Author: Badalian Vardan

AW: Debunking Myths on the Road to a Sustainable Armenia

Badalian Vardan
June 7, 2022 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

FAIR LAWN, NJ—On Wednesday, June 8, at 6:00 p.m. ET, Dr. Irina Ghaplanyan—author of Post-Soviet Armenia: the New National Elite and the New National Narrative—will present the third Zoom discussion in the What’s Next series on the post-war Armenian reality. The previous discussions—which featured analysts Lilit Gevorgyan and Armen Kharazian and examined the 44-day catastrophe and its aftermath within a wider context of Russo-Armenian relations and shifting geopolitical currents across the South Caucasus—can be watched on YouTube. 

Dr. Ghaplanyan will be discussing: 

  • Armenian exceptionalism and the clash of rhetoric and policy from Ter-Petrosyan to Pashinyan, 
  • marginalization and empowerment of the Armenian citizen,
  • regime preservation and the subordination of national security, economic and social development, and a more productive relationship with the Diaspora, and
  • steps toward a more sustainable Armenia.

Participants should register online in advance to spend an evening in conversation with Ghaplanyan and explore the myths that administrations and their supporters have presented to the Armenian public in the homeland and diaspora in lieu of articulating a vision and working toward a sustainable and secure Armenia. 

Dr. Ghaplanyan was recently featured in Civilnet with the headline Azerbaijan’s grand strategy to ethnically cleanse Karabagh Armenians.

Dr. Ghaplanyan is a political scientist, climate negotiator and published author. She holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Cambridge. Her main areas of expertise are political leadership, states in transition, climate politics, environmental management, gender and gender in conflict as well as security studies. Her education includes a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from the Diplomatic Academy of London and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from the University of Malta. Dr. Ghaplanyan served as Deputy Minister of Environment for the Republic of Armenia between 2018 and 2020. She is the current senior advisor on climate change to the World Bank Group and teaches at the American University of Armenia. Dr. Ghaplanyan has worked in several international organizations and think tanks around the world including UNDP, Georgetown University, Eurasia Foundation and Chatham House.

The event is jointly sponsored by AGBU Ararat, AIWA NJ Chapter, Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavars, Justice Armenia, Knights of Vartan-Bakradouny Lodge, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)—Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues and Saint Leon Armenian Church.




Armenpress: Yerevan to host session of CSTO Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils

Badalian Vardan

Yerevan to host session of CSTO Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils

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 09:57, 6 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. Yerevan will host the session of the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on June 17, led by Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Chairman of the CSTO Committee of Security Council Secretaries Armen Grigoryan, his office said.

During the narrow and extended-format sessions the situation in the CSTO responsibility zone, the measures aimed at eliminating the security challenges and threats facing the CSTO member states, as well as other issues will be discussed.

At the end of the session the Chairman of the CSTO Committee of Security Council Secretaries and the CSTO Secretary General will make a statement.

Armenpress: Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulates Nikol Pashinyan on birthday

Badalian Vardan

Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulates Nikol Pashinyan on birthday

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 21:48, 1 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and congratulated him on birthday.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the President’s Office, Vahagn Khachaturyan wished Nikol Pashinyan good health, well-being and success.

PM Pashinyan receives the President of the International Boxing Association

Badalian Vardan

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 17:37,

YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the President of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Umar Kremlev, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the prime Minster.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Chairman of the Interdepartmental Commission for Coordinating the European Boxing Championship Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Vahram Dumanyan, his Deputy Karen Giloyan, President of the European Boxing Confederation Ioannis Filippatos, President of the Armenian Boxing Association Hovhannes Hovsepyan and other officials.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister particularly said, “Dear Mr. Kremlev, dear colleagues, I welcome you. I am very glad that we are meeting on a very significant occasion for the Republic of Armenia, on the occasion of holding the European Boxing Championship in our country. To be honest, before the championship was organized, I did not even know that neither the European nor the World Championships of Olympic sports had been held in Armenia before, it was a very sad fact for us.

