better! Our CCCEF team had volunteered at several vaccine clinics already, but none like Remedia Care- their staff took each patient’s blood pressure, confirmed prior responses to the online questionnaire, and even surprised all of us with a little Armenian! Our clients definitely felt very comfortable and at ease throughout the experience. ARS Social Services looks forward to seeing all participants again in 28 days on Saturday, May 8, 2021 to receive their second and final doses at our office ,” said Vic Keossian, ARS CCCEF Program Supervisor.

If you missed this vaccine opportunity and are still interested in being vaccinated, contact ARS Social Services at for more information about similar events in the future.

Whether COVID-19 poses a language barrier, technical difficulty or any other obstacle, ARS Social Services is here to help. If you or a loved one have been impacted by COVID-19 in any way, please call ARS Social Services at (818) 241-7533 to find out how the team can be of service to you. The division offers free food assistance, housing navigation, senior services, case management, access and linkages to public benefits, employment support and more year round. Staff are also able to facilitate COVID-19 testing and vaccination scheduling during these unprecedented times.

ARS Social Services is committed to providing comprehensive social services to low-moderate individuals and families through offices located in Glendale, Pasadena, and Hollywood. Services include case management, completion of forms, assistance with housing and transportation issues, senior services, Covid-19 outreach and system navigation services, employment services, referrals, English as a Second Language/Life Skills classes, refugee youth mentoring, homelessness prevention, and more. The ARS Social Services main office can be reached at (818) 241-7533 or [email protected].

Russia ready to assist peace process between Yerevan, Baku – Zakharova

Arbi Tashjian

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 19:31,

YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. Moscow salutes the initiative of establishing normal relations between Yerevan and Baku, ARMENPRESS reports official representative of the Russian MFA Maria Zakharova announced, answering the question if Russia is ready to act as a mediator for signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

”The agreements reached by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021 are a solid basis. We are ready to assist that process in the future. Many hardships and obstacles still need to be overcome. We put the emphasis on stability and sustainable economic development. We hope we will move in the direction of normalizing relations and creation of atmosphere of trust”, she said.

Canada cancels weapons sales to Turkey over Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

Arbi Tashjian
Middle East Eye
Investigation by Ottawa concluded that Turkey deployed drones to Nagorno-Karabakh that used Canadian technology, foreign affairs minister says
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attend military parade for Azerbaijan’s victory against Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, 10 December 2020 (AFP)
By Ragip Soylu
 in Ankara

Canada cancelled all defense exports to Turkey on Monday after an investigation found that Canadian technology was used in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the country’s foreign affairs minister said.

Ottawa suspended the sale of advanced drone optics and defence equipment last October amid allegations that Canadian technology was used by Azerbaijan, a key ally of Turkey, during six weeks of fierce fighting with Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Earlier on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu voiced displeasure over the arms embargo during a call with his Canadian counterpart, Marc Garneau, and asked for a review.

“[The] Canadians told Turkish authorities that they weren’t planning to lift the suspension of military export licences to Turkey, on the contrary, they would cancel all suspended military exports licences, even the ones issued in the past,” one person familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.

Later on Monday, Garneau announced that Canada conducted a thorough review of all suspended and valid export permits and would no longer sell military goods and technology to its NATO ally.

Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: How Baku destroyed Russian S-300s with Israeli suicide drones

“Following this review, which found credible evidence that Canadian technology exported to Turkey was used in Nagorno-Karabakh, today I am announcing the cancellation of permits that were suspended in the fall of 2020,” Garneau said in a statement.

Last year, Ottawa launched an investigation into whether Turkey had violated an end-user licence agreement by selling Turkish armed drones to Azerbaijan.

“This use was not consistent with Canadian foreign policy, nor end-use assurances given by Turkey,” Garneau added.

Ottawa initially imposed an embargo in response to Turkey’s military incursion into Syria in 2019. It partially backtracked on this decision last June and approved the sale of drone optics after high-level talks with Turkey. However, Canada suspended military exports after video footage indicated the use of Canadian-made Wescam optics in drones in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In 2019, Turkey purchased two Canadian Bombardier Global 600 type business aircraft to use as part of locally developed Remote Electronic Support/Electronic Attack Ability in Air Platform (HAVA SOJ).

A Turkish official said last year that Canada also stopped providing the required training and the transfer of know-how regarding the aircraft as part of an arms embargo.

A Canadian firm had also stopped supplying helicopter platforms needed for the national warship programme MILGEM. Turkey has also been importing engines for its Hurkus training aircraft from Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Pashinyan, Putin discuss construction of new Nuclear Plant in Armenia

Arbi Tashjian
Aysor, Armenia
April 7 2021

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin referred to the possibility of construction of new nuclear plant in Armenia.

The issue is on the agenda of negotiations between the leaders of the two countries.

“Issues of economic cooperation are of key significance for us. I am hopeful that today we will discuss issues connected with the strategic investments, and I want to discuss with you the opportunity of building new nuclear plant in Armenia,” Pashinyan said at the meeting with Russia’s president in Moscow.

The “Chinese model” of poverty reduction could eradicate it

Arbi Tashjian

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 15:23,

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Armenia, with the information support of ARMENPRESS state news agency, has launched an online exhibition dedicated to poverty alleviation in China. It aims at introducing the “Chinese model” of eradicating poverty to the world.

In an interview to ARMENPRESS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia Fan Yong talked about the “Chinese model” of poverty reduction, the international cooperation over the matter and other issues.

 

– Your Excellency, thank you for this interview. Recently the Chinese embassy with the information support of ARMENPRESS launched the online exhibition dedicated to poverty alleviation in China. Please, present our readers the occasion of holding the exhibition.

Thank you for the opportunity to meet the readers of ARMENPRESS.

Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China has secured a “complete victory” in its fight against poverty. Over the past eight years, the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line have all been lifted out of poverty. All 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages in China have been removed from the poverty list. 28 ethnic minority groups with relatively small population have shaken off poverty collectively. It is indeed the first time that China has the success of eliminating extreme poverty. As the biggest developing country in the world, with the largest population, China has made marvelous and historical achievement of poverty reduction. And it has been done with several decades of continuous restless efforts and dedications.

Since late 2012, China has lifted 10 million people out of poverty every year, built or upgraded 1.1 million kilometers of rural roads, provided a reliable power supply to rural areas, and expanded fiber-optic internet access and 4G signal coverage to more than 98% of its poor villages. During the same period, some 25.68 million impoverished people from 7.9 million households have witnessed their houses renovated, and more than 9.6 million people have been relocated from impoverished areas.

 

Mr. Ambassador, this is such an astounding and monumental work. What is China’s secret of success in fighting poverty?

The leadership of the Communist Party of China, the People-centered approach, the political advantage of socialist system and strategy of targeted poverty alleviation are crucial to China’ victory.

The Party’s leadership has provided a solid political and organizational guarantee for China’s poverty alleviation efforts. China upholds a people-centered philosophy of development and in-pursuing prosperity for all. Eradicating poverty, improving people’s living standards, and gradually achieving common prosperity is the essential requirement of the development with Chinese characteristics. Political advantage of socialist system can bring together the needed resources to accomplish great tasks. A total of 255,000 teams were dispatched to offer on-the-ground support and over 3 million people were sent to the countryside as special commissioners for poverty relief. About 246 billion U.S. dollars of fiscal funds have been invested into poverty alleviation over the past eight years.

– China has succeeded in developing a model of overcoming poverty which includes economic development and raising the people’s welfare. Is China ready to share its experience and contribute to the global development of fighting poverty?

 

With absolute poverty eliminated, China has made great historical achievements. Since the beginning of the reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, China has lifted 770 million rural residents out of poverty which accounts for more than 70% of the global total, according to the World Bank’s international poverty line. China has met the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

China has actively participated in international cooperation on poverty reduction through multilateral and bilateral channels. The Belt and Road Initiative that China proposed is expected to lift 7.6 million people out of absolute poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty in the related countries.

 

– Mr. Ambassador, how do you see the prospects of cooperation with Armenia in this context?

While committed to eliminating poverty at home, China has actively participated in international cooperation on poverty reduction. China helped other developing countries break development bottlenecks as part of international development cooperation. In Asia, China and ASEAN countries have jointly launched a rural poverty reduction program. In Africa, China has helped African countries build water conservancy infrastructure, set up demonstration zones for agricultural cooperation, and carried out cooperation projects on China-Africa fungus production technology. China has also carried out technical cooperation assistance projects in infrastructure, agriculture and medical care in the South Pacific region and Latin America.

Poverty alleviation philosophies with Chinese characteristics, such as “targeted poverty reduction”, are drawing more and more attention from the international community. We wish to share our success and experience with our Armenian friends. With the help of ARMENPRESS, we host the online-exhibition of Poverty alleviation in China, and we hope this exhibition may bring some help in fighting against poverty.

Russia’s Karabakh Protectorate Taking Clearer Shape (Part Two)

Arbi Tashjian
Jamestown Foundation
March 22 2021

March 22, 2021 05:27 PM Age: 2 hours

Russia seems intent on reproducing in Karabakh the model it had earlier developed in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria and Donbas—namely, a local proto-state with formal institutions under Russian military protection and economic sustenance (see EDM, December 8, 10, 2020 and January 21, 22, 26, 2021). Russia had itself created those proto-states, but it found a ready-made “republic” in Karabakh, carved out by Armenia from Azerbaijan’s territory. Russia’s military “peacekeeping” intervention in November 2020 has simply replaced Armenia with Russia as protector-guarantor of the rump-Karabakh centered in Stepanakert (see Part One in EDM, March 18).

Russia does recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and its title to sovereignty over this would-be republic’s territory. Indeed, Moscow expresses its recognition emphatically at this early stage, without the ambiguities and conditionalities that Russia has attached to its theoretical recognition of Moldova’s, Ukraine’s and (until 2008) Georgia’s territorial integrity. Baku finds Moscow’s assurances reassuring politically and useful in practice. Those other countries’ experience, however, illustrates Russia’s way of piling up ambiguities and conditionalities that devalue and practically cancel Russia’s recognition of territorial integrity over time. This can culminate in Russia’s official de-recognition of the territorial integrity, as in Georgia’s case in 2008. In another version of this ongoing game, Russia has officially de-recognized Ukraine’s territorial integrity in Crimea since 2014, but not in Donbas. The Kremlin has worked with the latter proto-state’s institutions to administer and police the Russian-protected territory. Baku is aware of all this, and Moscow can use this awareness in due course as a lever of pressure on Baku.

In Karabakh’s case, Russia has taken over the protection of an almost 30-year-old “republic” with full-fledged institutional structures: its own constitution, president, government ministries, parliament, political parties, judiciary, and military and security forces. Although their existence and operation has (even from Russia’s official standpoint) no legal basis, Russia has no intention to dismantle them. Instead, Russia’s military and civil authorities in Karabakh work with those local institutions to handle day-to-day matters on the ground. This cooperation goes on discreetly at this early stage, the Russian side being careful not to offend Baku’s sensibilities.

Stepanakert (Khankendi) authorities have announced plans to overhaul the “Karabakh defense army” and other security structures in the wake of the lost war. The plans call for maintaining a permanent army with a mix of conscription and contract service, increasing the army’s mobility, updating the reserve training and mobilization system, and reinforcing the existing “state” security service and police by adding a special forces (spetsnaz) battalion to each with a view to conducting “anti-terror missions.” Stepanakert envisages continuing cooperation with Yerevan’s military toward those goals. Clearly, Stepanakert cannot expect any Russian military assistance in the foreseeable future (see EDM, January 14; Arminfo, January 26; Armenpress, News.am, February 4, March 13).

Stepanakert considers the territories regained by Azerbaijan last November as belonging by right to the “Artsakh republic” (the Armenian name for Karabakh). Based on its “parliament’s” March 1 resolution (News.am, March 1), Stepanakert‘s representatives routinely speak of “Azerbaijan’s aggression against the republic of Artsakh” (as if the latter were a legally recognized entity), declare that “Artsakh’s territories currently controlled by Azerbaijan are occupied territories,” demand the “de-occupation of the Azerbaijani-controlled territories,” and call for recognition of the “people of Artsakh’s right of self-determination.”

According to “foreign affairs minister” David Babaian, Stepanakert clings to “our traditional priorities”: aiming for international recognition, seeking de facto relations with other states—primarily with “fraternal Russia”—and reinforcing inter-Armenian relations (with Yerevan and the diaspora). The quest for international recognition shall continue to focus on local-level administrations in foreign countries, in hopes of moving up to higher levels in a later stage (Armenpress, February 5). Such a forlorn quest seems based on geopolitical delusions that have long ensnared some Armenian leadership groups.

As Babaian stipulates, Artsakh’s existence as such constitutes “a high-value asset to Armenia’s statehood, in regional politics and in global geopolitics.” Artsakh “stands in the way of dangerous geopolitical challenges, first and foremost the advance of pan-Turkism.” In this situation, “Artsakh must remain an all-Armenian priority [for Yerevan and the diaspora].” The tandem of Turkey and Azerbaijan being inimical to Russia by definition, Artsakh is therefore useful to Russia, and its position in the South Caucasus amounts to “geopolitical capital.” Russia’s peacekeeping operation provides for Artsakh’s security, but it does not resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan. A political solution to this conflict must be negotiated based on the people of Artsakh’s right to self-determination (News.am, March 12; Aravot, March 17, 18).

Moscow has unofficially helped Stepanakert to take a first step toward inter-parliamentary relations. Two members of the Karabakh “parliament” have visited Russia’s State Duma for talks with the latter’s prominent member Konstantin Zatulin (from the ruling United Russia party (Artsakhpress, March 17). More than 20 years ago, Zatulin helped pioneer inter-parliamentary relations between the Russian Duma and the legislature of Ukraine’s autonomous republic of Crimea. In that case and in other conflict theaters, Zatulin steps in when the Russian government considers it premature to do so itself.

https://jamestown.org/program/russias-karabakh-protectorate-taking-clearer-shape-part-two/


For Part one: