Author: David Nargizian

COAF, AMAA Partner to Revamp Dairy Production in Lori Region of Armenia

David Nargizian
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AMAA Deputy Armenia representative Aren Deyirmenjian (left) and COAF’s Managing Director Korioun Khatchadourian

YEREVAN—Children of Armenia Fund signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Armenian Missionary Association of America on September 17 to upgrade dairy production in six communities of the Lori region. By improving the pasture and livestock feed production across the region, this project will enhance the quality of raw milk and establish a demand for high-quality dairy products, ultimately impacting regional price dynamics and increasing the revenue of rural milk producers.

The event was held at the COAF SMART Center and attended by representatives from the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) and World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), Caritas Armenia, AMCOR, as well as mayors of the beneficiary communities.

In a constant endeavor to improve the livelihoods of rural children, COAF has integrated Economic Development in its multilayered effort to create the right socio-economic environment for collective progress. As part of its Economic Development program, COAF has earlier launched a project in partnership with the United Nations Development Program. This program has resulted in developing a raspberry value chain in the Lori region by providing berry seedlings, establishing a drip irrigation system, and training over 50 households in berry production and cultivation.

Drawing on successes achieved in this project, COAF is eager to replicate this model for Armenia’s underdeveloped dairy value chain. In joining forces with the AMAA, COAF will be able to make a sustainable impact on Lori’s dairy market by optimizing four existing businesses through innovative and renewable technologies in milk processing. Simultaneously, two new dairy production businesses will be established that will benefit from the enhanced reproductive performance of dairy animals. The improved quality of milk will allow the new businesses to improve livestock production, produce high-quality cheese, and compete in local and international markets.

As part of the project’s capacity-building programs, local farmers will be trained for artificial insemination and cultivation of corn, alfalfa, and sainfoin. Per partners’ estimates, more than 70 job opportunities will be created throughout the project.

The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that employs community-led approaches to improve the quality of life in rural Armenia, with a particular focus on children and youth. COAF’s core development areas are education, healthcare, social services, and economic development. COAF launched its programs in 2004, starting in one village and expanding to 64 villages in the Armavir, Aragatsotn, Lori, Gegharkunik, Shirak, and Tavush regions, impacting more than 107,000 beneficiaries.

Since 2015, COAF has developed and implemented its signature SMART Initiative. COAF SMART is designed to advance generations of rural Armenians through cutting-edge education, focused both on innovation and capacity-building. The first COAF SMART Center was inaugurated on May 27, 2018, near the village of Debet, Lori Region, and will be replicated in communities throughout Armenia.

The Armenian Missionary Association of America was founded on June 7, 1918 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Immediately after the devastating earthquake of 1988 in Armenia, the AMAA worked tirelessly to relieve the pain of those affected by the earthquake by providing food, clothing, medicine, and medical equipment.

In 1991, after the independence of Armenia and following the registration of the AMAA in Armenia, the new headquarters opened in Yerevan. Currently the AMAA operates from dozens of offices in various regions of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh with more than 475 employees. The mission of AMAA Armenia is the promotion of the Armenian people’s welfare. The organization strives to help them improve their lives by providing financial, medical, social, educational, spiritual, cultural and employment assistance. Since 1991 AMAA Armenia reached out to more than 100 000 beneficiaries in difficult life situations. The AMAA has a special focus on child welfare and education, however, it also maintains the integrity and quality of its services to other parts of society.

Baku erects new "You have entered Azerbaijan" signboard on Armenia road

David Nargizian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Sept 14 2021
– 10:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Azerbaijanis have installed a new signboard on the road connecting communities in Armenia’s Syunik province, which reads “Attention: You are entering the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan” in three languages.

An Aysor.am correspondent reporting from the scene reveals that Azerbaijan’s decision to stop and inspect Iranian trucks heading to Armenia has resulted in traffic congestion on the road.

Azerbaijan earlier confirmed that it is collecting money from Iranian truck drivers on the Goris-Kapan interstate road in Armenia’s Syunik province. Azeri police officers deployed on said road demand $130 in cash from the drivers of Iranian trucks transporting goods and products to Armenia, a CivilNet correspondent reported.

The National Security Service of Armenia said earlier that the border guards of the National Security Service of Armenia and the guards of the border service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation are working together to resolve the situation.

Armenia, Georgia give new dynamics to bilateral relations: Expert comments on Pashinyan’s recent visit

David Nargizian

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 09:49,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Expert on Georgian studies Jony Melikyan gave an interview to ARMENPRESS, commenting on the recent official visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Georgia.

Talking about the overall dynamics of the Armenian-Georgian relations, the expert said he has an impression that Tbilisi is sending response signals to Yerevan with the wish to further deepen the bilateral ties.

“In the past there have always been signals from Yerevan to transform, revise and further deepen the relations with Georgia, but the response of Tbilisi has not been so concrete or has been given in a different manner. But today it can already be stated clearly that there are signals, and they are mutual, only concrete programs are needed, the implementation of which will revise and transform our relations”, Jony Melikyan said.

He emphasized that it’s very important that Armenia identifies its friends from the partners and tries to form a joint agenda with them especially now when security issues in the region are not solved yet.

According to Melikyan, the Armenian-Georgian relations are within this context and the fact that the two sides are trying to give a new dynamics to their relations is very important.

“The meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister both in an open and closed format, the extended-format talks attended also by ministers, as well as the meeting with the Georgian President were very important. And it’s also important that this visit is followed by certain steps which will upgrade the bilateral agenda, will bring new projects and directions to the development agenda of the bilateral relations”, the expert said.

Jony Melikyan states that such visits enable to review and summarize the works done so far and outline the future plans. He says that Pashinyan’s visit was directed to this, to revise the Armenian-Georgian relations, to discuss the new developments in the region and initiate new programs.

“It was also mentioned. In my view, that interest is two-sided, both sides are interested. Both Yerevan and Tbilisi will work on this direction and will bring their contribution to the implementation of such projects”, Jony Melikyan said.

The expert notes that the security component has always had a special place in the Armenian-Georgian talks. Before September 27, 2020, Yerevan was informing Tbilisi about all developments related to the Karabakh conflict, presenting its positions.

“The Artsakh issue is not closed, but in line with this, Armenia, based on the November 9 statement, announces that it is ready for the establishment of regional stability and will contribute to the development of the region. The talk is about different infrastructure , unblocking. Yerevan’s “message” is very clear: at this stage Armenia will do everything for the region to be more stable and safe, to develop, which will allow, including Armenia, to get economic benefit and solve all problems caused by the war. Neighbors and first of all Georgia will use this process”, Jony Melikyan said.

The expert also explained why Georgia is actively interested in the implementation of major economic and transportation projects with Armenia. He notes that if the agreements on resumption of communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan are fulfilled, Georgia will lose its monopoly position as a country providing transit communication and roads. Therefore, he said, in order to compensate the future economic losses, Georgia is trying not to be left out from regional developments.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan paid a two-day official visit to Georgia on September 8.

[See Video]
Interview by Aram Sargsyan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian Summer Festival opens in London

David Nargizian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 7 2021
September 7, 2021, 10:28

Armenian Ambassador to the UK Varuzhan Nersesyan participated in the traditional Armenian Summer Festival, organized by the Committee of the Armenian Diocese in Great Britain and Ireland, the Armenian Embassy in UK informs.

The event started with a minute of silence in memory of the Armenians who sacrificed their lives during the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh last year.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Nersesyan attached importance to the organization of the event, during which the best traditions of Armenian culture, history, art and cuisine were presented..

He also stressed the important role of the British-Armenian community in the development and strengthening of bilateral relations, pledging to do his best to expand that cooperation.

Bishop Hovakim Manoogian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Ireland, Baroness Cox, Member of the House of Lords, Rupa Hook, Member of the UK Parliament, Patrick Sukhdeo, President of the Barnabas Foundation, Chairman of the British-Armenian Community Council Armand Abrahamyan, the Mayor of Ealing attended the event.

​ Armenia to call up more reservists for military training

David Nargizian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 2 2021


Armenia to call up more reservists for military training

Armenia will hold trainings for reservists from September 15 to December 15. The relevant decision was adopted by the government today.

A total of 869 citizens will be involved in the training, including 576 will be privates, 107 warrant officers and 186 officers.

Another three-month training for reservists kicked off on August 25 and will continue through November 25.

 

WB: Dare to Succeed: Armenian Women in Small Business

David Nargizian
Sept 3 2021


Five stories of women entrepreneurs from various regions of Armenia engaged in different types of business. Each story portrays their experiences – how the idea of their business originated, the path from idea to getting established, the enabling environment and the kind of constraints they faced and overcame. Each of the five women provides advice to other women interested in setting-up or doing business in Armenia. Their motto: dare to start, dare to proceed, dare to succeed!
 
Watch the video at 

Azerbaijani forces block key road through southern Armenia Azerbaijani forces hav

David Nargizian
EurasiaNet.org
Aug 26 2021
Karine Ghazaryan Aug 26, 2021

The road between the Armenian cities of Goris and Kapan, near the Azerbaijani village of Eyvazli. Azerbaijani soldiers closed this section of the road on August 26, the Armenian authorities reported. (photos: Joshua Kucera)

Azerbaijani forces have blocked two sections of a major road through southern Armenia, Armenian officials have said, following what Azerbaijani officials said was an attack on an Azerbaijani soldier in the area.

Azerbaijani troops blocked the road near the villages of Karmrakar and Shurnukh at about 11 pm on August 25, Armenia’s National Security Service reported. The country’s human rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, wrote on Facebook that the road was blocked by 50 or more Azerbaijani soldiers.

“Russian border guards, Armenian border guards conducted negotiations on the spot to open the road, and through their efforts civilian cars were taken out of the roadblock,” Tatoyan wrote. “This is a pre-planned and an openly hostile act. It is a crime against the civilian population of the Republic of Armenia.”

 

At noon the next day, Tatoyan reported that another section of the road further to the north, near the village of Vorotan, also was blocked. That road remains closed as of the time this article was published. Negotiations are expected to continue but the Azerbaijani side has not presented any demands, Gevorg Parsyan, the mayor of the region’s capital Kapan, told RFE/RL.

Following the end of last year’s war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan regained control over large swathes of its territory, many of which abut or straddle Armenia’s main north-south artery through the region of Syunik. Azerbaijani border guards have since set up several border posts along the road, in sections where the road crosses into Azerbaijani territory, but until now have for the most part maintained a passive posture. Both of the sections they blocked appear to be in what both sides now effectively treat as Azerbaijani territory.

Azerbaijani authorities have yet to comment on the road blockage, but hours before they reported that an Azerbaijani soldier had been stabbed with a bayonet by two Armenian soldiers near Ashaghi Jibikli, which lies on the Azerbaijani side of the border between Karmrakar and Shurnukh.

Armenia denied the allegations, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on Azerbaijan to hand over what evidence it had about the alleged incident.

In an August 26 address to parliament, Pashinyan said that a 21-kilometer section of the road crossed what he called “disputed territories” in some parts. He recited the text of a December agreement according to which Russian border guards would help ensure the security of the road, with Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards also on their respective sides.

He added that alternative roads in that area are being upgraded and that the issue will be for the most part resolved when the construction of a new North-South transport corridor, crossing the entire territory of Armenia, is finalized.

While many Armenian residents of the region have been alarmed by the presence of Azerbaijani border guards, as well as prominently placed Azerbaijani flags and signs reading “Welcome to Azerbaijan” on the sections of the road in their territory, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said they have nothing to worry about.

Aliyev told journalists in February that the “welcome to Azerbaijan” sign on the road was “there to make Armenians driving through that road feel safe in Azerbaijani territory.”

The road closure took place amid simmering tensions between the two countries, including regular skirmishes and exchanges of fire.

On August 25, an Azerbaijani soldier was detained in the town of Martakert in Nagorno-Karabakh. Police in the de facto republic reported that the soldier, Jamil Babayev, was found in a house in the town; he was charged with illegal border crossing and threatening the residents of the house, which included children.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry confirmed that Babayev had crossed the line of control, and reported that Babayev had “voluntarily” left the psychiatric department of Ganja Hospital. “It is believed that our serviceman crossed into the territory controlled by Russian peacekeepers,” the statement said.

Two days earlier, Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported that Senior Lieutenant Artur Davidyan had left his position, crossed into Azerbaijani-controlled territory due to poor visibility and got lost. He has not been found yet. The ministry did not report which part of the border Davidyan had crossed. 

 

Heydar Isayev contributed reporting.

Karine Ghazaryan is a freelance journalist covering Armenia.

Caucasian Knot | Political analysts explain Baku’s conditions for negotiations with Armenia

David Nargizian
Caucasian Knot, EU
Aug 27 2021
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The Armenian leadership is speeding up negotiations, as it is morally ready for compromises with Azerbaijan on the issue of border delimitation, Azerbaijani political analysts believe, adding that Baku will meet Yerevan halfway on economic issues, but under no circumstances will agree to discuss the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Yerevan is ready to resume negotiations with the participation of the OSCE and treats them as a guarantee of restoring security in Karabakh, Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has stated. In his turn, Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliev, believes that the peace treaty should be based on mutual recognition of the territorial integrity.

In the opinion of Shakhin Gadjiev, the editor of the “Turan” News Agency, Nikol Pashinyan realizes the need to resolve the conflict with Azerbaijan, without which Armenia will not be able to normalize its relations with Turkey and embark on the path of economic development.

“The maps agreed during the Soviet period should be taken as a reference point,” the “Verelq.Am” portal has quoted Mr Pashinyan as saying.

According to Gadjiev, Pashinyan hints that in exchange for the recognition of territorial integrity, Armenia hopes for the restoration of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAR), which had been a part of Azerbaijan. However, in Gadjiev’s opinion, Azerbaijan will no longer agree to the restoration of the NKAR as autonomy with broad powers.

In his words, Azerbaijan will not discuss the status of its territories with Armenia.

At the same time, Azerbaijan can offer Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians cultural autonomy and investments in the development of the region. However, the condition for this will be the acceptance of Azerbaijani citizenship by Karabakh Armenians, Shakhin Gadjiev has concluded.

The main task now is to establish mutual trust, Avaz Gasanov, the head of the Society for Humanitarian Studies, has stated. As for the future of Karabakh Armenians, in his opinion, when traces of war are still fresh in memory, it is impossible to resolve any political issues.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 26, 2021 at 04:38 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:

Analysts assess likelihood of attracting foreign peacemakers to Karabakh conflict zone, Armenia and Azerbaijan return to pre-war shelling frequency on border, Political analysts assess chances to revive Armenian-Azerbaijani talks within OSCE Minsk Group.

Author: Faik Medjid; Source: CK correspondent

Source:

© Caucasian Knot