Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Decline of state debt, increase in tax revenues, 7% economic growth: Finance minister comments on 2020 budget draft

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 15:54,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s 2020 state budget draft, which has been approved by the government and has been submitted for the Parliament’s debate, is expected to greatly lower the state debt and increase the tax revenues, Minister of Finance Tigran Khachatryan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

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“Compared to 2020, as a precondition for a stable macroeconomic policy, we plan to greatly lower the debt with the results of 2022. As of 2020, we had a 63.5% debt against GDP. We believe that 2022 would be the year that this figure will be approximately 60% against GDP, which is a very important precondition for ensuring favorable environment for macroeconomic stability and long-term economic growth”, the minister said.

The government plans to greatly increase its tax revenue opportunities. It’s expected that in 2021 the taxes against GDP must be nearly 22.5%, whereas in 2022 it’s expected to be nearly 23.4% with the improvement of tax collection process.

The law on the State Budget envisages financing the infrastructure programs worth over 350 billion drams, whereas in 2021 this money was nearly 215 billion drams.

The economic growth is expected to be 7% in 2022. This is the minimum assessment put on the basis of the government’s five-year action plan.

As for the inflation, the minister said that it is high this year. The Central Bank is running a respective policy to return it to manageability by the end of the year. “In 2022-2023 the inflation is expected to return to a medium-term policy target framework, in other words the Central Bank would seek to return it to about 4% within two years. It would be much stable than it is expected in 2021”, the minister added.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia local elections: Voter turnout at 33.23% as of 8pm when polls closed

Elizabeth Jabejian
News.am, Armenia
Oct 17 2021
22:24, 17.10.2021

As of 8pm when the polls closed, a total of 55,410—or 33.23 percent—of the 166,753 eligible voters cast their ballots in Sunday’s local elections that were held in nine communities in Armenia. 

Accordingly, the voter turnoutin Gyumri was 21.14 percent, in Goris—50.25 percent, in Tatev—62.66 percent, in Tegh—60.64 percent, in Meghri—59.47 percent, and in Dilijan—44 percent.

Proportional-representation elections were conducted Sunday for council members in Gyumri city of Shirak Province, as well as in Goris and Meghri cities and Tatev and Tegh villages of Syunik Province.


Asbarez: Dr. Umit Kurt to Discuss ‘The Armenians of Aintab’ in Zoom Presentation

Elizabeth Jabejian
by Contributor

 

 

 

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Dr. Ümit Kurt

Dr. Ümit Kurt, a Polonsky Fellow at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem, will speak on “The Armenians of Aintab: The Economics of Genocide in an Ottoman Province” in a zoom presentation. The presentation, which will be held on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. PST, is part of the Fall 2021 Lecture Series of the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno. The lecture is based on the publication of his new book, “The Armenians of Aintab: The Economics of Genocide in an Ottoman Province” (Harvard University Press, 2021).

Ümit Kurt, born and raised in Gaziantep, Turkey, was astonished to learn that his hometown, called Aintab by the Ottomans, once had a large Armenian community. The Armenian presence had not only been destroyed—it had been replaced. Gaziantep was a typical Turkish city. Kurt provides an invaluable account of Genocide at ground level by digging into the details of the Armenian dispossession, examining, in particular, the population that gained from ethnic cleansing. Records demonstrate how much new wealth became available when the prosperous Armenians were ejected. Kurt shows that the prospect of material gain was a key motivator of support for the genocide. Those who benefited most then financed the nationalist movement that brought the modern Turkish republic into being. The economic elite of Aintab was thus reconstituted along both ethnic and political lines.

Ümit Kurt is a historian of the late Ottoman Empire with a particular focus on the transformations of the imperial structures and their role in constituting the republican regime. He received his Ph.D. from Clark University in 2016. Since then, he has held a number of postdoctoral positions in the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University and the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno. Currently, he is a Research Fellow at Polonsky Academy in the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and teaches in the department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of “Antep 1915: Genocide and Perpetrators” (2018), co-author of “The Spirit of the Laws: The Plunder of Wealth in the Armenian Genocide” (2015) and editor of “Armenians and Kurds in Late Ottoman Empire” (2020). He is the winner of the 2021 Discovery Early Career Research Award given by the Australian Research Council. 

Zoom Registration Link

For information about upcoming Armenian Studies Program presentations, follow their Facebook page, @ArmenianStudiesFresnoState or at the Program website.

Communist Party of Armenia: Yerjanik Ghazaryan re-elected First Secretary

Elizabeth Jabejian
Oct 2 2021

On September 26, during the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia, Yerjanik Ghazaryan was unanimously re-elected the First Secretary of the party.

The newly elected First Secretary delivered a speech, in which he referred to the internal political situation in Armenia, the Armenian-Russian relations, the forthcoming local elections, and the further actions of the party.

In a congratulatory message the First Vice Сhairman of the CC of the  Union of Communist Parties-Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU) Kazbek Taysaev notes:

“We are confident that the trust placed in Yerjanik Ghazaryan will become a good basis for constructive work and will contribute to strengthening the authority of the party in Armenia, and personal qualities will serve the noble cause of protecting public interests, fighting the capitalist system and upholding social justice. We will support and promote his good endeavors in every possible way!

