Author: Frangulian Shushan

US House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes explores options to reduce American reliance on Turkey’s Incirlik Airbase

Frangulian Shushan
ArmenPress, Armenia
Sept 30 2018
US House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes explores options to reduce American reliance on Turkey’s Incirlik Airbase


YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. American Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, discussed reducing U.S. reliance upon Turkey’s Incirlik airbase during a meeting in the U.S. Capitol with Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian, ANCA said in a press release.

“I had a wide-ranging and productive discussion with Aram on important issues ranging from the need for full recognition of the Armenian Genocide to whether some functions of our Incirlik military base in Turkey should be transferred elsewhere,” said Chairman Nunes, following the meeting.

“We welcome this opportunity to explore a broad array of regional priorities with our friend, Chairman Nunes, including near-term options to reduce America’s reliance on Turkey’s Incirlik airbase,” said ANCA’s Aram Hamparian. “As Armenians know all too well, Turkey has long leveraged this base to hold America hostage. Diversifying our forward positioning will lessen the leverage of Turkey’s increasingly hostile Erdogan government, broadening America’s range of action across a broad array of regional, security, and humanitarian priorities – among them, of course, full and formal U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” concluded Hamparian.

Congressman Nunes has a long record in support of issues of special concern to Armenian Americans in California’s Central Valley and across America, and has received an “A” rating from the ANCA over the past 4 terms in office. He has been an ardent advocate of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, having cosponsored related legislation in every term since his election to office in 2002. He has consistently called on both Democrat and Republican U.S. presidents to properly commemorate the crime in their April 24th annual remembrance statements and visited the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia in 2012.

On Artsakh safety and security he has been equally outspoken, consistently supporting the implementation of the Royce – Engel peace proposals. At the start of the 4-day Azerbaijani attack on Artsakh in April, 2016, Nunes cautioned, “The clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh risk escalating into a dangerous, wider war. The ceasefire must be scrupulously observed, while Azerbaijan needs to implement widely-supported peacekeeping measures along the line of contact, including a withdrawal of snipers and an expanded role for the OSCE.” In 2018, he was one of only two Republicans calling for expanded aid to Armenia and Artsakh for Fiscal Year 2019.

Congressman Nunes condemned the Erdogan-ordered attacks on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC in May, 2017, stating “Erdogan is busy turning his own country into an authoritarian state, but he needs to know that his thugs are not welcome here and that there will be consequences for this attack.”

In 2003, Rep. Nunes joined with the ANCA Central California to honor then State Senator Chuck Poochigian as ANC Man of the Year. “It’s really about honesty–integrity and a man who is a tireless worker on behalf of all the people,” said Congressman Nunes.

Nunes was first elected to public office as one of California’s youngest community college trustees in state history at the age of 23. In 2001, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as California State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development section. He left this post to successfully run for California’s 21st congressional district and now serves in the 22nd district as a result of redistricting in 2010.

Nunes was appointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 112th Congress and became its chairman in the 114th Congress.


Armenia: Still On a Revolution High

Frangulian Shushan
El Vaquero: Glendale Community College
Wednesday
Armenia: Still On a Revolution High
 
Marian Sahakyan, Editor-in-Chief
 
Going to Armenia on a two-month trip was not something that I even considered doing during the summer. It was sudden. It was sweet and exciting. After all, I was going home to a new Armenia. At least that’s what my friends had told me.
 
I remember the scowl of disappointment on my face on our driveaway from the only functioning commercial at airport in the small country, Zvartnots International. The road out of the airport was darker and a bit bumpier than what I was used to and what I expected. I remember making a comment to my dad that nothing had changed. Not since the revolution, anyway.
 
The city and the dark roads were just how I had left them years ago. They were melancholic. Melancholic in a way where you can feel your heart instantly breaking. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s the feeling of returning home to someone you love, but you know this person isn’t doing well. Like an old mother, waiting for her children to return home for a visit. She is worn out, she is mysterious, she is sad, but yet she is warm and welcoming. She is always there. You don’t know what the future holds for her, but yet you cherish the things that you see in her.
 
That’s what Armenia is to me. An unimaginable force that keeps one coming back for more. It’s beautiful, but not the most beautiful. It’s perfectly imperfect. It has problems and issues. It has a painful history. It’s been shot down more times than not. Through it all, it has stood tall, and persevered in the best of ways. You go back to her, you love and cherish her, but when the time comes, you leave her, because you have a more perfect life somewhere far away. Somehow, the perfect life, and perfect home, the perfect mother, doesn’t seem real. It’s not yours. You can’t always go back to it. You don’t even miss it, because it doesn’t break your heart, as the old mother does.
 
As I started to make my rounds in Yerevan and the outer parts of the country, I sensed a huge Soviet presence, more than ever before. You see abandoned factories with broken windows, or unfinished apartment and hotel buildings. You even stumble upon children’s parks with no sign of renovation or beautification in sight.
 
And when the beautiful nature started to take my breath away, and the old, unfinished buildings became nothing but a charming touch to all that was going on in the country, I saw the light. I saw something that I often dreamt of, but had lost hope in. This is how it went.
 
I used to walk and take the metro everywhere during my stay in Yerevan, the capital that I love so dearly. But it was during those Mediterranean heatwaves that I allowed myself to get around the city. Not by walking or taking the metro, but by taxi.
 
It was another sticky hot day that I found myself spaced out and away, deep in thought in the back of a taxi cab. I thought about the future and what it holds for this remarkably beautiful country. I thought about the things that I wanted to change, things that I knew weren’t looking too great at the time. I was worried.
 
I could tell that the driver was not pleased about the traffic and the horrible driving in the city center. He probably was so tempted to light a cigarette to help relieve the stress. He didn’t.
 
“I no longer honk at cars and people,” were his first words to me since I got in the cab, 20 minutes earlier. He then went on to explain why he said this. “Whether it’s a big act of kindness or something as small as honking while driving, I believe that everyone should be doing their part in furthering the change, and supporting it.”
 
After talking to me for a few more minutes, the conversation became one of my favorites to share. The man explained to me that no matter how long it takes the new Armenian administration to fix the broken system of corruption and poverty, he was sure that it was never going to be as bad as it was during the reign of Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia’s overthrown president.
 
“There has been a change in the Armenian situation. People have changed,” the man remarked. “And now, people who live here, can’t complain that there are no jobs, because there are. And those in the diaspora, don’t have the right to say that can’t come back home, because at home there are no opportunities.”
 
This conversation, seemed to have answered all of the unanswered questions that I had inside. Those that I wanted answered during this unplanned trip to Armenia. For a second, I felt like it was all in my hands and I could change the world, if I wanted to. I could even come back home, without ever having to leave again.
 
Then I started to think about what the revolution did in Armenia. At first sight, you think that four months is not a sufficient amount of time for us to judge the effectiveness of the new administration. It’s not until you take a closer look at the actions and operations of Nikol Pashinyan, the new leader of the country, and his cabinet.
 
From what it seems, the new wave of officials of the Armenian government, have been working endlessly to bring the much-wanted and anticipated change to the country.
 
The Ministry of Education has been hunting through the university systems and one-by-one eliminating school deans and principals, and even educators, who have previously required ‘monetary aid’ in exchange for higher grades. They even plan on decreasing primary education years from 12 years, down to 10, as it used to be many years ago.
 
The Ministry of Diaspora, has been organizing meetings with different community leaders around the world, where these populations will get to discuss issues that the diaspora faces, their plans of returning home, and even ways of investing in their homeland.
 
The justice system of the country is in its prime time right now, as we start to see almost all political prisoners in Armenia getting their justice. Leaders of previous administrations, along with corrupt oligarchs have also become a big target of the National Security Services of Armenia, as they investigate the amount of wealth stolen from the country’s economy, and other crimes committed by these individuals.
 
Aside from that, tourism has reached an all-time high this summer, as a huge chunk of diasporans visited their homeland this summer. All of this was due to the change of administration.
 
Though the changes were many, I believe that it is too soon to say anything else. I believe that the new government is walking in a straight line towards imposing true democracy in the country. The biggest change, though, was the change of attitude and outlook that I saw in the faces of ordinary people. Those who work at stores, or drive cabs, or are just sitting in a cafe, sipping on a good, old cup of Armenian coffee. (It’s not actually Armenian.) You see the change in their souls, in their smiles, and the way that they act around one another. It’s relieving to see this, because it tells me that my people know that their voices are heard, and that they can change anything they wanted to, but it all starts with the change of an attitude and the way one sees the world. Their world.

Deputy Diaspora Minister Explains Neruzh Program’s Force to Elevate Armenia

Frangulian Shushan
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Armenia’s Deputy Diaspora Minister Aramayis Grigoryan makes a presentation on the Neruzh initiative

Earlier this month Asbarez reported on Neruzh, a new initiative launched by Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry to encourage young entrepreneurs from the Diaspora to submit their ideas for startup businesses in Armenia and become eligible to gain funding for realizing their project in the homeland.

Asbarez Editor Ara Khachatourian reached out to Armenia’s Deputy Diaspora Minister Aramayis Grigoryan, who is heading the initiative, to flesh out some of the specifics of the project and how it can advance Homeland-Diaspora relations. The interview with Grigoryan was conducted via email, the answers to which are presented below.

Asbarez: What are some of the specifics of the Neruzh Program?
ARAMAYIS GRIGORYAN: Neruzh is an interactive program for young entrepreneurs of Armenian descent, which gives them an opportunity to bring their business ideas to the motherland and found a startup with minimal risk. We wanted to create a program that specifically engages with the youth of the diaspora, as this has been a population segment that has historically been underserved by our ministry.

All young Diasporans between the ages of 18-35 are encouraged to apply by sending their business proposals via the website neruzh.am.  Up to 100 applicants will be selected through a rigorous screening process and will have the opportunity to come to Armenia and get introduced to the Armenian business environment during a week-long retreat from December 16-21 at the UWC Dilijan campus. Up to 10 projects will be selected to be financed in order to start their business. The deadline for applications is September 13.

The main precondition of the program, is that the selected teams will have to repatriate to Armenia and found their business in Armenia. They will receive a 4 month membership to the FAST Startup Studio, which will provide them with co-working space, coaching, and support to see their start up idea take form and become a viable business proposition. Afterwards, they will be supported by Impact Hub Yerevan with an 8 month fellowship program.

Asbarez: How does the Neruzh program fit in the larger goals and mission of the Diaspora Ministry?

A.G.: One of the primary missions of the ministry is repatriation. But we have to accept that relations with diaspora should be built on mutually beneficial principles. As such, repatriation of our diaspora should not be just the mere relocation of people – they should know the social and business impact of that process. Neruzh addresses that issue by giving diasporan youth an opportunity to learn firsthand what they can expect to encounter if they decide to repatriate. It supports bright diasporan entrepreneurs in launching their business, while at the same time helping to create new jobs in Armenia as their businesses grow. We believe this is a much more effective engagement of the vast human capital potential that exists in our diaspora.

Asbarez: Why have you decided to focus of the three specific realms of agriculture, tourism and IT?

A.G.: This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Neruzh 2018 is the first time we are conducting such a program, and as such it’s a pilot. We had to include certain restrictions in order to be able to control the quality and quantity. Moreover, those three sectors are the most needed in Armenia, and are clearly defined in our government program as priority sectors. I’d also like to mention that IT is referring to INNOVATIVE technologies. As such, if any idea has an innovative solution it is eligible.

Asbarez: Who is paying for the project?

A.G.: The budget consists of two parts: organizational and startup finance. In general, half of each part is financed by the Ministry and the other part is provided by our partners. In particular, we are partnering with the FAST Foundation the IDEA Foundation, as well as UWC Dilijan, Impact Hub Yerevan, the Russian-Armenian University and other organizations and individuals, which will be announced as the scope of their commitment becomes finalized.

Asbarez: Will the participants be expected to make additional investments in their startup (outside of the 15 million dram allocation)?

A.G.: During the main event in Dilijan which is going to be in December 16 – 21 we are going to invite additional investors and businesses in order to foster potential future cooperation that extends beyond the financing we provide. The chosen startups will also be provided with in-kind resources, including coaching and mentoring by our partners as well as temporary operating space.

Asbarez: What are the metrics based on which these proposals will be judged?

A.G.: The metrics are diverse and reflect the specifics of each sector. For this reason, we are involving a jury panel for each sector, comprised of experts in each field, in order to ensure professional evaluations. For me personally, as a member of a jury, it is important that the project be realistic and scalable for the Armenian market.

Asbarez: How does the Neruzh program address the larger and more complex Homeland-Diaspora relations issue?

A.G.: This is the reference of the principles that we have adopted. Armenians should come to Armenia not only for bringing their financial resources but also gain resources by bringing their ideas. We hope that Neruzh will grow to become a large scaled project that engages many entrepreneurs from the diaspora for years to come. Armenia-Diaspora relations shouldn’t only be based on emotional nationalistic tendencies, but should be very much grounded in reality. If a diasporan youth is engaged in a startup project that has nothing to do with our traditional notions of homeland engagement, that’s OK! We want them to simply carry on doing whatever it is they are doing in the diaspora, but to do it in Armenia instead. That is the basis for a sustainable repatriation strategy and movement.

Asbarez: Are similar opportunities being offered to locals through another ministry?

A.G.: I have heard that there are such projects in the works, especially in terms of systematically supporting the growth of the IT and startup sector in Armenia, but as this falls outside the scope of our ministry and project, I’ll refrain from commenting further until the appropriate ministries launch their initiatives.

Asbarez: Any final thoughts?

A.G.: I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank our partner organizations and individuals, which have been working very closely with us since day 1 to make this project a reality. It would not be possible without their support. Indeed, they are the true unsung heroes who are building this country as true partners. I’d also like to remind those who are interested that the deadline for applications is September 13. May the best applicants win!

Armen Ashotyan: The new Armenian authorities are obliged to make every effort in order to maintain post of CSTO Secretary General for Armenia after this scandal

Frangulian Shushan
Arminfo, Armenia
Aug 28 2018
Armen Ashotyan: The new Armenian authorities are obliged to make every effort in order to maintain post of CSTO Secretary General for Armenia after this scandal

Yerevan August 28

Ani Mshetsyan. “In his recent interview, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that he was against the candidacy of Yuri Khachaturov as Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and proposed other candidates, but I think that the President of Belarus did not fully reveal this issue, I think that Belarus was against Armenia’s chairmanship in this organization as a whole. ” This was reported on the page of the social network Facebook by the chairman of the permanent commission of the National Assembly on foreign relations Armen Ashotyan.

The Ambassador noted that this problem is probably not related to Khachaturov’s personality, because if membership was transferred to Armenia, then the leaders of other countries could not nominate their candidates for this post.

In particular, Ashotyan wrote: “This whole situation shows how much effort former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan made for our country in order to resolve the issue of the CSTO Secretary General in our favor.” As it became clear, the case against Yuri Khachaturov affected the case the point of view of the CSTO member countries and somewhat spoiled the credibility of the organization.The issue of maintaining our positions in the CSTO is becoming increasingly important, against the backdrop of the fact that we can become an observer country in the CSTO, In conclusion to all that has been said above, it becomes obvious that there were problems on the military political agenda of Armenia, which had not existed before. It is obvious that the new Armenian authorities, irrespective of the case instituted against Yuri Khachaturov, are obliged make every effort to preserve the post of Secretary General of the CSTO for Armenia after this scandal, “Ashotyan concluded.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with Belarus-1 that Belarus offered other candidates for the post of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Secretary General, and was right. “We looked deeper on this issue – from the point of view of the new leadership of Armenia, the policy pursued by Nikol Pashinyan and his government, we discussed our joint actions in the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the problems that now exist in the CSTO itself, as well as those areas of action for which are the responsibility of the members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, “Lukashenko said.

Secretary General of the CSTO Yuri Khachaturov is accused of overthrowing the constitutional order in the so-called “March 1, 2008 case.” At that time he held the post of the head of the Yerevan garrison. By a court decision of July 28, he was arrested and then released on bail in the amount of 5 million drams. In the same case, the second Armenian President Robert Kocharian and former Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan are on the wanted list.

On August 2, the Special Investigative Service stated that the preventive measure chosen against Yuri Khachaturov is not an obstacle for him to absent himself from Armenia for some time. At the same time, the CAS did not detail the permissible period of its absence.

Official Yerevan invited CSTO colleagues to consider the possibility of replacing the candidacy of the CSTO Secretary General from Armenia in connection with the criminal prosecution of Yuri Khachaturov.


A1+: Sergey Bagratyan: Without “digesting” the old one, you talk about new 40 million cubic meters (video)

Frangulian Shushan
  • 13:04 | August 28,2018 | Politics
  • Armenian:

During the discussion of the bill “On making changes to the RA law on restoration, conservation, reproduction and use of the Lake Sevan ecosystem,” PAP MP Sergey Bagratyan asked Inessa Gabayan, Water Committee Chairman, on what purpose the 100 million cubic meters water were used in the past and what effect this had.

“Without ‘digesting’ the old one, you talk about new 40 million cubic meters, and the justification is weak,” he said.

Inessa Gabayan replied that the Water Committee had already demanded a deficit of 80 million cubic meters at the beginning of the year.

In response to this, Sergey Bagratyan noticed that there is no justification in the bill.

“40 million is justified. As a result, we will have opportunity to get products from cultivated lands of 55,000 agricultural families,” added Inessa Gabayan.

To remind, the project envisages to take 40 million cubic meters of water from Sevan.

Dan Bilzerian visits Artsakh (photos)

Frangulian Shushan
| 12:11 | August 28 2018
Categories
Artsakh
Society

American-Armenian professional poker player, “King of Instagram” Dan Bilzerian visited the Republic of Artsakh.

Artsakh’s Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan posted a photo with Bilzerian on Facebook. “The conversation seems is taking place”, Melikyan said.

Bilzerian will visit a shooting range in Artsakh.


168: There were messages in PM Pashinyan’s speech very dangerous for the Constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia, and the fundaments of statehood – Ara Babloyan

Frangulian Shushan
| 09:23 | August 21 2018
Category
Politics

President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ara Babloyan issued a statement over the domestic political situation, noting that he plans meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Ombudsman, Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia and representatives of international diplomatic missions to discuss the existing situation.

The statement reads as follows,

“Dear compatriots,

I have attentively followed the activities of the Government during the 100 days and as the head of the parliament I expected to see a program aimed at the preservation of the country’s security, economic development, improvement of people’s welfare and of course further strengthening of democracy from my colleague, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. 100 days might be little time for hearing the complete vision of the PM over these issues and the constructive ways to solve them.

Definitely, I find that it’s necessary to fight against corruption. It’s definitely necessary to fight against monopolies.

I am convinced that people’s voice should always be heard. People should be maximally informed and involved in making the key decisions, since, as we know, the power in Armenia belongs to the people. But when doing all these we must be guided by only and only by the Constitution and laws, as well as by the full respect towards the international commitments assumed by the Republic of Armenia.

In this regard I record with regret that I am deeply concerned by the situation in the country.

The normal social-political life of the country, the legal-constitutional relations of state power bodies and public solidarity are under risk. I see dangers tendencies of dividing the public into supporters of revolution and counterrevolution and deepening of intolerance.

My concerns further rise especially after hearing this remark during PM Pashinyan’s speech. I quote “So I advise everyone to think before speaking. And you say that we limit your freedom of speech. You should first learn to think before speaking and then think about your freedom of speech”.

I have to admit that it was such remarks were unexpected for me to hear from PM Pashinyan for the simple reason that it’s just an encroachment against pluralism.

And frightening the judges and threatening the dissidents by the National Security Service parallel to this is not only a pressure against the judicial body, but also against anyone in the country who holds an opposite opinion.

There were also messages in PM Pashinyan’s speech very dangerous for the Constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia, and the fundaments of statehood, that are in direct contradiction with the international commitments assumed by Armenia for establishing a legal and democratic country.-

Particularly, the way of addressing the judges by the Head of the Executive in a way like this “sober up”, is a merely threat for the independence of the judiciary and an interference to all the ongoing and future judicial examinations and decisions. Under the theory of “transitional justice” an anti-legal hint of giving retroactive effect to the laws was made.

At the same time, the implementation of possible constitutional changes at the National Assembly of Armenia, moreover, with the threat to ensure the desired outcome, is an overt pressure and compulsion against the legislative branch.

For me, this is further incomprehensible given the fact that the opportunities for such discussions and making decisions at the parliament were not exhausted.

Therefore, taking into account the aforementioned, I plan meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Ombudsman, Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia and representatives of international diplomatic missions to discuss the existing situation.

Remaining faithful to my constitutional mission, I assure you that the National Assembly will continue to exercise the powers vested in it by the law.”

Alla ricerca dell’Arca perduta: a Echmiadzin, in Armenia, in un’antica chiesa c’è un pezzo della barca di Noè

Frangulian Shushan
Turismo Italia News
9 ago 2018
Alla ricerca dell’Arca perduta: a Echmiadzin, in Armenia, in un’antica chiesa c’è un pezzo della barca di Noè

                  

  • Stampa
Categoria: Focus
Pubblicato: 09 Agosto 2018
turismo   italia   news   turismoitalianews   Unesco   patrimonio   arte   storia   reportage   cultura   Turchia   Armenia   Ararat   Yerevan   Arca di Noè   Echmiadzin  

Giovanni Bosi, Echmiadzin / Armenia

Avete mai visto la leggendaria Arca di Noè? Un frammento di quella che può essere ben più di un simbolo o di un racconto biblico, è conservato in Armenia nella cattedrale madre di Echmiadzin, oggi Patrimonio dell’Unesco. Siamo andati a vederlo: quando ci si trova al cospetto dei frammenti di legno ritenuti essere parte della grande imbarcazione costruita da Noè su indicazione divina per sfuggire al Diluvio universale, non mancano suggestioni e interrogativi.

 

(TurismoItaliaNews) La città di Echmiadzin si trova nella regione Armavir Marz, a una ventina di chilometri dalla capitale Yerevan. Per chi arriva in Armenia è una tappa obbligata e non solo perché il complesso religioso è la dimostrazione tangibile dell’evoluzione e dello sviluppo del modello di chiesa a croce a cupola centrale armena (che ha esercitato una profonda influenza sullo sviluppo architettonico e artistico della regione) tanto da essere considerata “il Vaticano armeno”, quanto perché è uno scrigno prezioso di reperti.

A partire proprio da quei frammenti lignei conservati come una sacra reliquia in quanto ritenuti essere parte dell’Arca di Noè. E qui davvero si va indietro nella storia oltre che nei dogmi della fede umana. Tutti sappiamo che la grande imbarcazione fu costruita per preservare la specie umana e gli altri esseri viventi dal Diluvio universale e la stessa Bibbia ne fornisce anche le dimensioni: 300 cubiti di lunghezza. Secondo gli studiosi che da secoli si cimentano nello studio e pure nella ricerca dell’Arca, la lunghezza approssimativa sarebbe stata di 137 metri, una dimensione sicuramente superiore a quella delle barche costruite in legno sino al XIX secolo.

L’Armenia ha una considerazione particolare per l’Arca, perché secondo il racconto di un cronista del V secolo, l’armeno Fausto di Bisanzio la barca di Noè sarebbe stata visibile su una zona pianeggiante dell’Ararat, la grande montagna oggi ricadente nel territorio della Turchia ma anticamente appartenente alla nazione armena. E quella montagna dall’ammaliante silhouette oggi domina il panorama di buona parte del territorio dell’Armenia, tenuto conto che si trova appena al di là del confine. L’Ararat è talmente bello che inspiegabilmente non si smetterebbe mai di guardarlo, affascinati probabilmente proprio dalla storia dell’Arca di Noè, di cui tuttavia ricerche recenti non sono mai riuscite a trovare tracce probanti.

Eppure nella cattedrale madre di Echmiadzin, in una teca all’interno di una stanza dietro all’altare principale, c’è un frammento dell’Arca: ne sono certi gli Armeni. E accanto c’è dell’altro: la lancia sacra di Antiochia, identificata con la lancia di Longino che trafisse Gesù sulla croce; reliquie varie appartenenti ai santi apostoli Pietro, Andrea e Giuda Taddeo; la mano destra di San Gregorio Armeno. In fondo qui tutto parla di storia: questa è la prima chiesa a cupola, costruita nel 301-303 dal re Trdat III e San Gregorio Armeno detto l’Illuminatore. Il suo piano cruciforme con quattro absidi e una cupola centrale sorretta su quattro pilastri è ritenuto il contributo eccezionale dell’architettura ecclesiastica armena all’architettura cristiana nel suo complesso.

E questo le è valso sostanzialmente l’inserimento nel Patrimonio dell’umanità: la tecnica costruttiva messa a punto dagli architetti armeni si estese prima a Bisanzio e quindi all’Europa centrale e occidentale. Oltre alle sue qualità architettoniche, la cattedrale si distingue dalle altre chiese armene per i suoi originali affreschi interni: dal 1712 al 1721 ha lavorato qui Naghash Hovnatan (sono suoi i dipinti sulla parte superiore della cupola e la Santa Madre di Dio dipinti sul marmo interno dell’abside principale); Hakob e Harutyun Hovnatanyans (prima metà del XVIII secolo) e Hovnatan Hovnatanyan (seconda metà del XVIII secolo) hanno realizzato successivamente altre decorazioni. L’importanza del complesso architettonico della Santa Sede di Echmiadzin, sta anche nel fatto che questo è il luogo in cui risiede il Catholicos d’Armenia e di tutti gli armeni, capo della Chiesa apostolica armena. Tanto che nel 2000 è stata inclusa nella lista del Patrimonio Unesco insieme al vicino sito archeologico di Zvartnots e alle chiese di Santa Ripsima, di Santa Gaiana e di Shoghakat.

Un territorio particolarmente strategico in passato e abitato già in tempi antichissimi: l’insediamento di Echmiadzin è esistito sin dai tempi antichi, come documentano i reperti archeologici dell’età della pietra, del bronzo e del ferro situati in città e nelle sue vicinanze. Basti considerare che le più antiche informazioni scritte su questo luogo si riferiscono al periodo del re uriano Rusa II: 685-645 avanti Cristo.

Per saperne di più


Former Central Bank Chairman: The fact that Armenia is not included in the program of Millennium Challenges Corporation program is not a tragedy (video)

Frangulian Shushan
  • 17:45 | August 8,2018 | Economy
  • Armenian:

The fact that Armenia is not included in the program of Millennium Challenges Corporation should not be something to concern about.

“This is not the only program that we can work on. Do not consider it as a tragedy, look at the good side of it,” says former Central Bank Chairman Bagrat Asatryan.

The economist recalls that Armenia was deprived of this program after the March 1, 2018 events:”This was the assessment of our authorities.”

To recall, the Millennium Challenges Corporation has rejected the program of financing Armenia, and the reason for not supporting Armenia was that according to the World Bank’s report of July 1, Armenia has become a high-income country.

Economist Atom Margaryan mentions: “Our rating is even underestimated. Armenia cannot always be a beggar or a recipient. Armenia has received enough money for such institutional reforms.”

Even though economic activity figures have become high in recent months, the economist sees problems here.

“The unemployment rate remains at a unnatural high level, which is about three times higher than the natural unemployment rate.”

According to the National Statistical Service, the economic activity index of Armenia in the first half of 2018 was 8.9%, and in June it reached 9.6%.

Armenia’s 1000 largest corporate taxpayers paid over 446.6 billion drams in various taxes for first half of 2018

Frangulian Shushan
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, July 30. /ARKA/. Armenia’s 1000 largest corporate taxpayers paid over 446.6 billion drams in various taxes in the first half of 2018, by 18% or 68.1 billion drams more than in the same period of time in 2017, the State Revenue Committee said.

According to the State Revenue Committee, about 343.7 billion drams of that amount were collected directly by the tax authorities, and about 102.8 billion drams by the customs authorities.

Of that amount about 168 billion drams were collected as direct taxes (income tax – 92.4 billion drams and payroll tax – 75.6 billion drams), some 211.8 billion drams were collected as indirect taxes (VAT – 177.1 billion drams and  excise taxes – 34.6 billion drams), and also 66.6 billion drams were collected as other taxes and duties.

Armenia’s 1000 largest corporate taxpayers accounted for 74.1% of the total amount of taxes and duties collected in January-June 2018. Taxes and duties totaled more than 602.1 billion drams, an increase of 9.6% from the year before.

The list was topped by the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine in the southern province of Syunik that paid over 24.6 billion drams as taxes, up from 9.7 billion drams paid for the same period in 2017.

Second in the list is Gazprom Armenia national gas distribution company, which paid 20.7 billion drams, down from 24.4 billion drams paid a year before. It is followed by Grand Tobacco, which paid 16.7 billion drams, up from 15.6 billion drams paid for the first half of 2017. The fourth is GeoProMining Gold company, which paid about 8.8 billion drams against 8.1 billion drams paid for the same period in 2017.

The CPS OIL CORPORATION company, which paid 8.16 billion drams, compared with 6.1 billion drams for 6 months of 2017, was fifth.

The list of top 10 large taxpayers also includes PHILIP MORRIS ARMENIA (8.1 billion drams), Alex Holding (7.6 billion drams), JTI ARMENIA (7 billion drams), Electrical Networks of Armenia (6.5 billion drams) and International Masis Tabak “(5.8 billion drams). ($ 1 – 480.89 drams). -0-