Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Armenia police not allowing newly elected council members to enter Vardenis town hall building

Emil Lazarian
 NEWS.am 
Armenia – Jan 4 2022
11:40, 04.01.2022

The police of Armenia are not allowing the newly elected members of the Vardenis Council of Elders and the mayor-elect to enter the town hall building.

Outside the aforesaid building, the law enforcement first demanded to see the mandates of the elected council members and the mayor-elect, then informed that a lawsuit had been filed with the administrative court, the lawsuit had been accepted, and therefore the council members could not enter the town hall building.

Mayor-elect Aharon Khachatryan, in turn, said that a motion had been submitted to make an interim decision, but that motion was not granted at the moment, and therefore they can enter the town hall building.

Khachatryan’s lawyer, for his part, said that if the court has not chosen any means of securing the lawsuit, as well as there is no legal decision made by the court that the decision of the council meeting is invalid, then the council can enter the town hall building today and carry out work.

A police representative, however, said they will not allow the new town council members to enter the building, and therefore the council members could hold the mayor-elect’s inauguration elsewhere.

To note, the police did not submit any documents on the basis of which they banned the newly elected members of the Vardenis Council of Elders from entering the town hall building.

As reported earlier, in the December 5 local elections in Vardenis, the ruling Civil Contract Party (CCP) had won 13 seats, the opposition Aharon Khachatryan bloc—10 seats, and the opposition United Vardenis—4 seats in the town council. Then, the opposition forces had signed a memorandum to form a coalition, and therefore the number of their town council seats was enough to elect their mayor candidate.

After that, former mayor of Vardenis Aram Harutyunyan, who topped the electoral list of United Vardenis, was charged in a criminal case against him and was arrested.

The first session of the new Vardenis Council of Elders had taken place on December 30. But before the session started, the police had attempted to apprehend another opposition member of the council, Aharon Khachatryan, who is the opposition’s candidate for mayor. Three hours later, the opposition finally had managed to convene a session and elect Khachatryan mayor. The CCP members of this council, however, had not attended this session.


Armenian soldier arrested for killing fellow serviceman

Emil Lazarian
panorama.am
Armenia – Jan 4 2022

An Armenian soldier has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of a fellow serviceman, the Investigative Committee reported on Tuesday.

The victim, identified as Movses Tadevosyan (b. 2003), was found with gunshot wounds to the head in a military post on December 31. The serviceman died on his way to the military hospital.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Tadevosyan was killed by a fellow soldier. The latter has been charged under Article 104 (Part 1) of the Criminal Code of Armenia. The preliminary investigation continues, the law enforcement agency said.

Armenian health authorities still working on coronavirus health pass

Emil Lazarian

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 14:34, 3 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenian health authorities are still working on a coronavirus health pass which would require people to produce either a recent negative PCR test result or a COVID-19 vaccination certificate upon entering restaurants or other leisure venues.

The Ministry of Healthcare initially planned to mandate the health pass starting January 1, but the timeframes were delayed.

The Ministry of Healthcare told ARMENPRESS that they have received the Ministry of Justice’s opinion on the matter and are now finalizing the document. The order will be issued after passing confirmation.

Plastic bag ban enters force in Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 09:42, 3 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. The ban on plastic bags (up to 50 microns) entered force January 1 in Armenia, a move initiated by the government to reduce harming the environment.

The Ministry of Environment is considering substituting the plastic bags in the market with biodegradable bags.

Eco bag_withme is also offering alternatives with its fabric bags.

Businesses who will continue using the plastic bags will face fines.

Closer Iran-Armenia Ties to Ensure Security: Raisi

Emil Lazarian
Jan 3 2022

Tasnim
4th January 2022, 00:37 GMT+11

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Promotion of cooperation and economic relations between Iran and Armenia would serve the interests of all parties and contribute to regional security, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said.

– Politics news –

In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Monday, Raisi stressed the need for the development of economic and trade ties between the two neighbors.

“Enhancement of cooperation and economic exchanges between Tehran and Yerevan would fulfill the interests of all parties and definitely contribute to security,” the Iranian president said.

He also pointed to the delicate situation in the Caucasus region, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policy is to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries.”

Reaffirming Iran’s support for Armenia’s sovereignty over its territories and roads, the Iranian president welcomed the progress in the negotiations between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, adding, “We hope that the other problems between the two countries would be also settled peacefully within the framework of the international principles and laws, and that we’d witness peace, stability and security in the region.”

For his part, Pashinyan briefed the Iranian president on the process of negotiations about the situation in the Caucasus.

He also highlighted Armenia’s determination to promote economic interaction with Iran and step up the activities of the Economic Cooperation Joint Commission.

The premier expressed confidence that closer cooperation and coordination between Armenia and Iran would help them take major steps for stabilizing regional peace and security.

Pres. Raeisi: Supporting countries’ integrity, sovereignty Iran’s fundamental policy

Emil Lazarian
Iran – Jan 3 2022
Monday, 2:54 PM

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the country’s foreign policy is based on the basic principle of supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

Raeisi made the remarks in a Monday phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during which the two sides discussed development of economic exchanges and cooperation between Tehran and Yerevan.

“The principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries,” Raeisi said. “In doing so, Tehran supports the sovereignty of Armenia over all its territories and means of transportation passing through the country.”

Expressing felicitations on the birthday anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and the beginning of the Christian New Year, the Iranian president highlighted the necessity of constant interaction and dialogue between the two countries at different levels and among neighbors.

“The sensitivity of the situation in the Caucasus region requires the countries of the region to discuss regional and bilateral issues on a regular basis,” Raeisi added.

Stressing that Tehran welcomes progress in the process of talks between the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Iranian president said, “We hope that other issues between the two countries will be resolved peacefully within the framework of international principles and law, and that we will see more peace, stability and security in the region.”


Pashinyan, for his part, reaffirmed his country’s resolve to expand multilateral relations with Iran and said, “We are determined to increase economic relations and interactions with Iran in all fields and to make the Iran-Armenia joint economic cooperation commission more active than before.”

The Armenian premier described regional cooperation between the two countries as important and said, “We are confident that by boosting the level of cooperation and bilateral coordination, we can take important steps towards establishment of peace and security in the region.”

Iran has on several occasions voiced concern over tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, urging the two neighbors to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue to resolve differences.

Tensions between Yerevan and Baku remain high a year after the arch-foes fought a war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The six-week conflict, which claimed more than 6,500 lives on both sides, ended in November 2020 with a Russian-brokered deal that left Azerbaijan largely in control of the territory.

Since the truce, the two sides have accused each other of breaching the peace deal.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has been populated by ethnic Armenians. 


https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/01/03/673983/Iran-President-Ebrahim-Raeisi-Armenian-Prime-Minister-Nikol-Pashinyan-territorial-integrity-sovereignty-

Russian Foreign Ministry details preparation of "single package" to restore Azerbaijan-Armenia communications

Emil Lazarian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Jan 3 2021
 3 Jan in 14:40

Unblocking all economic and transport ties in the South Caucasus is one of the most important directions of a process launched to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS

“In essence, we are talking about an opportunity for both countries to derive concrete practical benefits from peaceful coexistence. Russia is a direct participant in this process. At the summit in Moscow on January 11, 2021, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia  agreed to establish a trilateral working group co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of the three countries to deal with this process. Within the framework of this mechanism, important preparatory work has been done to restore both railway and automobile roads in the region,” he stressed.

“Currently, a single “package” is being finalized. This approach will ensure the sustainability of decisions,” Rudenko explained.

The Russian Deputy Foreign minister also drew attention to the fact that the necessary impetus for the current joint work was given by the relevant agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Sochi on November 26. “We are working to have all the modalities worked out as soon as possible and launch specific projects,” Rudenko said.

Armenia ex-PM: Average annual growth is only 2.4% under premier Pashinyan

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 3 2022
19:03, 03.01.2022

Last year was unsuccessful. The economic decline in 2020 was 7.8%, this year the growth will be 5-5.5% at best—if there will be, of course—, and the growth is mainly due to the mining and gaming. And what these authorities were complaining about, they now have become the drivers of economic growth in Armenia. Former PM, chairman of the opposition Freedom Party, and economist Hrant Bagratyan told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am—referring to the 2021 economic indicators of the country.

“As a result of the four years of [incumbent PM Nikol] Pashinyan’s rule, the gross economic growth will make 9-9.5%. We have a 7.2% growth, a 5.8 [%], then a 7.8% decline, and a 5% growth. If we divide this by four years, we will get only 2.35-2.4% growth annually. This is the worst indicator during the last seven four years; there is nothing to talk about here.

Not to mention that the mining industry, which has become 20% in industry, whereas 5% in the GDP balance, should be excluded from that growth. The mines [of Armenia] are being looted, mined without oversight, the prices of copper are relatively high, and the miners are constantly extracting and taking the ore, paying only pennies to the state budget, which I simply call looting.

And not counting that the sphere of gaming should be removed from that growth, the growth of which in the GDP made 30%, when the annual GDP grows on average 2.4%, the sphere of gaming—30%. The share of gaming in the GDP [of Armenia] is higher than in the healthcare, education sectors—which is unacceptable. People close to the prime minister control the sphere of gaming, and, sadly, this field is flourishing in Armenia (…).

When 4-5 years ago the sphere of gaming was nothing in the GDP, now it has surpassed a number of important branches, and this structural change is a consequence of poor economic policy. Even during [preceding] Serzh Sargsyan’s rule, when it was the worst, too, his average annual growth was 2.7[%], whereas in the last four years—2.4[%].

The construction sector has grown by about 6% this year, and those who say that construction is one of the drivers of economic growth [in Armenia] are lying. Compared to that, the mining industry is growing by 20%, the gaming—by 30%,” said the former premier.

Armenia’s CSTO chairmanship: What priorities, challenges, and prospects lie ahead for 2022

Emil Lazarian
TASS, Russia
Jan 1 2022
This year, the organization will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Collective Security and the 20th anniversary of its current formation

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. Armenia will take the chairmanship reins of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet security bloc, in 2022.

Yerevan was formally handed CSTO chairmanship from Tajikistan at the organization’s session in September 2021, and will pass the baton to Belarus in late 2022.

The member states – Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan – chair the organization in turn, according to alphabetical order.

The secretary-general is appointed for three years (regardless of the country’s chairmanship), while the Permanent Council is led by a representative of the state that holds the chairmanship in rotation. Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO Viktor Biyagov assumed this post, while the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan became the Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

This year, the CSTO will celebrate two anniversaries – the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Collective Security and the 20th anniversary of the current organization’s formation. CSTO Secretary-General Stanislav Zas earlier said the key challenges were the escalating presence of NATO’s forces approaching the CSTO’s western borders as well as the complicated and unpredictable situation in Afghanistan. According to him, Afghanistan could see a wider armed standoff, stepped-up activity by terrorist organizations, a surge in drug trafficking and mounting uncontrolled migration.

Turkish-Armenian linguist Nişanyan arrested in Greece, facing deportation

Emil Lazarian
Jan 1 2022

  • Jan 01 2022 10:38 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Jan 01 2022 10:54 Gmt+3

Greek police have arrested Turkish-Armenian author and linguist Sevan Nişanyan, who sought asylum in Greece four years ago, his wife announced on Twitter, saying the intellectual was facing deportation.

Nişanyan, whose residence permit was not renewed by Greece and subsequently declared “persona non grata” by Athens last month, was taken into Greek police custody on Thursday and will face a judge on Monday, Ira Tzourou said on Saturday.

Sixty-six-year-old Nisanyan has been living in Greece for the past four years after fleeing a Turkish prison, where he was serving a prison sentence on charges of violating  zoning laws, among other charges.

A Turkish court in 2014 sentenced Nisanyan to 17 years in prison on nine separate counts, including 13 months for insulting the Prophet Mohammed and more than eight years for violating zoning laws. Three years later, the author and linguist announced on Twitter that he had escaped to neighbouring Greece.

A Greek court on Monday will decide where Nişanyan will be deported, his wife said.

Nişanyan is recognised for his etymological Turkish dictionary and travel guides. The linguist become a controversial figure in Turkey after publishing a book entitled “The Wrong Republic,” which questioned taboos about the Turkish Republic and its founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.