We are convinced that through joint inter-party efforts we will be able to ensure the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening of integration between Russia and Armenia for the benefit of our fraternal peoples! We sincerely wish you new achievements and victories in this position.”



Yerevan denies sovereign corridor through Armenia

Elizabeth Jabejian
Mehr News Agency, Iran
Oct 3 2021

TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) – Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan has said no sovereign corridor of another country can exist on the territory of Armenia.

Grigoryan made the remarks in an interview with the Public Television, saying, “Corridors or roads might be opened, but only under the sovereign control of the Republic of Armenia, Panarmenian Net reported.

The Armenian side, however, has repeatedly denied being involved in negotiations for the provision of a corridor to Azerbaijan, stressing that they have only agreed to unblock transport communications in the region.

“Roads existing in Armenia may be opened, which can be used by Azerbaijan, or Turkey to connect with Azerbaijan. Such an option is possible, but those roads will be under the sovereign control of the Republic of Armenia,” Grigoryan said, stressing the need for dialogue.

He said that no “corridors” are being discussed by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, who co-chair a working group that seeks to reopen transport communications in the South Caucasus region.

“We are more inclined to making use of existing infrastructure, particularly the Yerevan-Tbilisi-Baku-Russia railway, as well as the Yerevan-Nakhijevan-Julfa railway, where there is almost no need for investment. Only a small part of the 1-kilometer-long Armenia-Nakhichevan route remains to be constructed there,” the Secretary said.

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, can use Armenia’s roads, he added.

RHM/PR

Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan is ready to start negotiations on peace agreement with Armenia

Elizabeth Jabejian

Sept 25 2021


    JAMnews, Baku

Azerbaijan is ready for peace agreement negotiations with Armenia

On September 23, during the general debates of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly of heads of state and government, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a video presentation. He spoke about the second Karabakh war, said that there is no administrative unit called “Nagorno-Karabakh” and expressed the readiness of his country to negotiate a peace agreement.

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Aliyev recalled that on September 24, 2020, speaking at the UN General Assembly, he drew the participants’ attention to “the continuation of the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories by Armenia and the aggressive statements and actions of the Armenian government.” “Today I say with pride that Armenia was defeated on the battlefield and Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation”, the President of Azerbaijan added.

According to him, four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in 1993 demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan: “While some resolutions of the UN Security Council are implemented within a few days, when it comes to us, they remained outstanding for 27 years. And this is a clear example of double standards”. Aliyev added that Azerbaijan itself fulfilled the requirements of all these resolutions.

Ilham Aliyev noted that three days after his speech at the UN General Assembly in 2020 – September 27 – “Armenia launched a large-scale offensive against the military positions and civilians of Azerbaijan”.

“In response to this, Azerbaijan, taking advantage of the right to self-defense, enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, launched a counter-offensive operation against Armenia on its territory”, he stressed.

“Azerbaijan has resolved the 30-year-old conflict by military-political means, restored its territorial integrity and historical justice. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a thing of the past.

There is no longer an administrative-territorial unit in Azerbaijan called Nagorno-Karabakh. By presidential decree of July 7, 2021, we created the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic zones.

Taking this opportunity, I urge the UN member states and the UN Secretariat, when referring to our territories, not to allow the use of manipulative names that do not exist from a legal point of view, politically biased”, Aliyev said.

Noting that the conflict is already in the past, the President of Azerbaijan spoke about the large-scale construction work carried out in the liberated territories.

“However, the main difficulty is connected with the presence of numerous mines placed by Armenia in the liberated territories. After the signing of the act of surrender by Armenia on November 10, 2020, 30 Azerbaijani citizens have been killed, including two journalists, and 130 people have been injured.

Azerbaijan is one of the countries in the world, the territories of which have undergone the greatest mining. This hinders the recovery process in the liberated territories and the return of internally displaced persons to their homes.

Armenia refuses to transfer accurate maps of minefields to Azerbaijan. The accuracy of the minefield maps for the three regions that Armenia was forced to transfer is 25%. The international community must force Armenia to give us accurate maps of minefields in the liberated territories”, Aliyev said.

“Azerbaijan has already announced its readiness to start negotiations on a peace agreement with Armenia on the basis of the principle of delimitation and demarcation of borders, mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Such an agreement could turn our region into a region of peace and cooperation. However, we still do not see a positive reaction from Armenia to our proposal”, the President of Azerbaijan noted.

According to him, transport projects can become one of the spheres serving peace and cooperation: “In this context, the Zangezur corridor, which will connect the main part of Azerbaijan with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and Turkey, will create new opportunities for our region.

… We hope that the long-awaited peace, security, and stability will finally be established in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan will continue its consistent efforts contributing to regional peace and development, serving to strengthen the region”.

Sports: Columbus Crew’s Lucas Zelarayan declares for Armenian national team

Elizabeth Jabejian
Sept 28 2021
By Dylan Butler @Dylan_Butler

Lucas Zelarayan always has a trick up his sleeve, especially when stepping up to take a free kick.