I would also like to thank you for entrusting our country with such a responsible event. I hope you are satisfied with the organizational level of the championship, and with the results of this event we will be sure that we can also host and organize the World Cup.

Next year we are going to host the European Weightlifting Championships, and in general we have decided to try to host significant sporting events in our country every year. We look forward to your support in this matter. Yesterday I was there. To be honest, it may seem strange, but it was the first time I attended a boxing tournament of this level, since I never had such an opportunity in the past, it was quite interesting. I welcome you once again, I would like to hear your opinion on the level of organization, and on the championship in general.”

The President of the International Boxing Association thanked the Prime Minister for the warm words and noted, “Mr. Prime Minister, when Armenia initially submitted an application, and I know that Armenia is a country of boxing, I know that boxing is a beloved sport here, of course, Europe supported it. I came before the championship, I got acquainted with the works, I really thank you and your whole team, you organized the opening wonderfully, at a high level. Your example should be followed during the next European Championship.

The most important thing for us is the conditions for athletes and coaches. I talked to them once today, everyone is delighted with such a warm reception, the conditions created, that’s the most important thing. About 40 countries have arrived to take part in the championship, everyone is delighted: the opening, the accommodation, the food, the tours in Yerevan, everything is well organized. Once again, I would like to thank you personally and your team, everyone, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the Federation of Armenia for the great work. It really shows that not only the European Championship can be held in Armenia, but also the issue of holding the World Cup can be observed, as there are all the conditions. You mentioned that this is the first time, but you can say that you opened the gates with this.”

Umar Kremlev noted that today the fights of the final round of the European Boxing Championship will take place, the tickets of which are completely sold out, which testifies to the great interest in this sport in Armenia and the high level of organization of the event. The President of the European Boxing Confederation also expressed satisfaction with the championship.

The prospects and challenges of sports development, as well as the holding of international tournaments, the development of sports infrastructure and the promotion of sports lifestyle were discussed at the meeting. The Prime Minister presented the consistent steps taken by the Government in the mentioned directions. The President of the IBA, in his turn, presented the programs of the association for the popularization of boxing, creation of conditions necessary for the professional growth of athletes, encouragement mechanisms, provision of infrastructure, adding that the IBA will support the development of sports in Armenia as much as possible.

The President of the International Boxing Association invited Prime Minister Pashinyan to watch today’s fights in the final round of the European Boxing Championship.

Armenian juice company SIS Natural goes international

Badalian Vardan
May 24 2022

By Nick Thompson

SIS Natural is a market leader in Armenia, specialising in the production of quality juices and fruit and vegetable preserves. With support from the EBRD and the EU, the business revamped its branding and product packaging, and developed a new B2B website and portal to reach a wider audience and help it to grow.

Founded by entrepreneur and CEO Armen Hakobyan, SIS Natural was the outcome of many years of hard work, arising through the culmination of Armen’s formative business ventures in the 1990s.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armen was involved in many different consumer goods companies before settling on SIS Natural in 1999, which he perceived as having the most potential. “During that period, many Armenian producers were trying to copy European products, so we went against the tide and sought to stay true to our roots and create something truly ‘Armenian’ in terms of branding and flavours,” he says.

The ‘SIS’ in the company’s name is a reference to Mount Sis, a volcano located on the eastern flank of its massive neighbour Mount Ararat, the region where most Armenian fruits and vegetables are grown, and the ‘Natural’ reflects its focus on using natural ingredients to produce healthy products. The company’s main product line is called ‘Yan’, which is the suffix of most Armenian surnames.

Armen is committed to demonstrating that Armenian products can be attractive to international markets, and his business has proven that demand exists in spades across multiple geographic areas, vindicating his intuition.

As it entered these new markets, the company’s main objectives changed to attracting investment and advisory support in order to help it cope with this increased demand, diversify its product portfolio, and maintain competitiveness.

A blueprint for growth

The company received support from the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses team in Armenia, before becoming a client of the Blue Ribbon programme and taking a new strategic approach. This relationship has been instrumental in successfully creating and launching the new ‘Yan Sparkling’ brand and a B2B-oriented website, providing a better purchasing experience for customers and distributors around the world.

Armen is grateful for the support from the Bank. “Sustainable development requires consistent investment, so we are glad have a partner with the reputation of the EBRD,” he says.

Indeed, since becoming an EBRD Blue Ribbon beneficiary, the company has hired more employees, nearly doubled its turnover, and recently received equity financing to support its efforts to grow and continue to expand into new markets.

Novel packaging

The company’s product designs have achieved international recognition and the branding on its ‘Yan Sparkling’ range of bottles is particularly unique. The top of the packaging is spherical and depicts the rounded fruit contained inside, with a playful typeface and complementary colour scheme below.

“Yan is our premium brand of pure juices with extraordinary flavours and ingredient combinations,” says Armen, “whereas the SIS brand still produces quality juices, but at more affordable prices.”

Sustainable goals and economic challenges

SIS Natural also invests in sustainable business practices. “As a business, we dedicate a lot of resources to ensuring Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles are met, and have recently installed a large-scale solar power system to mark our commitment to the environment,” says Armen. “We also invest heavily in digital solutions to increase our operational efficiencies.”

The main challenges for the business are currently the price of international logistics, the lack of cultivated agricultural land in Armenia and a shortage of qualified labour.

In response to recent currency crises, the company has implemented a hedging system with a partner bank, involving different currency credit lines to allow it to mitigate the risk of FX fluctuations. Despite some uncertainties in the international marketplace, the business continues to thrive, propelled by the EBRD’s support and the receipt of equity investment.

SIS Natural now employs 220 people. “Our brands are already represented in more than 20 countries worldwide,” says Armen. “We would like to develop these markets and enter new ones in the future. Our main goal is to become a well-known, established international brand.”

A realistic ambition, given what he has already achieved.

 

Swiss development project worth CHF 12 million to reach most remote farmers in Armenia

Badalian Vardan
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – May 27 2022
May 27, 2022, 16:20

 

On May 27, 2022, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC approved a grant worth CHF 12,000,000 for an economic development intervention in Armenia and launched an international tender process to identify an implementing partner. Titled “Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Mountainous Armenia” SIGMA, this new SDC project will reduce poverty in mountainous areas of Armenia in an inclusive, innovative and climate-aware manner. With a duration of 10 years, SIGMA’s geographic focus will be on the poorest regions in Northern Armenia, reaching areas at an altitude of more than 1500m.

To achieve climate change-compatible and inclusive economic growth in mountainous Armenia, the SIGMA project will work with different players of local economies and the government, to the benefit of poorest rural households. With an innovative approach, SIGMA will launch and establish cooperation between the drivers of rural growth, which the project defines as “catalysts”, and the rest of mainly small businesses and farmers. “Catalysts” are rural entrepreneurs who are ready to take additional risks for profit but eventually in favor of local economic growth as such. Those can be investors, buyers, bigger farmers, suppliers of agricultural inputs, or tourism-related enterprises. Through the project, small businesses and farms will improve their services and products, offering those for a higher value to the “catalysts” to be sold to new and expanded markets. 

Working at an altitude of more than 1500m, the project will aim at leveraging growth in niche areas where mountainous regions have a comparative advantage. Sectors such as rural agriculture, wild botanicals, rural tourism, agricultural technologies, which do not harm the environment and contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation, will be consistently pursued.

The project’s geographic focus will prioritize the poorest regions in Northern Armenia, namely Tavush, Gegharkunik, Lori, and Shirak. Starting on May 23, 2022 with a tender process, it will have a preparatory phase of 17 months. After that, the phase of implementation will last at least for 10 years (December 2023- 2033), with Swiss funds amounting in total to CHF 12,000,000. During its first phase (2023 -2026), SIGMA will reach at least 3000 household, and further extend to 10’000 household by the end of its second phase. The project’s implementing partner will be selected through a Tender procedure, details on which are announced here.

The SIGMA project is highly synergetic with other SDC development interventions in Armenia and in the wider region, as well as with a number of Armenian state policies. In Armenia, the project will draw linkages with the Swiss funded projects: “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA), including linkages promoting sustainable and inclusive rural tourism; the “Improvement of Local Self-Governance in Armenia”; “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA); and the Regional “Women Economic Empowerment Programme” (WEE). In the wider South Caucasus region, the SDC sees a potential of upscaling SIGMA, going beyond the Armenian border, extending its synergies to the Swiss-funded Rural Development projects in Georgia.

PM Pashinyan, Ambassador Kopyrkin discuss Armenian-Russian relations agenda, NK conflict settlement

Badalian Vardan

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 11:33, 27 May 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Ambassador of Russia to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin, the PM’s Office said.

PM Pashinyan said that the Armenian-Russian allied relations bear a dynamic character over the recent years, adding that the Russian Embassy in Armenia has a great contribution to this.

Pashinyan said that there are close contacts between the partners of the two countries, which, he said, is important for giving a new impetus to the mutual partnership. At the same time, he highlighted the regular meetings with the Ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries and emphasized the importance of this format in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Sergei Kopyrkin thanked the Prime Minister for highly appreciating the activity of the Russian Embassy and said that their goal is to do everything to contribute to the further development of the bilateral allied and brotherly relations.

During the meeting the sides also discussed issues relating to the Armenian-Russian cooperation agenda, the settlement of the NK conflict and the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region.

Yerevan to host session of Council of CSTO Parliamentary Assembly

Badalian Vardan

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 15:52, 19 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced today that the session of the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will take place in Yerevan on June 6, Interfax reports.

“The session of the Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly will be held in Yerevan on June 6”, Volodin said during the State Duma session.

Artsakh of exceptional importance for Armenians: State Minister Beglaryan attends demographic forum in Stepanakert

Badalian Vardan
Public Radio of Armenia

The State Minister of the Artsakh Republic Artak Beglaryan attended the opening ceremony of the “Future Armenian” initiative’s demographic forum launched in Stepanakert.

Addressing the participants, the State Minister welcomed the idea of holding a forum, which provides an inclusive environment for many professional Armenians to present their observations and proposals for the solution of the demographic problems facing Artsakh.

“Artsakh is of exceptional importance for the Armenians in the past, present and future. Demography is one of the important directions for guaranteeing the future of Artsakh. Therefore, this forum is welcome, and will seriously support the state efforts to develop and implement a demographic strategy,” said the State Minister.

Within the framework of the forum, the State Minister had separate meetings and discussions with a group of members of the initiative, presented his approaches to the issues raised.

Karabakh planning to transition to semi-presidential system of government

Badalian Vardan
PanArmenian
Armenia –
– 18:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) is planning to transition to a semi-presidential system of government, according to a draft concept from the Constitutional Reforms Commission.

“Taking into account the imperative for ensuring the security of the Republic of Artsakh, the challenges facing the Republic of Artsakh, as well as with the goal of ensuring flexibility of the state administration system in times of martial law or state of emergency and in emergency situations, it is proposed to transform the government system by transitioning to a semi-presidential system of government,” reads the concept, according to Armenpress.

The semi-presidential system would rely on two centers – the President and a Prime Minister – who will work with the parliament.

“The President, being the guarantor of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Artsakh, will coordinate the work of the state bodies in the defense area, and will be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the President of the Security Council,” the draft says.

“The executive power will be vested in the government led by the Prime Minister, who will coordinate the work of the 15 members of the Cabinet (ministers). Currently, the President is the head of the executive power. There is no position of a prime minister now and the government is composed of the State Minister and Ministers who are appointed by the President.”

Given the current military-political situation, the commission also proposed to hold general elections gradually – parliamentary elections in 2023 and presidential elections in 2024. At the same time, the concept proposes to reserve parliament the right to elect a President in exclusive cases.