On March 14, Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia, stated in a podcast that a peace agreement without guarantees cannot ensure lasting stability, emphasizing that “peace cannot depend on the goodwill of one person.” He noted that earlier discussions on a peace declaration lacked legal grounding and failed to include mechanisms such as international guarantees or guarantor states.
Kocharyan stressed that durable peace requires enforceable guarantees, pointing to international examples. Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian process, he stated that despite initial optimism following the Oslo Accords, the absence of concrete guarantees led to renewed violence. He also cited Cyprus, where despite the absence of a formal peace treaty since 1974, a system of guarantees has helped maintain stability. “We want both a peace treaty and guarantees,” he emphasized.
He argued that Armenia previously acted as a guarantor alongside Russia but later abandoned this role, which, in his view, contributed to the collapse of the existing security framework. He stated that Russia had served both as a mediator and a guarantor after the war, but the structure weakened when Armenia withdrew from that format. According to Kocharyan, the absence of binding guarantees leaves future developments dependent on changing political circumstances and individual decisions.
Kocharyan rejected accusations that he opposes peace, stating that guarantees would constrain both Armenia and Azerbaijan and contribute to long-term stability. He questioned why such guarantees are not being actively pursued, noting that no concrete steps have been taken to involve international actors. He expressed the view that sustainable peace should not be tied to any individual leader, including Nikol Pashinyan or Ilham Aliyev.
He stated that if a comprehensive peace agreement with guarantees were achieved, it would reduce the political significance of individual leaders in maintaining stability. According to Kocharyan, “we need a lasting peace that doesn’t depend on political calculations,” emphasizing that both sides would benefit from a system capable of preventing renewed conflict and limiting potential revanchist tendencies.
Kocharyan also referred to past negotiations, including discussions in Key West, where a bilateral agreement was expected to be supported by international guarantees from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs—the United States, France, and Russia. He emphasized that most conflicts occur between neighboring states, making external guarantees essential for ensuring long-term reliability.
He stated that both the US and Russia could potentially act as guarantors, noting that the conflict is not existential for either power and could allow for cooperation. However, he argued that the current Armenian leadership has not made efforts to engage such mechanisms, describing the existing approach as focused on short-term political objectives rather than long-term stability.
Kocharyan further stated that the absence of guaranteed peace creates ongoing risks, emphasizing that a “dignified peace” should eliminate the need for continuous concessions and uncertainty. He warned that without firm guarantees, peace would remain fragile and dependent on shifting political dynamics.
He also addressed Armenia’s economic situation, stating that recent improvements are linked to external factors following the Russia-Ukraine war rather than structural strength. He emphasized that the current economic model remains vulnerable and warned of potential challenges if geopolitical conditions change. According to Kocharyan, Armenia’s economy requires stronger industrial development and a clearer alignment between foreign policy and economic priorities.
Kocharyan noted that Armenia’s economic ties are heavily connected to Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, arguing that a shift toward the European Union without corresponding economic integration could create risks. He emphasized that foreign policy decisions should reflect economic realities, adding that Russia’s contribution to Armenia’s economy is often underestimated.
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The US has serious weapons problems. Arman Grigoryan
March: 15, 2026
“Pressing” in the program the guest is political scientist, professor of Lehigh University, USA, Arman Grigoryanr:։
At the core of the conversation are the characteristics, goals and distance of the American-Israeli attack against Irankwere the blood. In that context, it was also mentioned that the US has problems with weapons.
«The USA has a problem of weapons deficit. There are weapons that take a year to produce. 2 days ago, Trump met with several organizations that produce weapons, and he strongly demanded to speed up the production of weapons, because the arsenals are emptying.
In this regard, the strategy of Iran is very important, that they are able to use their ballistic missiles and drones of the old generation cheaply. Anti-missile defense systems do not distinguish whether they shoot down old ballistic missiles and drones or new ones. Its purpose is to disrupt the enemy’s anti-missile system, which Iran also seems to be succeeding in doing.Arman Grigoryan said.
Details in the video.
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Armenian Science on the European Stage: NAS RA proposal selected for funding u
National Academy of Sciences press release
In 2026–2027, Armenia will host the large-scale science outreach events European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools for the first time.
The “ERNA – European Researchers’ Night in Armenia” proposal submitted by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) has succeeded the MSCA & Citizens 2025 Action organized by the European Commission.
The MSCA & Citizens 2025 call is implemented within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program, which is part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe framework.
Out of 241 submitted proposals, 49 projects from 40 countries were selected. The European Commission allocated €16.3 million in funding for the implementation of these projects.
The ERNA project of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia will be implemented during 2026–2027 and will include two main program components:
1. European Researchers’ Night
2. Researchers at Schools
During these events, scientists, early-career researchers, and students will interact with citizens, school pupils, and young people, presenting the world of science through live experiments, demonstrations, public lectures, and interactive activities.
Following its moto “Science for Citizens, Citizens for Science: Building the Future by Confronting Challenges,” the ERNA project aims to:
promote direct dialogue between researchers and society, increase public awareness of science and innovation, present the role of scientists in modern society, strengthen young people’s interest in scientific and research careers.
The initiative is fully aligned with the functions assigned to the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia under the Law of the Republic of Armenia On Higher Education and Science. These functions include:
promoting the popularization and public communication of science, strengthening the scientific community and developing scientific expertise, expanding international cooperation in science and integrating Armenia into the European Research Area.
Through the implementation of the ERNA project, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia not only represents the Armenian scientific community on the European stage but also fulfills its mission of bringing science closer to society, a responsibility assigned to the Academy by law.
The European Researchers’ Night initiative is held every year in hundreds of cities across Europe, attracting millions of visitors. In 2026 and 2027, this celebration of science will take place in Armenia for the first time, creating a new platform for active cooperation between science, education, and society.
This achievement is an important step toward a future where science is accessible to society, and where the younger generation sees science as a path for personal development and career opportunities.
The project partners are the Higher Education and Science Committee of MoESCS of RA, “Scientific and Innovation Partnership Assistance Center” Foundation, “Armbiotechnology” SPC, and Enterprise Incubator Foundation.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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Pashinyan, Macron discuss Armenia-France cooperation and regional issues
A meeting between Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron took place in Paris, the PM’s Office said in a readout.
The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues on the agenda of Armenia-France bilateral relations. In particular, they touched upon issues related to the deepening of political dialogue, the implementation of joint programs in the economy and infrastructure sectors.
The parties also exchanged views on regional developments, both emphasizing the continuity of consistent efforts aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.
Nikol Pashinyan and Emmanuel Macron also touched upon the prospects for the further development of Armenia-European Union cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of deepening partnership in various directions and effectively promoting joint initiatives.
Published by Armenpress, original at
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What do Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku warn about in the war against Iran?
March: 12, 2026
Yesterday, from the podium of the European Parliament, Nikol Pashinyan referred to the ongoing war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He mentioned that the positive image he presented regarding the relations with the USA, the TRIPP project, is overshadowed by the events that are taking place in the neighborhood of Armenia, in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in a number of Middle Eastern countries. He specifically said:
“Iran is our good friend, our thousand-year-old neighbor. You have already seen the extent of our relations with the United States. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria are our good partners. We have recently taken a historic step with Saudi Arabia and established diplomatic relations. We are pained to see what is happening in the Middle East. In the background of such an international crisis, moreover, we are a small, modest country, and we can only pray for the peace of the souls of all the victims and the wisdom of our fellow leaders to find diplomatic solutions before the minute.”
Earlier, we also touched on the issue that the Armenian side has taken a distant position regarding the Iran-US-Israel military confrontation, especially in the Iranian direction, which was confirmed by Nikol Pashinyan’s statement. Since the unleashed war against Iran, the Armenian side has not distinguished itself by initiating close contacts with high-ranking officials of Iran, etc.
RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, and according to the message spread by the Iranian side, he expressed his willingness to provide humanitarian support. And the fact that no humanitarian aid was sent from Armenia to Iran is noteworthy here.
This is especially interesting, remembering the fact that in the case of the earthquake in Turkey, the Armenian side did not waste time and sent aid to Turkey. However, against the background of this caution of the RA authorities, it recently became known that Armenia will most likely sign the comprehensive strategic document with Iran during Pashinyan’s visit to Iran.
Unlike the official Yerevan, Baku, despite having serious differences with Iran, tried to make gestures towards Iran. Ilham Aliyev visited the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan and expressed his condolences to the ambassador on the occasion of the death of Ali Khamenei, the supreme spiritual leader of Iran.
The Nakhichevan incident slightly changed Azerbaijan’s position, the leadership of Azerbaijan made several sharp statements, but these days it continues to maintain neutrality and caution, while maintaining close relations with Israel. Azerbaijan also sent humanitarian aid to Iran, by the way, after the Nakhijevan incident.
The authorities of Georgia are also showing noticeable caution, although a number of non-governmental figures note the growth of Iranian influence in Georgia, once a close partner of the United States.
Russian analyst, orientalist Victor Nadein-Raevsky 168.amtold that in the conditions of the Iran-US-Israel conflict, the positioning of the three countries of the South Caucasus is actually cautious, which is due not only to geopolitical calculations, but also to the vulnerability of the region.
He noted that the South Caucasus is in the immediate vicinity of the conflict, and any drastic statement or position can quickly turn into a political or security risk. For this reason, according to the analyst, all three countries are trying to avoid an open orientation and preserve the possibility of diplomatic maneuvering.
“Iran is an extremely important country for Armenia, unlike Azerbaijan and Georgia. This is especially due to the important strategic relations with Iran, Iran is not only an economic and energy partner for Armenia, but also a regional exit, especially in the conditions when Armenia has closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan. At the same time, Armenia has greatly deepened its relations with the West, so it cannot ignore the West’s position towards Iran, which is why the rhetoric and steps are extremely neutral, although the importance and role of Iran for Armenia cannot be overestimated,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
He believes that Azerbaijan’s position in terms of Iran is more complicated.
“On the one hand, Baku has close strategic and military cooperation with Israel, which is an important technological and defense partner for it. On the other hand, Iran is Azerbaijan’s immediate neighbor, and any drastic stance can aggravate the already tense relations with Tehran. For this reason, Baku is trying to maintain caution, not endangering either the partnership with Israel or the stability of relations with Iran.
In addition, Azerbaijan is trying to take steps in the Iranian direction to prove that it is neutral or supports Iran. In the case of Azerbaijan, the Western factor is not so significant, although at this stage, Azerbaijan also has a closer partnership with both the USA and the EU than before,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
Speaking about Georgia, he said that Georgia’s caution is mainly due to its foreign political balance.
“Tbilisi tries not to deepen the problems with the West, but at the same time avoids getting involved in regional military confrontations. The priority for Georgia is regional stability and the security of economic communications, as any escalation can endanger the energy and transport corridors that pass through the country. From this point of view, Georgia has concrete concerns,” the analyst noted, continuing that caution is important in a broader sense as well.
In his opinion, the South Caucasus is a region where the interests of big states intersect, and any miscalculation can quickly change the balance of security.
“The cautious policy of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan shows the fear that the tension in the Middle East can easily be transferred to the South Caucasus, as it was transferred to neighboring countries of Iran, where there are American bases,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
It should also be reminded that recently the President of the Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a decision was made in Iran not to target the neighboring countries, if there is no threat from those countries.
“Those bases that are used to attack our country will remain our target within the scope of our legal right,” Pezeshkian said in a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
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Alen Simonyan discusses the return of the Armenian POWs with German colleagues
17:52,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. On February 26, the Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan received the delegation led by the Chairwoman of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the FRG Bundestag Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, the press service of the Armenian National Assembly said in a statement.
The Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Vladimir Vardanyan also attended the meeting.
According to the source, welcoming the guests, Alen Simonyan highly appreciated the stable development of friendly relations with Germany, emphasizing the promotion of inter-parliamentary cooperation also in the format of mutual visits.
Alen Simonyan thanked the German colleagues for their continuous support for democratic reforms in Armenia, highlighted the contribution of the Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the process of establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We greatly appreciate the strong democratic values established in Armenia since 2018 and are ready to support the development of democratic institutions in Armenia, as well as the establishment of peace in the region,” Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker noted.
It is noted that Alen Simonyan presented to his German colleagues the consequences of Azerbaijan's bellicose policy, raised the issue of the return of the Armenian prisoners of war, to which Azerbaijan shows a destructive approach.
The interlocutors exchanged ideas on Armenia-Germany inter-parliamentary relations, the deepening of Armenia-EU cooperation, the establishment of security in the South Caucasus and a number of other issues.
Azerbaijani Press: Escalation of the arms race between Azerbaijan and Armenia
In the shadow of the South Caucasus, a region marred by historical tensions and recent conflicts, the arms race between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues to escalate, fueled by geopolitical maneuvers and military acquisitions. Against the background of Armenia's strategic shift towards France and the acquisition of advanced weapons, Azerbaijan responds with its own rearmament, creating conditions for an unstable military balance in the region.
Armenia's recent moves towards France, a NATO member, signal a significant geopolitical recalibration. The visit of French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecorgne to Yerevan in February 2024 was an important milestone, underlining Armenia's desire for closer ties with Western partners. This diplomatic approach is reflected in Armenia's strategic decision to freeze its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a move that underscores Yerevan's willingness to diversify its security partnerships beyond traditional alliances.
In tandem with its diplomatic maneuvers, Armenia participates in an active process of military modernization, conducted mainly by French and partly by Indian suppliers.
Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan stated that "The Republic of Armenia purchases weapons and ammunition in order to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The weapons and ammunition purchased by the Republic of Armenia are not aimed at aggression against any country," Papikyan said.
However, it is known that any defensive weapon can be used to attack, since at least it protects its troops on the defensive and ensures the safety of the attackers.
Let us compare the potential combat capabilities of the two opposing armies as of February 2024.
According to the French financing bill for 2024, Armenia has already received 24 Bastion armored personnel carriers and is waiting for another 26 armored vehicles, which are currently in production. The draft law specifies the need for the delivery of defensive weapons as soon as possible at the request of Armenia in order ”not to repeat the mistakes made in the situation with Ukraine.”
French Bastion armored vehicles are capable of protecting the crew and military personnel from small arms, machine guns and fragments of artillery shells. The car is equipped with ballistic armor (protecting against bullets and shrapnel), as well as similar ballistic glass. The level of protection, according to the NATO classification, is from the first to the third, that is, the armor of the car can save from bullets, hand grenades, shrapnel and mines. There are no grenades launched from an infantry shoulder-mounted grenade launcher in this list, that is, the Bastion crew will burn from the first shot of an Azerbaijani grenade launcher.
Judging by the photos distributed from Armenia, the French armored personnel carriers are supplied without proper machine-gun weapons.
In October 2023, France and Armenia signed a Memorandum of Intent in the field of air defense. The document was accompanied by contracts for the purchase of three Ground Master radars (GM200), as well as night vision devices. Radar manufactured by Thalès Corporation can detect aerial objects within a radius of 250 km, and night optics are manufactured by Safran Corporation. On February 22, Armenia received a batch of radars and night vision devices, the Figaro newspaper reported.
It is reported that France may supply Yerevan with Mistral short-, medium- and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems. These installations are mounted on a light vehicle (Bastion can be used). They are capable of hitting targets with low thermal visibility, an interception range of up to 8 km, and a target height of 500 m to 6 km. Installations with Mistral are easily hit by any drone.
The French Armed Forces will conduct courses in mountain warfare for the Armenian Armed Forces in three stages.
However, the effectiveness of these acquisitions in deterring potential adversaries remains the subject of close attention, especially in light of the military buildup of Azerbaijan itself.
In response to Armenia's rearmament efforts, Azerbaijan has embarked on its own ambitious military expansion, characterized by a variety of acquisitions and strategic partnerships. After the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan has prioritized strengthening its armed forces, using partnerships with regional allies such as Turkiye and Pakistan to purchase modern weapons and strengthen its defense capabilities.
Expert Fikret Mammadov assessed the new weapons of the two countries. In an interview with Turan, he began with the rearmament of the Azerbaijani army. Immediately after the war, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan increased the number of army-wide special forces, created on the model of the Turkish commando. To begin with, 3 brigades (about 10,000 military) have been formed and further expansion is now underway.
The Israeli “Hetz-3” missile defense system was purchased, which can intercept ballistic missiles in the exosphere at an altitude of up to 100 kilometers and at a distance of 400 to 2.4 thousand kilometers. They were created as an antidote specifically against Iranian ballistic missiles.
“Akinci” UAVs have been purchased from Turkiye. The main purpose of the purchase is the system's ability to launch SOM missiles with a range of up to 250 km. Turkiye had restrictions on their sale, since the engines were not Turkish, and the manufacturer put a ban on sales to Azerbaijan. Now there is no such barrier, the Turks make the engines themselves.
Recently, it was reported about the purchase of Pakistani JF-17 Block III aircraft (most likely in the amount of 25 units). The planes are quite suitable for war in our region and are certainly better than what we have in service today. A slightly weak radar "sees" targets with an effective scattering area (ESA) of 3 meters at a distance of 115 km, and what is lower, for example, an ESA of 1 square meter at a distance of 85 km.
And American fifth-generation ESA fighters have only 0.0001 square meters, that is, our pilot will see it at a distance of no more than 25 km, and he will see ours at a distance of 225 km. By the time the JF-17 pilot starts rubbing his eyes, he will be shot down by launching a rocket from a distance of 150 km.
But Azerbaijan is unlikely to have to fight with the United States and NATO. The JF-17 Block III will be opposed by Russian fighters (Armenia, Russia and Iran have them). These aircraft will fight with them at a very decent level, experiencing difficulties only with the Su-35. Pakistani aircraft can also be used as missile defense systems to neutralize enemy missiles.
According to their characteristics, the Pakistani fighters fully comply with the latest modifications of the F-16, which Turkey and all other NATO countries are armed with, F.Mammadov noted.
As both Azerbaijan and Armenia continue to strengthen their military capabilities through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, the fragile balance of power in the South Caucasus faces unprecedented challenges. The proliferation of modern weapons and the possibility of miscalculations raise concerns about the stability and security of the region, the consequences of which go beyond the borders of these two countries.
Of particular concern is the risk of unintended escalation caused by the deployment of modern weapons and the potential for increased tensions along disputed border areas. The introduction of modern missile defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles complicates an already unstable security situation, increasing the likelihood of destabilizing incidents.
In this context, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote confidence-building measures are of paramount importance. International shareholders, including regional Powers and global players such as the European Union and the United Nations, should actively participate in promoting dialogue and reducing the risk of conflict escalation.
https://turan.az/en/caucasus/escalation-of-the-arms-race-between-azerbaijan-and-armenia-777796
Russia releases Azerbaijani national wanted by Armenia after brief arrest
16:17,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian authorities have released Azerbaijani national Kamil Zeynalli after briefly detaining him at a Moscow airport pursuant to an Armenian international arrest warrant, his lawyer has said.
Kamil Zeynalli’s lawyer Alekber Garayev told Azeri media that his client is wanted by Armenia under Article 135 (crimes against humanity), 147 (mercenaryism) and 149 (aggression) of the Armenian Criminal Code.
Other media reports said Zeynalli is also wanted under Article 140 (war crimes committed through prohibited methods of warfare).
The general prosecution of Armenia, however, told Armenpress that they don’t have any official information about Zeynalli’s arrest in Moscow.
Zeynalli is on Armenia’s interstate wanted list, Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Narek Sargsyan told Armenpress. He did not elaborate. “The mentioned individual is on the interstate wanted list on a murder charge,” he said.
Chidem Inch: The mountain once known as…
In the Soviet era, Armenia, like other SSRs, had its own coat of arms. The Armenian Coat of Arms had an image of Ararat wreathed in two stalks of wheat with a red star and hammer and sickle above the two peaks. In the 1950s, Turkey complained to the USSR about using ‘its’ mountain on the Armenian SSR Coat of Arms. It was concerned that the USSR might have designs on taking Turkish territory. Per his memoirs, Nikita Khrushchev retorted, “Why do you have a moon depicted on your flag? After all, the moon doesn’t belong to Turkey, not even half the moon. Do you want to take over the whole universe?” I distinctly recall reading, years ago, that Armenian Communist Anastas Mikoyan had a similar exchange with a senior Turkish official, who asked, “Who gave you permission to use our mountain on your Coat of Arms?” Mikoyan supposedly answered, “Who gave you permission to use the moon on yours?” (I say supposedly because I have been unable to verify Mikoyan’s version.)
The Turks have raised the issue of Ararat on official Armenian symbols again this year. They object to the use of Ararat on the current Armenian Coat of Arms and the word ‘enemy’ in the Armenian National Anthem. How they figured out that they themselves are the enemy is beyond me. By chance, as I write this I am wearing an Ara the Rat hoodie with a picture of the two peaks and the words, “Out of bounds, but never out of sight.” This is our circumstance, our vidjag, that the symbol of our nation, the mountain of our hearts and souls, revered in song, poetry and art, lies not in our country but in our enemy’s country.
Mount Ararat (Photo: Serouj Ourishian, Wikimedia)
Imagine if, because of war and arbitrary borders, Mount Fuji was no longer in Japan. It is unfathomable for any educated person with a basic knowledge of geography and history. Well, with regard to Ararat, the unfathomable is a reality Armenians can see every day.
At many Armenian cultural events we attend or in articles we read, we see or hear the line, “We are unmovable, like our mountains.” I understand the sentiment and its inspirational intent. But, as it often can be, the truth is much harsher. Our borders can and have been moved; our people can and indeed have been moved from our unmovable mountains.
Who moved the borders? Who eliminated our people from our unmovable mountains?
At many Armenian cultural events we attend or in articles we read, we see or hear the line, “We are unmovable, like our mountains.” I understand the sentiment and its inspirational intent. But, as it often can be, the truth is much harsher. Our borders can and have been moved; our people can and indeed have been moved from our unmovable mountains.
This was done in 1915 in Western Armenia and again just a few months ago in Artsakh. Might we call these people, oh, I don’t know, enemies? Turkey has an issue with the word enemy in the third verse of our national anthem. Again, for some reason, they believe it may refer to themselves. Sounds like paranoia to me. They ask for this change while simultaneously supplying their latest drones to surrogate Azerbaijan, who keeps threatening to take what it calls ‘Western Azerbaijan.’ This sure sounds like an enemy to me. I would want more than a tricolor to shine against such an enemy – maybe some seriously high-tech weapons of my own. Perhaps we can call it ‘the iron ladle’ drone.
We would not feel any safer by acquiescing to these requests to change our National Anthem or eliminate Ararat from our Coat of Arms. It rings more of subjugation than negotiations for border delineation and security. Yet, the government of the Republic of Armenia is considering these changes. But negotiations tend to go the way of the 800-pound gorilla in the relationship, and clearly, the Republic of Armenia is not the 800-pound gorilla.
Maybe we can borrow from Prince’s playbook and no longer refer to Ararat or Masis but instead ‘the mountain formerly known as…’ We don’t even have to use the words Ararat or Masis. We could conjure up an abstract symbol, again a la Prince, to replace the names Ararat and Masis. I might recommend, and I am just spit-balling here, the Greek letter beta: β. They might not get that it is just a stylized graphic of Ararat rotated clockwise 90 degrees.
Per the Khrushchev-Mikoyan story, this is nothing new for Turkey. Here is another example. About a dozen years ago, I organized a concert with a singer born and raised in Istanbul. One of the songs we planned for her to sing was ‘Khnjouki Yerk,’ based on the endearing poem by Armenian poet Sarmen. The first two lines of the poem are:
Seghann eh arad,
Timatsn Ararat…
The abundant table
Set under Ararat…
She had learned a version of the song without a reference to Ararat. Even though she attended an Armenian school, they had to comply with state regulations and censorship in this regard. It would be beyond horrible for schools in the Republic of Armenia to ever have to follow the same rules as Armenian schools in Istanbul.
If this were to happen and, sadly, such concessions have been considered, I would surely be in favor of changing Armenia’s National Anthem. But I would also change the first line from:
Mer hayrenik, azad angakh…
Our fatherland, free, independent…
Back to Mikayel Nalbandian’s first line:
Mer hayrenik, tshvar, ander…
Our fatherland, miserable, barren…
For Me, Family and Homeland Are a Whole That Cannot Be Separated: Saribek Sukiasyan
14:43,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Banks are the driving force of the economy, and Armeconombank improves its online and mobile systems year by year, which allows us to be competitive in the market.
Saribek Sukiasyan, Chairman of the Board of Armeconombank, said this during his interview with Tert.am.
Mr. Sukiasyan also commented on the current development trends in the Armenian banking sector and a number of economy-related matters.
– Mr. Sukiasyan, technologies and information are important attributes in the 21st century. How current is the Armenian banking sector with the new developments in IT sector?
– Today's reality is already unimaginable without digital technologies, and this is especially true for the banking sector. Today, Armenian banks spare no expense to obtain the most advanced technologies and make customer service more comfortable.
Currently, the competition between Armenian banks is quite intense. Customers have the opportunity to compare the quality of products, services, and customer service offered by banks and select the financial institution that suits their needs the best.
Armeconombank spends significant amounts on purchase and maintenance of new technologies, improves its online and mobile systems year by year, which allows us to be competitive in the market and meet the demands of our customers to the maximum extent by expanding the range of online transactions. Now our customers also have the option to purchase digital cards.
In order to ensure the smooth operation of the bank, last year we upgraded the servers, and we continuously purchase new generation equipment such as metal card embossers, new generation ATMs, and electronic signature equipment.
– How would you evaluate Armeconombank’s role in the development of the Armenian banking sector? How favorable was the last year like for the bank, what achievements would you highlight?
- In 2023, the bank carried out two successful placements of shares, which increased the bank's capital by more than AMD 3bn, and the number of shareholders increased by nearly 1200 to reach about 7000. This is another evidence of the permanent confidence in Armeconombank.
With special attention to the proper implementation of the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing function, Armeconombank launched the Siron software solution package which is currently one of the most advanced and widely used financial crime detection platforms in the world. It is especially valuable in today’s situation where the sanctions imposed on different countries and individuals are altered day by day. Traditionally, Armeconombank strictly follows the measures aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing and refrains from servicing any transactions related to the countries, banks, and customers included in various sanction lists.
As for banking products, the bank was the first in Armenia to issue Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum metal cards which provide various advantages to customers. We have always aimed to have a special position among the best banks that offer exclusive products.
Last year the bank introduced Visa Guru card which offers numerous benefits, jointly with TEL-CELL CJSC it started issuing co-branded (virtual) cards, and also joined the noncash transaction-based pension and welfare cashback project. Of course, there were also other new products and projects which you can explore by visiting Armeconombank’s website.
- Mr. Sukiasyan, what are any problems in the banking sector of our country today that require an urgent solution? To what extent do banks contribute to the economic growth of Armenia today?
- Banks are the driving force of the economy, and it is simply impossible to imagine the economy without them. Contrary to the opinion of a vast segment of the community, all Armenian banks except the Central Bank of Armenia are private and are for-profit organizations like any business and, being major taxpayers, they greatly contribute to economic growth. As we know, Armenians traditionally aspire to own their own homes, and this is mainly made possible due to the home loans offered by banks.
Banks greatly support startup businesses with their loan projects and offer opportunities for further expansion as well. Business entities, as they create added value, start paying taxes. As you can see, this is a chain reaction in which its participants contribute to each other's well-being and all together they contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Indeed, there are times of challenges for the country's economy, including banks, but I must say that we have always been able to keep the situation under control, thereby distinguishing ourselves from neighboring countries where shock situations were much more painful for the country's economy and population. This, of course, was greatly facilitated by the fact that the Central Bank of Armenia made decisions independently without any interference from outside.