But the Columbus Crew midfielder perhaps offered his biggest surprise yet when announcing on Tuesday that he’s joining the Armenian national team.

The 29-year-old playmaker, who has Armenian roots, was born in Argentina and never represented either country at any level.

Now, after negotiations with the president of Armenia’s football federation and their national team coach, Zelarayan will feature for the European country in October’s World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Romania.

“I have made a very important decision for me – to play for Armenian national team. It wasn’t a decision made in one day, it was a well-thought step. I have spoken to the FFA president Armen Melikbekyan and the national team head coach Joaquin Caparros during the last year. They presented the program of the federation to me,” Zelarayán told the FFA official website.

“I knew about my Armenian roots, but I haven’t had close relations with the Armenian community in Argentina. That’s why I needed time to make this important decision. After discussing everything with my family in September I made a decision to join the Armenian national team. Now I am excited about it. I am aware of the big goals this team wants to achieve and I am ready to do my best to make this happen. I am happy to join the Armenian national team during this important period and I hope to have new achievement with the national team,” he added.

Armenia are second in UEFA Group J with 11 points from six matches, four points behind group-leading Germany. The top squad directly qualifies for the World Cup, while the second-place side advances to the playoff stage.

Zelarayan has been among MLS’ most electrifying players since signing with Columbus as a Designated Player out of Liga MX’s Tigres UANL. Aside from leading the Crew to the 2020 MLS Cup title, he also took home MLS Newcomer of the Year honors.

Through 41 games with Columbus, Zelaryan has 13 goals and eight assists.

Azerbaijanis launch construction in Vorotan section of Armenia’s Goris-Kapan motorway

Elizabeth Jabejian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 29 2021
Azerbaijanis launch construction in Vorotan section of Armenia’s Goris-Kapan motorway
17:09, 29.09.2021

Officers of the National Security Service of Armenia are stopping drivers passing through the Vorotan section of the Goris-Kapan motorway and forming a column, after which drivers proceed with the accompaniment of Russian peacekeepers. This is what Deputy Mayor of Goris Karen Kocharyan said during a conversation with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Officers of the National Security Service are stopping Armenian drivers, who proceed with the accompaniment of Russian peacekeepers two hours after the column is formed. The Azerbaijanis feel free, as if they are at home, while we gather for hours. At this moment, I feel that people are sounding the alarm since they don’t know what will happen and how long this will continue. The Azerbaijanis might stop us Armenians and charge money for passing the road,” he stated, adding that the Azerbaijanis have launched construction in the Vorotan section of the motorway and that more and more Iranian truck drivers are accumulating.

After setting up a police checkpoint in Vorotan, the Azerbaijanis have been stopping Iranian truck drivers and letting them proceed after checking them and charging a fee. Two weeks ago, the Azerbaijanis stopped the driver of a microbus transporting the “Mountainous Artsakh” children’s group and wiped, with a dagger, the label portraying the flag of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) posted on the bus.

Artsakh ombudsman publishes updated version of report on civilian killings by Azerbaijani forces

Elizabeth Jabejian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 28 2021

Human Rights Ombudsman of the Artsakh Republic Gegham Stepanyan on Monday published an updated version of the report on the cases of the killing of civilians in Artsakh by the armed forces of Azerbaijan.

The report summarizes the data collected as a result of fact-finding work of the Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office from September 27, 2020 to on the civilian killings by Azerbaijani forces either by targeted strikes or after their invasion of the civilian settlements of Artsakh. Only the cases proved on indisputable grounds are presented. The report provides a brief description on the circumstances of the killing of each civilian, the Ombudsman’s Office said.

According to the data collected till September 27 of this year, the identities of 80 civilians killed by the Azerbaijani military were revealed. 42 civilians were killed from long-range strikes by the Azerbaijani armed forces, including rocket-propelled grenades, shelling, bombardment, and sabotage by subversive groups. 38 civilians were killed in captivity or at least under the control of Azerbaijan from physical violence, stabbing, beheading, close-range shooting and other direct means. Out of 80 civilian victims, 68 are men and 12 are women. 52 civilians were killed at the place of residence, 15 at the public place, 11 at the place of work, 1 person in the Azerbaijani prison. The majority of civilian victims are people over 63 years old.

The ombudsman also recorded the cases of 163 civilian injuries, most of which resulted from strikes that resulted in the deaths of others. The fate of two dozen civilians from the territories occupied by Azerbaijan remains unknown.

The report was prepared in a closed and public version. The closed report adds many photos of the victims before and after their deaths. The public report was prepared without photos, taking into account the cruel and sensitive images in them.

The closed version of the report has been sent to the relevant international organizations, the public version is available here.

Government officials, politicians visit Yerablur military cemetery to pay homage to fallen troops

Elizabeth Jabejian

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 10:32,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenian government officials and politicians are visiting the Yerablur military cemetery to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the 2020 Artsakh war unleashed by Azerbaijan one year ago on this day.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan and other government officials have laid flowers at Yerablur honoring the memory of the fallen troops.

Bright Armenia party leader Edmon Marukyan, together with his party members, and many other politicians also visited the military cemetery Monday morning.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan