Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

Aram Safaryan: If the government does not present a concrete program of actions, then after the December elections, Armenia will face new extraordinary elections

Elizabeth Jabejian
Arminfo, Armenia
Nov 26 2018
Aram Safaryan: If the government does not present a concrete program of actions, then after the December elections, Armenia will face new extraordinary elections

 Yerevan November 26

Tatevik Shahunyan. The government of Armenia should realize that the revolution is over and it is necessary to start concrete actions, develop concrete programs, if the authorities do not realize this, then some time after the December elections, Armenia will have new early elections.

This opinion was expressed today at a press conference by the head of the research and analytical public organization “Integration and Development”, coordinator of the Eurasian expert club Aram Safaryan. He noted that the first place in the parliament can be considered assigned to the ruling “My step” bloc, the second place will be the party “Prosperous Armenia“, and 2-3 forces will fight for the third place. “The whole question is whether the authorities after the elections will be able to solve the current social and economic problems of the country”, the expert said.

At the same time, he focused on the fact that after the elections, with the victory of the ruling bloc, new and young politicians will come to the arena, and in the international arena; in particular, Russia will have the issue of cooperation with them. “If the Russian establishment was well acquainted with the political elite of the Republican Party and the Prosperous Armenia Party, then in the case of the My Step bloc, this issue is being actualized”, Safaryan said. He also stressed the importance of representing his position regarding the Armenian-Russian cooperation and politics in the Eurasian region during the pre-election race from the forces participating in the race, since most of the Armenian society is pro-Russian and wants to know the answers to these questions. According to him, it is also important against the backdrop of the recent intensification of forces with an anti-Russian attitude.

In turn, the director of the “Noravank” Scientific and Educational Foundation Gagik Harutyunyan stated that the current processes should be approached pragmatically: “We constantly say democratic elections, democratic state, but we have to see what these concepts give us in practical terms. Before So far, not a single election in Armenia has brought dividends to the republic. Against this background, for example, in the undemocratic Soviet Armenia, where the non-democratic elections were held, the level of the economy, technological and industrial growth far exceeded now current indicators “. He also stressed the need to establish multi-profile working groups between Armenia and Russia, which will be engaged in the development and implementation of specific programs. “To this end, it would be advisable to create an online university that will be a platform for branding the leading experts,” concluded Harutyunyan.


Azerbaijani press: Charge d’affaires: Spain supports peaceful solution of Karabakh conflict based on int’l law

Elizabeth Jabejian
27 November 2018 11:17 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 27

By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:

Spain supports peaceful solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the international law, Charge d’affaires ad interim of Spanish embassy in Baku Ignacio Sanchez Taboada told Trend.

“Spain supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and its co-chairs for the solution of the conflict,” he said.

The diplomat noted that Madrid Principles represent the guidelines for solving the conflict and also the stance of Spain regarding to it: pacific solution of the conflict (non-use of force), respect of territorial integrity and international law and right to return for displaced persons.

He went on to add that Spain and Azerbaijan have important ties not only in the bilateral arena but also within the framework of multilateral relations. Spain is a party to the European Union and is very involved in the European Eastern Partnership in which Azerbaijan also participates.

“The Council of Europe and OSCE are of great relevance for Spain as they are also for Azerbaijan, and a great part of our international relations takes place in the framework of these European institutions,” said Taboada.

The diplomat pointed out that Spain and Azerbaijan share the values and principles of the United Nations and have traditionally cooperated within its institutional framework (General Assembly, Security Council, Human Rights Council, etc.).

“We have supported each other very recently to be present in different bodies of many international organizations, like the World Tourism Organizations or the International Telecommunications Union. Azerbaijan and Spain enjoy very healthy political relations. We do not have any contending topic in our bilateral agenda. Not bilateral disputes. We have provided each other mutual support in different international fora. We have a reasonable framework of international agreements which regulates our relations and cooperation, in a great variety of topics: education, sports, science, double taxation, etc.,” he added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn


Modernization of Armenian nuclear power plant to result in 10 percent rise in electricity production

Elizabeth Jabejian
ARKA, Armenia
Nov 28 2018

YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA. A set of modernization measures to be carried out in 2018 and 2019 will increase the capacity of the Armenian nuclear power plant by 10%, raising the average annual output to about 2.9 billion kWh of electricity, the acting Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Garegin Baghramyan said on November 27.

Baghramyan said also that the increased capacity could prompt a revision of the price of electricity for the households, if no ‘external factor affects the pricing.’ According to Baghramyan, the capacity of the facility will grow after the replacement of the second turbine generator in 2019. 

He said the replacement will allow producing 400 or even 500 million kWh more electricity. ‘Accordingly, the resulting” surplus “will significantly affect the cost of all electricity, given that the production of every additional 100 million kWh saves 2 -2.5 billion drams worth electricity,” he said.

He also said that the Ministry of Finance has asked the Russian side to extend the repayment period for a $270 million loan granted to Armenia earlier for extension of the facility’s service life up to 2026. The acting minister noted that the extension of the loan repayment period will not affect the electricity tariff for the population.

The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. Armenian authorities said they would build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant was said to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility.  The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia’s electricity. 

In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life up to 2026 because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country was to provide $270 million to Armenia as a loan and $30 million as a grant. -0- 

Citizen’s Decision party: Armenia elections again taking place without ideological fight

Elizabeth Jabejian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 29 2018
Citizen’s Decision party: Armenia elections again taking place without ideological fight Citizen’s Decision party: Armenia elections again taking place without ideological fight

16:08, 29.11.2018
                  

YEREVAN. – Elections in Armenia are again taking place without an ideological “fight.”

Artur Avagyan, an MP candidate nominated by the “Citizen’s Decision” Social Democratic Party, on Thursday told the above-said to Armenian News-NEWS.am, during his snap parliamentary election campaign march in capital city Yerevan.

In his words, the Citizen’s Decision party has tasked itself with introducing the element of an ideological and a program-based “fight” to the election campaign.

“All the political forces [in Armenia] practically seek to carry out their campaign by way of discrediting and ‘blackening’ the opponents,” Avagyan noted. “[But] our party differs by [the fact] that it refuses [to use] such a method of [political] ‘fight,’ and it calls on the other [political] forces to a more constructive debate.”

Presenting the platform of the Citizen’s Decision party, Artur Avagyan explained that the main items on this program were the social issues and the role of the state in resolving them.

He added that the state shall have a more active part in resolving the social issues.

Campaign season for the upcoming snap National Assembly (NA) election has gotten underway Monday in Armenia.

The campaign season will conclude on December 7, whereas December 8 is election silence day, and December 9—election day

Eleven political forces—two alliances and nine parties—are running for parliament.

As a result of this election, the NA seats will be distributed proportionally among the political forces that have passed the respective minimum thresholds: 5% for parties, and 7% for alliances.

Aznavour’s son recalls how his father mobilized whole world after 1988 Spitak quake

Elizabeth Jabejian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 29 2018

Moscow’s Art Academic Theater after Maxim Gorky hosted on Wednesday a commemorative event dedicated to the 1988 devastating Armenian earthquake, also known as the Spitak earthquake.

Anna Hakobyan, the spouse of Armenia’s Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, National Hero of Armenia Nikolai Ryzhkov, Primate of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan and others attended the event organized by the Armenian Embassy in Russia in cooperation with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Aznavour Foundation.

Addressing the meeting, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan said the event commemorates the 30th anniversary of the catastrophic Spitak earthquake that claimed some 25,000 lives, the embassy said on Facebook.

“Armenia shall never forget the support of those people and nations that were not indifferent to Armenians in their darkest moments. Starting from the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire to the Spitak earthquake, our history is full of amazing examples of humanity,” the envoy said, expressing gratitude to the whole world.

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative co-founder, Philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan and Charles Aznavour’s son Nicolas, who co-founded the Aznavour Foundation, also delivered remarks at the event.

“This event is entitled to become a global symbol of inspiration and support for social transformation. If we want to change our society, if we are resolute to create the best conditions for the future generations, we should show the world the real value of empathy and generosity that motivate the modern heroes. This is the mission of Aurora,” Vardanyan said.

Nicolas, for his part, shared the story of the legendary singer’s great assistance to Armenia after the Spitak earthquake. He recalled how his father mobilized the world after the tragedy.

“My father was among the first to react to the 1988 tragedy and take action immediately. That very night, he wrote the song Pour toi Armenie (For You Armenia) together with Georges Garvarentz, mobilizing artists from France, United States, Italy and later from the entire international community,” he said. 

“The existence of individuals able to consolidate people around them and empathize with them is a crucial factor to promote human development,” he added.

Sasna Tsrer party: Armenia, Karabakh political systems should not be separate

Elizabeth Jabejian
News.am, Armenia
Nov 30 2018
Sasna Tsrer party: Armenia, Karabakh political systems should not be separate Sasna Tsrer party: Armenia, Karabakh political systems should not be separate

16:34, 30.11.2018
               

YEREVAN. – The provincial visits within the framework of the election campaign show there are major foundations that the Sasna Tsrer party will to go to parliament. 

Political scientist Stepan Grigoryan, who is second on this political force’s electoral list for the upcoming snap National Assembly (NA) election in Armenia, stated the aforementioned at a press conference on Friday.

Reflecting on the Sasna Tsrer party platform’s provision on joining Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Armenia, Grigoryan said this process can be carried out in phases.

“Azerbaijan’s position [with respect to resolving the Karabakh conflict] is getting more rigid,” he added. “Armenians live in Artsakh, not ‘Artsakhtsis.’”

As per the MP candidate, the political systems of Armenia and Karabakh should not be separate from each other.

“The political parties functioning in Artsakh need to find for themselves partner parties in Armenia, and to collaborate with Armenia’s political forces,” Stepan Grigoryan concluded.

Sasna Tsrer party official Varuzhan Avetisyan, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan, and party official Garegin Chugaszyan are the top three on the respective 174-name electoral list of this recently formed political force.

Campaign season for the upcoming snap NA election has gotten underway Monday in Armenia.

The campaign season will conclude on December 7, whereas December 8 is election silence day, and December 9—election day

Eleven political forces—two alliances and nine parties—are running for parliament.

As a result of this election, the NA seats will be distributed proportionally among the political forces that have passed the respective minimum thresholds: 5% for parties, and 7% for alliances.

Crocodile of zoo dies this time

Elizabeth Jabejian
  • 16:35 | November 26,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

The crocodile of the zoo died, Ruben Abrahamyan, spokeswoman for the park, told “A1 +.”

Ruben Abrahamyan denied the information that the animal caregiver was dismissed.

To remind, this is not the only case of animal death in the zoo. On November 13, the zebra of the park died, too. According to laboratory findings, a large amount of arsenic content was found in the animal’s blood and urine.

Snow on roads of Artik region

Elizabeth Jabejian
  • 18:36 | November 23,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies informs that on November 23, at 17:00, there is snow on the roads of Artik region.

The Vardenyants Pass is foggy, with a visibility of 50-60 meters. Berd-Chambarak highway is also foggy, as well as Jermuk, Saravan and Meghri mountain passes. The visibility is 100-150 meters.

All the interstate and republican roads are open.

Citizens can receive complete and operative information on the interstate and republican roads both from the Ministry’s official website (www.mtcit.am, as well as
ard.am), and from the telephone numbers of the Ministry of Communications(010 – 56-25-33).

Junior Eurovision 2018: Armenia’s L.E.V.O.N rocks the stage in Minsk

Elizabeth Jabejian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 20 2018

Junior Eurovision 2018: Armenia’s L.E.V.O.N rocks the stage in Minsk



Armenia’s representative L.E.V.O.N was first to take to the stage, as the first day of rehearsals for Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 kicked off in Minsk. 

L.E.V.O.N rocked the stage in his green suit, singing his song L.E.V.O.N. The lyrics explain that once you hear the song, everybody wants to dance along.

With the upbeat song and L.E.V.O.N’s dance moves, this will definitely be the case, according to the contest’s official website.

The contest will take place this Sunday, November 25th at Minsk Arena.

L.E.V.O.N is the favorite to win the contest, accoring to a poll held on Wiwibloggs website. 

Video at link: