Author: Emil Lazarian

During my visit to Yerevan, Armenia, I was invited to visit the Converse Bank Business Lounge. Here’s my review. 

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Zvartnots International Airport serving Yerevan, Armenia features two terminals. Our flight departed from the newer, modern terminal. Arrival from the city center is available easily by GG Taxi or Yandex Taxi (see my review of Yandex Go here.) For those traveling by bus, hourly departures run the 20-30 minute drive to and from Republic Square from midnight until 6 am, the same bus (201) runs on the half-hour from 6 am to midnight – the cost of this airport transfer is 300 AMD (about $0.66 at the time of writing.)

Entrance to the lounge is found following passport control inside the duty-free shop via stairs or an elevator.

Lounge access is limited to business class customers, select Converse Bank customers and those who choose to purchase access through LoungeBuddy. For those who utilize access through Lounge Buddy, the cost is $36/person and the duration is three hours.

For those who hold Priority Pass or Priority Pass Select (available through several credit cards – some of which are available here) access is permitted. For most Select members, this would include a guest, and possibly a child as well. The Converse Business Lounge offers its own wi fi access, far superior to that available from the airport generally.

For those considering a shower, I’d recommend waiting until you arrive at your destination. It appears cleaner in my photos than in person.

Spanning nearly the length of the terminal, the lounge is long and narrow. Space for small groups of travelers with chairs and tables flank either side of the entrance. To the left of the checkin counter, an enclosed box allows for those who wish to work quietly.  Smoking is permitted in some parts of the lounge.

Chairs at a communal table line the glass walls overlooking the terminals with power ports. Particularly helpful at the Yerevan Airport Business Lounge are a series of chaise lounges that allow for rest. This is important as many of the flights from Europe into Yerevan arrive in the very early morning hours (3-6 am) and depart after a quick turn. These seats allow for much needed rest from travelers who didn’t get a full night before their departure.

Small sandwiches and pastries were available on both sides of the lounge. Charcuteries and fresh fruit was also available in limited supply as were packaged food items. A limited but sufficient bar for both hard and soft drinks was available too along with a coffee machine.

TEHRAN – Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Reza Fatemi-Amin is going to visit Armenia on top of a high-ranking delegation on March 3 to follow up on the implementation of economic agreements previously reached between the two sides.

As reported by the portal of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), Fatemi-Amin will be accompanied by TPO Head Alireza Peyman-Pak and a handful of officials from his ministry during this visit.

According to TPO Deputy Head Mohammadreza Karimzadeh, in this trip, the Iranian officials will hold talks with their Armenian counterparts about various economic subjects, including cooperation in free zones, commodity trade, transportation, customs, and other issues related to trade between the two countries.

Mentioning the visit of Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan to Iran back in January 2021, Karmizadeh said: “During that visit, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the expansion of trade ties and now the Iranian industry minister is visiting Armenia to follow up on the implementation of the mentioned MOU.”

The mentioned MOU was signed by Kerobyan and former Iranian Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Alireza Razm Hosseini.

TPO has made the necessary coordination for a trade delegation to accompany the minister during March 3-4 to pursue expansion of cooperation in various fields, the official added.

During the minister’s visit, Fatemi-Amin and the accompanying delegation are scheduled to have meetings with high-ranking Armenian officials, relevant ministers, and officials from the country’s chambers of commerce.

Fatemi-Amin will also pay a visit to the Iranian trade center in Armenia, whose building is currently being constructed in the capital, to get informed about the progress of the project.

EF/MA

The three Caucasus countries sit to the south of the Russian Federation – which recognises the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia

Russian forces continue their advance into neighbouring Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of the Eastern European state.

Tanks, troops and helicopter gunships are advancing on key cities including the capital city of Kyiv, with explosions reported across the country.

The invasion comes after Russia recognised the independence of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which declared independence from Ukraine in 2014 and have waged a civil war ever since.

Read More: Heathrow Airport: What to do if you had a flight booked with Russian airline Aeroflot

It is not the first time Russia has invaded a neighbour while recognising breakaway states however.

In 2008 Russia fought a short war with neighbouring Georgia and recognised the independence of the Caucasian country’s two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

We looked at the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Georgia and the neighbouring countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, is an increasingly popular city break destination for travellers from the UK – boasting many attractions, great food and excellent value for money.

The latest UK Foreign Office travel advice for Georgia states: ” For security reasons, the FCDO advises against all travel to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and against all but essential travel to areas immediately adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“The British government does not recognise the unilateral declarations of independence made by the de facto authorities in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Consular support is not available in parts of Georgia where the FCDO advise against all travel.”

Armenia fought a brief but bloody war with neighbouring Azerbaijan in 2020 as part of an ongoing dispute over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

The latest UK Foreign Office travel advice for the country states: ” The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all travel: within 5km of the full eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan [and] along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan.

“Armenia was engaged in widespread military activity along the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh during 2020. Protests sometimes take place in central Yerevan and other major cities. These are usually organised by opposition political parties or activist groups highlighting topical social and political issues.

“Although protests tend to be peaceful and usually pass off without incident, you should avoid large crowds and demonstrations, follow the advice and instructions of the local authorities, monitor the media and remain vigilant.

“The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed. There have been many instances of military clashes across the border during the last 12 months, resulting in a number of deaths and casualties. We advise against all travel within 5km of the border.”

The oil-rich Azerbaijan sits on the Caspian Sea.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to: Nagorno-Karabakh, The rayons of Zengilan, Jabrayil, Qubadli, Lachin and Kelbajar. Western areas of Khojavand, Fuzuli and Aghdam rayons [and] within 5km of the border with Armenia

“A ceasefire agreement was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020 to end the military action in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Some territory under Azerbaijani control post-conflict is currently closed to the general public and may contain high amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines.