Author: Arpi Talalian

‘War doesn’t end even when peace comes’: Nas Daily releases fresh video from Armenia

Arpi Talalian
Panorama, Armenia
Society 18:03 21/07/2018 Armenia

Famous vlogger Nuseir Yassin, better known by Nas Daily, who is currently in Armenia to explore the country’s culture and daily life, has released his fourth one-minute video from the Armenian capital, expressing his concerns about the traces of war in the country.

“In the country of Armenia there are a tone of unexploded mines 25 years after the war. To this day, soldiers are searching for mines, people are injured from mines and others die because of them,” he says in the video.

“Even if the war in Syria ends now, the destroyed schools, infrastructure, education and unexploded bombs will affect people for generations to come…War doesn’t end even when peace comes.”

The video has sparked outrage among some Azerbaijani social media users, who have made insulting comments about the video blogger.

Nas Daily replied to one of them, saying he is not a political analyst and is simply pointing to the devastating consequences of war in the video. 

Pashinyan: Armenia will not change foreign policy guidelines

Arpi Talalian
Arminfo, Armenia
Pashinyan: Armenia will not change foreign policy guidelines

 Yerevan July 20

Naira Badalyan. Armenia once again confirms that foreign policy is not expected to change. The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan at a press conference stated this on July 20, touching on the talks about what a number of Russian experts called the visit of the Armenian government delegation to Brussels during the July NATO summit a provocation.

According to Pashinyan, the government delegation paid a working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium on July 11-13 to attend the NATO summit itself, and at the meeting of the mission in Afghanistan “Resolute Support” in the format of the heads of state and government of the non-member countries of NATO Alliance, which was held as part of the summit of the North Atlantic alliance.

As the prime minister reminded, Armenia earlier repeatedly participated at the level of the head of state in the person of Serzh Sargsyan in the mission’s work. Thus, this visit, as Nikol Pashinyan pointed out, does not mean a change in foreign policy. Only, Armenia does not refuse to fulfill the international obligations taken by the republic before the “velvet revolution,” Pashinyan said.

During his visit to Brussels Nikol Pashinyan met with heads of EU structures. The Prime Minister also met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The NATO mission, called Resolute Support, began operating in Afghanistan on January 1, 2015, after the military stage of the US operation and its alliance allies has been completed. Armenia has been participating in the international security forces in Afghanistan since 2010. Currently, Armenian peacekeepers (131 servicemen), are carrying out the defense of the checkpoint of the Mike-Spann military base and the adjacent territory. All costs for the training and technical support of the contingent of Armenia’s peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan were assumed by Germany.


The head of the investigation group in the “March 1” case was dismissed from the post of the deputy chairman of the Central Committee

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By the decision of RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Vahagn Harutyunyan was dismissed from the position of Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee, Head of the Main Department for Investigating Especially Important Cases.


“Guided by Article 20, Part 5, Article 22, Part 1, Clause 2 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia”, release Vahagn Harutyunyan from the position of Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, Head of the Main Department for Investigating Especially Important Cases, according to his application,” said the Prime Minister’s decision.


Let’s remind that Vahagn Harutyunyan was the head of the investigative team in the “March 1” case. He has repeatedly stated that on March 1, no case of abuse of official duties was revealed, and the actions of the police were lawful.

Increased Resilience of Syrian Armenians programme to launch on July 18

Arpi Talalian
Public Radio of Armenia
14:44, 17 Jul 2018

The Increased Resilience of Syrian Armenians and Host Population (IRIS) programme will be officially launched on July 18.  The programme’s objectives and planned activities will be presented to the public and donors.

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, RA Minister of Diaspora and HE. Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia will attend the event.

From July 2018 to June 2021, the IRIS-programme will contribute to the National Integration Policy that aims to guarantee a dignified life for Syrian Armenians in Armenia through full protection and integration. This shall be achieved by improving social and economic resilience of Syrian Armenians and host population and by strengthening institutional capacities for economic growth in Armenia.

In concrete terms this means: enhancing access of up to 9’000 Syrian Armenians to existing health and social services, improving housing conditions for some 300 families, increasing economic opportunities for 200 entrepreneurs, and enhancing integration and resilience of up to 3’000 children in Armenian society.

With an overall budget of EUR 3.300.000 and lead by the Austrian Red Cross, the programme is funded by the European Union’s Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis with EUR 3.000.000 and co-funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation. Building on extensive experience in support of Syrian Armenian refugees, the programme is implemented by Armenian Caritas, Armenian Red Cross Society, Centre for Coordination of Syrian Armenians’ Issues NGO and the SME Cooperation Association.

Bishop Sahak Mashalyan raises community concerns with Erdogan

Arpi Talalian
Public Radio of Armenia
12:30, 17 Jul 2018

Chairman of the Spiritual Council of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan has congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election as President of Turkey. In the letter he has raised issues of concerns for the Armenian community, Agos reports.

“We are asking you to address the bureaucratic problems of your non-Muslim citizens in this new period, when our state is being reorganized. The most fragile and diminishing part of this country deserve special and urgent care,” he said.

Mashalyan also pointed to bureaucratic obstacles to the election of the heads of community structures, particularly the election of the Armenian Patriarch.

“We cannot choose our Patriarch, we cannot choose our civilian leaders,” he added.

As a solution, Mashalian suggests starting a new initiative by demonstrating new political will.

“Please give us the door of hope. Let’s breathe a little and collect power. So that we can continue our journey of a thousand years of common history in these lands,” the letter reads.

Yerevan City Council to Elect New Mayor on July 16 Armenia Latest News Top Stories11 hours ago Yerevan City Council during the extraordinary meeting convened to vote on the mayor election date. Yerevan City Council during the extraordinary meeting convened to vote on the mayor election date. YEREVAN—Yerevan City Council unanimously approved Deputy Mayor Kamo Areyan’s recommendation to hold early elections for the city’s mayor on July 16 at 11 a.m. The decision took place during an extraordinary sitting which was convened as a result of former Mayor Taron Markaryan’s July 9 resignation. Yelk faction leader Davit Khajakyan had recommended holding the election on August 8, but that date was rejected by a vote of 35–15 with one abstention. According to law, the City Council has one month from Markaryan’s resignation to elect a new mayor, who will be nominated by the various parties represented in the council. Since the power change in Armenia that occurred with the election o

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Yerevan City Council during the extraordinary meeting convened to vote on the mayor election date.

YEREVAN—Yerevan City Council unanimously approved Deputy Mayor Kamo Areyan’s recommendation to hold early elections for the city’s mayor on July 16 at 11 a.m. The decision took place during an extraordinary sitting which was convened as a result of former Mayor Taron Markaryan’s July 9 resignation.

Yelk faction leader Davit Khajakyan had recommended holding the election on August 8, but that date was rejected by a vote of 35–15 with one abstention.

According to law, the City Council has one month from Markaryan’s resignation to elect a new mayor, who will be nominated by the various parties represented in the council.

Since the power change in Armenia that occurred with the election of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on May 8, certain groups had staged protests in front of City Hall demanding Markaryan’s resignation. Apparently bowing to the mounting pressure, Markaryan stepped down. He had served as the city’s mayor for eight consecutive years.

Armenia’s deputy PM inks $30,5 million investment agreements in US, Canada visit

Arpi Talalian
ArmenPress, Armenia
July 9 2018
Armenia’s deputy PM inks $30,5 million investment agreements in US, Canada visit


YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan led a delegation to the United States June 28 to July 2 on a working visit. The delegation included numerous government officials.

The US visit began with a visit to the ServiceTitan HQ, where the Armenian officials met with founders of the company, as well as founders of Teamable and Airobotics which operate in the Silicon Valley.

Issues related to development of engineering education in Armenia, scientific-research, startup development and involving Armenia in multinational organizations were discussed, as well as the government’s priorities in these sectors, existing issues and the Diaspora’s participation in the development of the field. A preliminary agreement was reached with ServiceTitan to assist in opening a Yerevan branch of the company.

The Armenian delegation later met with representatives of over two dozens of business associations at the Armenian consulate in LA. Agreements on cooperation with Armenian companies were reached, and organizing a visit of the American Business Federation to Armenia was discussed.

The delegation also took part in a reception with major Armenian-American businessmen, where Deputy PM Avinyan presented the new formats of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and the Armenian government’s priorities.

Agreements relating to carrying out projects of experience and knowledge exchange, opening machine building, waste processing, textile and renewable energy plants were reached. A group of businessmen are planning to visit Armenia soon to launch the projects.

The delegation also met with dozens of Armenian businessmen on June 30. Prospects of creating a national venture fund and national startup summit were presented, and many businessmen said they are willing to invest in the fund. The “Diaspora Bonds” idea was presented, as a mechanism for encouraging mass investments and contributing to sustainable development of the economy.

The Deputy PM held one-on-one meetings with many businessmen to discuss concrete investment programs in the sectors of healthcare, agriculture, IT, education, tourism, military industry, filmmaking and others. At the same time, Business Armenia inked a memorandum of understanding with Crystal Lake Holdings LLC, whereby the latter will invest 10,000,000 dollars for constructing a hotel complex in Lake Sevan.

The issue of opening an Armenian branch of the St. Jude Medical Inc, a healthcare giant engaged in production of cardio devices, was discussed with businessman Dro Darbinyan. Eco Panel Group Inc., in the person of Khachik Khachikyan (director), expressed willingness to invest 10,000,000 dollars for establishing a EPG eco-panel production in Armenia.

Deputy minister of Diaspora Babken Ter-Grigoryan held a meeting with California senator Anthony Portantino to discuss issues relating to strengthening relations between Armenia and California.

A group of US-based Armenian doctors suggested to financially assist families of servicemen in Armenia in providing medical insurance.

The establishment of a pharmaceutical plant was discussed with Armenian-American businessman Ashot Tadevosyan. Preliminary agreements were reached over investments in the banking system, organic food and honey production in Armenia.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti hosted the Armenian delegation on July 2. Possible cooperation paths in the sectors of IT, transportation, energy efficiency were discussed. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the city of Los Angeles and the Armenian government to cooperate in exchange of experience and designing a project to involve Armenian civil servants in LA’s administration institutions. The idea of organizing a visit of the LA Mayor to Armenia in December was discussed.

The Armenian delegation also visited Canada before the US visit.

As a result of the visits, investment agreements worth a total of 30,5 million dollars were reached.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs to meet in Brussels July 11

Arpi Talalian
| 12:30 | July 9 2018
Category
Region

Armenia’s minister of foreign affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will have his first official meeting with Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov on July 11 in Brussels, Belgium, the Armenian foreign ministry said on Twitter.

The ministry said that the meeting is initiated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Mnatsakanyan was appointed foreign minister of Armenia on May 12.

Failing to notify sides on upcoming military drills is another proof of Azerbaijan’s irresponsibleness, says Armenian foreign ministry spox

Arpi Talalian
| 18:32 | July 2 2018
Categories
Politics
Region

The fact that Azerbaijan is holding military exercises without notifying different sides must be of concern not only for Armenia but also all partner countries, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan told reporters today.

“There are formats where we raise our concern, for example the OSCE has several such formats. No punitive mechanisms for violations of notification are included in the same documents which stipulate that Azerbaijan, or any other country, must notify in advance all other member countries about upcoming exercises. You can raise about it, you can say that there is such a problem, which we do for many years, because Azerbaijan has made it a habit to hold massive military exercises without even notifying through the corresponding closed OSCE system,” he said.

Balayan says that for already a long time Azerbaijan has an image of an irresponsible country in the international arena.

“This is another proof of the irresponsibleness of Azerbaijan’s international relations. In any case, this doesn’t mean that we will stop raising this issue, we will continue our work on a greater scale,” Balayan said.

Azerbaijan is due to hold large scale military exercises July 2-6 involving 20,000 soldiers, 120 tanks and other armored vehicles, 200 rocket-artillery systems, 30 aviation units etc.

Footage shows Azerbaijani military posts burning

Arpi Talalian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 2 2018
Footage shows Azerbaijani military posts burning

Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has shared a video showing an Azerbaijani defense position burning near Nakhijevan.

The Armenian side declared on Sunday it had completely destroyed one of Azerbaijan’s military positions.

Armenian forces opened retaliatory fire after the attempts by Azerbaijani side to carry out engineering works at the military posts near Nakhijevan.

Video at