– In Armenia, the introduction of a universal system of income declaration for individuals in a phased manner commenced this year. In your opinion, shouldn't the private sector also be public in terms of its databases, especially since the structures under your management operate by this standard?
– The introduction of the income declaration system for individuals is an important step indeed, but there are a few steps that should have been taken before the introduction of this system. In particular, I refer to major Armenian taxpayer entities, the operations of which should be as transparent as possible for the society: they must publish their balance sheet, management remunerations, independent auditor’s report, and strategic development plans for the next 3 years. If these entities have share placements, shouldn't all of this information be available to potential investors, both domestic and foreign?
After all, the availability of these conditions speaks of a company's transparency and its attractiveness for investors. The investor should have the opportunity to correctly assess the profitability of the investment for himself, for example, whether to place a deposit or buy shares.
Why do we always see the same entities in top 1000 Armenian taxpayer list, why don’t small businesses in Armenia strive to turn into medium businesses, or medium ones into large ones? This raises many questions. The economic policy of the state should be aimed at contributing to this transformation, otherwise we will not have progress or we will have very slow growth rates.
– The government of Armenia decided to take over a part of the banking liabilities and credit burden of the Republic of Artsakh. Naturally, all this was done with the support of financial institutions. Mr. Sukiasyan, how would you rate the contribution of the private sector to this matter?
– The steps taken by the government in that difficult situation were top important. I never expected the government to take over the losses and make housing arrangements for forcibly displaced people so quickly and effectively. Our international partners were puzzled how the country had more than a hundred thousand displaced people and never needed any tent towns.
As for the contribution of the banks to that case, they took over a part of the losses in coordination with the government. Armeconombank, in addition to such losses, also returned the gold pledged in the bank to our displaced compatriots in an attempt to lighten their burden a little.
– Succession of generations is important for the recovery of any industry. What would you say about the political succession of generations and the importance of the role of young people?
– I am not involved in politics, and I have no desire to get involved either; let the politicians deal with it while I stay in my native private sector. I will answer your question only with regard to the economic sphere. Age is not important, what really matters is the employee's knowledge, desire and ability to work and create added value. These are the criteria applied for selecting employees for Armeconombank.
Today the system works and I am satisfied with the outcome; everyone in the Bank is a professional. As for myself, I have never been clinging to my chair, so later I can leave my office to another professional or one of the younger members of our family with no worry.
– By the way, regarding the family: Do you have the time to be with your family?
– Definitely, despite my workload, I always make time for my family. I love our large family, I like to spend time with my family as it gives me incredible peace, and I like to contribute to the lives of children. It is true that the main burden of raising the family falls on mothers, but I believe that the man should also have his, even if small, part in this important job. For me, family and homeland are a whole that cannot be separated. If you love one, you love the other.
– Lessons learned and current challenges. Today, Armenia is facing challenges and hard decisions. What do you think is the key to overcoming the challenges the country has been facing?
Only and solely the development of the economy, this is what I see as the key to success. A country with a developed economy is attractive to investors, and it is a country to be reckoned with since it has things to offer to the world.
– Armenia's independence faces threats today. Mr. Sukiasyan, in your opinion, what are the main ways to safekeep and strengthen the country's independence?
– You divert the topic to politics again; let me answer in a slightly different way. I would simply say that I do believe that we will preserve our independence thanks to our mentality, our ideas and, of course, our inner transformation. We should move on with the idea of becoming a country with a developed economy, whose actions and opinions are taken into account. Independence can only be preserved by contributions made by all of us, and by our hard work. We do not have to love each other, but we do have to compete with each other in free and fair conditions.
– Each of us has an individual responsibility to regenerate our dream homeland every day. It requires dedication in the first place. In your opinion, what is the value system that the society will employ to develop and rebuild our homeland, and what are the elements of this system?
– The duty of regenerating the country, naturally, implies unconditional dedication, and dedication to your work above all. You have to work, you have to pay taxes to make your country strong and prosperous. We must instill a passion for hard work in the future generations so that we can have the homeland of our dreams.