Author: Arpi Talalian

Armenian FM, UNWTO Secretary-General discuss tourism projects

Arpi Talalian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 7 2022
July 7, 2022, 15:42

 1 minute read

On a working visit to Madrid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili.

The interlocutors emphasized the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the visit of the Secretary-General of the UNWTO to Yerevan at the beginning of June, aimed at expanding cooperation between Armenia and the UNWTO, including through the implementation of joint initiatives and development programs in the field of tourism.

Ideas were exchanged on the projects implemented in the field of tourism in Armenia.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed that Armenia attaches great importance to the tourism sector as a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity at the local, national, regional and international levels. In this regard, the Foreign Minister emphasized the support of the UNWTO, especially to the initiatives of Armenia in the direction of innovation, investments, rural and ecotourism development.

Newspaper: EU closely monitoring Armenia Supreme Judicial Council’s activities

Arpi Talalian
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 7 2022
10:04, 07.07.2022

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The EU closely monitors the activities of [Armenia’s] key judicial institutions, such as the Supreme Judicial Council [(SJC)], and is ready—together with its international partners—to assist Armenia’s authorities in facing the challenges arising from the reforms.

This is stated in response from the EU ambassador’s office in Armenia to a question sent by Zhoghovurd daily. The daily had turned to the EU Ambassador to the RA, head of the [EU] delegation [to Armenia], Andrea Wiktorin, and asked for her opinion on the controversial recording of former SJC chairmen Ruben Vardazaryan and Gagik Jhangiryan. In particular, we had asked to what extent it corresponds to the statements about having an independent judicial system [in Armenia].

The reply letter received from the EU delegation in Armenia specifically states: “Within the framework of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the EU continues to assist in justice reforms in Armenia, to which the [countries’] authorities have shown continued commitment. Respect for the rule of law, one of the core values of the EU, includes an independent, accountable, and effective judicial system.”

MP Armen Gevorgyan quits as parliament committee chair

Arpi Talalian
Panorama
Armenia – July 1 2022

Opposition MP Armen Gevorgyan has stepped down as chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on regional and Eurasian integration, which he took over in 2021.

“I have constantly tried to create an effective working atmosphere in the Commission, especially taking into account the prospects for the development of Eurasian integration of the country. However, political processes in the country have led to a point where I am resigning as the committee chairman,” the MP, who represents the Hayastan bloc, said in a statement announcing his resignation on Friday.

“The current situation dictates clear rules of political, social, and human ethics which I cannot disregard and which prevent me from continuing in my role as chair of the committee,” Gevorgyan said.

At the same time, he unveiled plans to continue fulfilling his duties as an MP in all international structures.

Chess:10 Armenians among FIDE’s top-rated players

Arpi Talalian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia – July 2 2022
July 2, 2022 – 13:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Grandmasters Gabriel Sargissian, Haik M. Martirosyan and Shant Sargsyan – all of them representing Armenia – have made it to FIDE’s latest rating of top 100 chess players of the world.

Levon Aronian, who until recently represented Armenia before moving to the U.S. in late 2021, has taken the fifth spot, while Samuel Sevian, who is of Armenian descent as well, is ranked the 55th.

The winner of the 2021 European Women’s Chess Championship, Elina Danielian is included in the women’s list, as is Anna M. Sargsyan.

Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan, who is also in the men’s rankings, as well as Artur Davtyan and Mamikon Gharibyan are among the top 100 players in the junior category, while Mariam Mkrtchyan has made it to the girls’ rankings.

Artak Zeynalyan refuses to comment on audio scandal involving SJC head

Arpi Talalian
Panorama
Armenia –

Armenia’s former Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan, who has been nominated for a judge of the Administrative Chamber of the Court of Cassation, on Monday refused to comment on the scandalous audio recording involving the judicial watchdog head.

Ruben Vartazaryan, the dismissed SJC chairman, released last week a secretly recorded audio of his conversation with acting SJC head Gagik Jhangiryan, who can be heard warning Vartazaryan to resign or face criminal charges. The Investigative Committee is probing the audio scandal.

Opposition groups and activists have demanded Jhangiryan’s resignation and prosecution for illegal interference in the work of law-enforcement agencies.

“A legal process is underway and I, as a candidate for judgeship, cannot publically comment on it at this point,” Zeynalyan told reporters on Monday.

In response to the remark that he had not yet been elected to the post and could express his position, Zeynalyan stated that the rules of judicial ethics also apply to candidates.

He promised to act in full compliance with the law if elected.

250 foreigners applied for asylum in Armenia in 2022

Arpi Talalian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia – June 23 2022
June 23, 2022 – 17:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – More than 250 foreigners, most of them from Ukraine, have applied for refugee status and asylum in Armenia since the beginning of the year, the country’s Migration Service of reveals, according to Armenpress.

In January-March 2022, the Migration Service received applications from 13 countries of the world, including Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Lebanon, Syria.

Over the past ten years, Armenia has provided a refugee status to more than 1500 asylum seekers. In the past five years, the Migration Service has been receiving an average of 220 applications for asylum per year.

During the 2020 war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the Migration Service collected the data about displaced persons from Artsakh, which it processes and sends to other agencies if necessary. Nearly 91,000 persons, 88% of whom are women and children, have been registered in the electronic database.

MICHAEL KOLOKOSSIAN TAKES OVER AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AUSTRALIA

Arpi Talalian
Australia –
Wednesday,

SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) National Board has announced the appointment of Michael Kolokossian to take over from Haig Kayserian as the Armenian-Australian community’s peak public affairs organisation’s new Executive Director.

A former staffer in New South Wales State Parliament, Kolokossian moves into the role after serving as the ANC-AU’s Political Affairs Director, and possesses a wealth of experience representing the Armenian-Australian community in public life.

Kolokossian served as an adviser in the office of a NSW state parliamentarian after initially entering the workforce as an Administrator at the ANC-AU head office. He has previously served as Chair of the ANC-AU – Western Sydney Branch and also served as part of the Armenian National Committee of the United Kingdom (ANC-UK). He is studying a Bachelor of Law and Arts, majoring in International Law and Global Governance, at Macquarie University.

Kayserian, who has served as Executive Director of the ANC-AU since 2018, will remain on the Board of the organisation. He said he was “delighted to be passing on the baton to such a capable and deserving colleague”.

“Michael Kolokossian embodies the Armenian-Australian community and has a deep respect and understanding of our nation’s politics,” Kayserian said. “I couldn’t be more proud and delighted to be leaving my role knowing that my esteemed colleague of many years will build on our successes in coming months and years.”

“We planned this succession towards the end of the previous parliamentary term, believing the recent Federal Elections presents a perfect opportunity to elevate Michael to lead our office for Australia’s 47th Parliament,” Kayserian added.

Kolokossian has committed to leading the battle for justice for the Armenian Genocide, for the rights to self-determination of the Armenians of the occupied Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), and for the interests of the local community in Australian public affairs.

“Having worked in the Armenian National Committee of Australia head office for a number of years, I am honoured by this opportunity to succeed Haig in working night and day to represent the public affairs interests of our community with our young team of administrators, including Mathew Mikhail, Noor Chirenian, Arineh Izmirlian and Danielle Der Bedrossian,” Kolokossian said.

“We have made major strides in our pursuit for national recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Australia’s stance on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and for resources that have made our community more sustainable. The opportunity is there to build on this by recommitting to our grassroots outreach programs and expanding our reach within our community and in the hallways of power across the country.”

“I am excited by this challenge and thank the ANC-AU Board for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Kolokossian added.

ANC-AU Chairperson, Vache Kahramanian said: “We are in a fortunate position to be able appoint Michael Kolokossian and a team from the endless line of young Armenian-Australians ready to take on Canberra and all our capital cities in the responsibility to lead our community’s public affairs interests.”

“We wish Michael luck and thank Haig for implementing such a dynamic succession plan that will elevate the Armenian National Committee of Australia to even greater heights,” Kahramanian added.

http://www.anc.org.au/news/Media-Releases/Michael-Kolokossian-Takes-Over-as-Executive-Director-of-the-Armenian-National-Committee-of-Australia

Artur Vanetsyan says his party will ‘go a different way’ in anti-government campaign

Arpi Talalian
Panorama
Armenia –

Opposition Homeland Party leader Artur Vanetsyan, who resigned from the Armenian parliament on Tuesday, says he and his party will not remain involved in the opposition resistance movement aimed at toppling Nikol Pashinyan and his government.

Vanetsyan also announced the breakup of the Pativ Unem alliance formed by his party and the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) in his resignation statement, adding the Homeland Party will operate only outside the parliament from now on.

In an interview to the Public TV Company later on Tuesday, Vanetsyan highlighted that his team and the resistance movement remain committee to a common goal, but their methods of achieving it are different.

“At this point, I think it would be more effective to continue our struggle for the same goal in different ways. The resistance movement has announced the start of a second stage. I will go a different way to achieve the same goal. I can’t help but be there fighting for the same goal that I am doing,” the politician said, adding his team will set its own agenda for the protest campaign.

Vanetsyan did not elaborate on his plans, adding they will be revealed during his further activities.

Turkish press: Turkey’s new kamikaze UAV Kargı debuts in Aegean drill

Arpi Talalian
 ISTANBUL JUN 06, 2022 – 3:38 PM GMT+3

The Kargı kamikaze UAV is showcased as part of the EFES-2022 drill, Izmir, Turkey, June 6, 2022. (AA Photo)

The new Kargı kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Turkish defense industry was showcased for the first time as part of the EFES-2022 military drill.

One of the largest planned exercises of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the EFES-2022 field exercise is ongoing in the Seferihisar district of western Izmir with the participation of friendly and allied country elements.

Within the scope of the exercise, local defense industry company Lentatek is exhibiting the UAVs it has developed with domestic and national resources.

The Kargı project was initiated by Lentatek with the support of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK).

Kargı can suppress and destroy the radars of the enemy’s integrated air defense and surface-to-air weapon systems. With preparations now complete, Lentatek is counting the days before the UAV enters serial production.

The ground systems, navigation and automatic flight control system design and production were all developed domestically, as was the system’s software.

In 2018, Kargı made its maiden flight with Lentatek’s nationally developed aircraft and ground systems as a result of the localization of foreign components, which also applied to the RF seeker and destruction system, the flight engine and launch engine (rocket engine), link system, propeller and fuel tank subsystems, which were all developed within the country as well.

The Kargı project is being carried out under the leadership of Lentatek in cooperation with other leading defense industry companies, namely Aselsan, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and TÜBITAK’s Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE).

It bears the PG50 engine developed by TAI’s engine producing subsidiary TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI).

The aircraft is launched from canisters, which are also used as storage, thanks to the rocket engine. The Kargı forces the air defense radars to remain passive by navigating the enemy airspace for a long time and will be able to find its target and successfully destroy it with the RF seeker and destruction system.

The kamikaze UAV is expected to replace the Israeli-made Harpy already in the TSK’s inventory.

The IAI Harpy is a loitering munition produced by Israel Aerospace Industries and is designed to attack radar systems and optimized for the suppression of enemy air defenses.

It carries a high explosive warhead.

The Harpy has been sold to several countries, including South Korea, Turkey, India and China.