Author: Garnik Tadevosian

Over 2150 new equipment used by farmers as part of agricultural leasing support program

Garnik Tadevosian

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 10:18,

YEREVAN, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. Farming businesses acquired around 2150 new agricultural equipment within the framework of the Agricultural Equipment Leasing Support Program which is implemented through government subsidy.

The purpose of the program is to increase the agricultural output and cut the farmers’ expenses.

Ministry of Economy Agricultural Program Development, Resource Use and Cooperative Development Department Chief Ira Panosyan told ARMENPRESS that they launched the program in 2017 as the agricultural equipment used by farmers was old and required upgrade.

The government is subsidizing the interest rate of the leasing. The banks issue 14% interest rate leasing, 12% of which is subsidized by the government so that the leasing is accessible to the farmers for 2%. The leasing is issued for a 10-year term, depending on the value of the equipment. The average term is 6 years.

However, farmers working in border towns and those who suffered disabilities in the military and are now in the farming business get a full subsidy.

Panosyan said the program is giving good results and the agricultural equipment in Armenia is being gradually upgraded.

“Since the beginning of the program around 2150 units of equipment were issued as part of 10 billion dram leasing. And only as of the 6 months of this year, 1,4 billion drams of agricultural leasing has already been issued,” she said.

Aside from increasing output and cutting spending, the program has an ecological goal given the emissions from old equipment.

Interview by Anna Grigoryan




Azerbaijan identifies 2908 people killed in 44-day war

Garnik Tadevosian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
17:37, 21.07.2022

The identities of 2908 people killed in the 44-day war (aggression against Artsakh and Armenia from 27 September to 9 November, 2020) have been established in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor’s Office reported.

This was announced by military prosecutor  Khanlar Veliyev at a meeting of the Collegiate Military Prosecutor’s Office on the results of the first half of 2022, haqqin.az reported.

He noted that as a result of operational and investigative activities, urgent investigative actions, numerous examinations, as well as the regular work of search teams in this direction, military prosecutors together with the staff of the Ministry of Interior and State Security Service have so far managed to identify 2908 people who died in the 44-day war, and identify missing servicemen and transfer their bodies to the families. According to him, investigative measures continue in order to establish the whereabouts of six missing servicemen.

Armenia wins two bronze medals at International Geography Olympiad

Garnik Tadevosian
Panorama
Armenia –

EDUCATION 14:36 22/07/2022 ARMENIA

Armenian school students have won two bronze medals at the 18th International Geography Olympiad hosted by France from 12 to 18 July.

A total of 209 contestants from 54 countries around the world gathered online for the event, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports reported.

12th graders Ruben Sargsyan from Gyumri’s Foton College and Hovhannes Stepanyan from Nor Artagers Secondary School earned bronze medals for the Armenian team, which also included two students from Yerevan’s Quantum College.

The team was led by Vahagn Grigoryan (YSU) and Vardan Asatryan (the National Academy of Sciences, Quantum College).

The Armenian team won one bronze medal at the 17th International Geography Olympiad held online.

Newspaper: Many Armenia judges to boycott their general meeting

Garnik Tadevosian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
10:01, 20.07.2022

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: There is confusion again in the judicial system of Armenia. According to the information received by Zhoghovurd daily, many judges have decided to boycott and not go to the judges’ meeting to be held on July 27.

And what has upset the third branch of Armenia’s power, the judiciary?

According to the information we have received, the results of the elections of the [new] judges to the anticorruption chamber of the RA Court of Cassation as well as the [new] judges to the Court of Cassation by the National Assembly have greatly upset the latter. In addition, many judges were angered by the way of working by the judges who upheld the arrest of [film] producer Armen Grigoryan, when they sat quietly and watched how the man sealed his death in the courtroom. Moreover, some of the judges stated that they are on vacation and will not be present at the [aforesaid] meeting.

The meeting called for July 27 will probably not take place due to the lack of a quorum.

Let us note that (…) the purpose of the meeting is to elect new members to the [several] vacant seats of the SJC [(Supreme Judicial Council)] members.

Asbarez: ARS Western U.S. Elects New Regional Executive

Garnik Tadevosian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Participants of the 98th ARS Western Regional Convention


The Armenian Relief Society Western United States held its 98th Regional Convention from July 8 to 10 at the Armenian Sisters’ Academy in Glendale with the participation of 59 elected delegates from 19 Western U.S. chapters, said a statement form the convention.

Also participating in the meeting were ARS Central Executive chair, Nyree Derderian and other members Maral Matossian and Arusiak Melkonian, as well as members of the outgoing Regional Executive and guests.

The outgoing Regional Executive chair Sylva Poladian opened the meeting, calling for the observance of a moment of silence in memory of all the heroes who gave their lives during the 44-Day War. A message form Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan, as well as the day’s blessing were offered by Very Rev. Smpad Saboundjian.

Derderian, the Central Executive chair, welcomed the convention participants on behalf the ARS’ highest administrative body and offered her gratitude to all ARS members who supported and advance the organization’s activities and efforts, always elevating the ARS’ motto of “With the People and For the People.”

After the election of the convention chairs and secretaries, the meeting spent the ensuing three days hearing the report of the outgoing Regional Executive, and assessing the activities of the organization, based on which resolutions were adopted, laying the groundwork for the incoming Regional Executive. The convention also discussed the current state of the needs in the community, as well as the organization’s role in addressing critical relief concerns in Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk, Syria and Lebanon.

The convention made a special mention of the ARS Social Service centers and their activities, headed by Talar Aintablian, as well as psychological counseling center, headed by Dr. Ida Karayan. The convention also commended ARS Regional office Executive Director Jasik Jarahian for her continued and unwavering efforts.

The convention specifically addressed the ARS Central Executive’s project to install solar panels in Artsakh to provide electricity and hot water to the residents there. Encouraged by the scope of the project the ARS chapters and individuals members made on the spot donations totaling $85,000. The Regional Executive offered a matching contribution of $15,000 rounding out the figure to $100,000. A portion of the contributions will also be allocated to the ARS Sosseh Kindergartens in Ashan and Akanabert, which the Western U.S. Regional Executive sponsors, in addition to the facility in Stepanakert.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegates elected a new Regional Executive, which will serve until 2024, comprised of the following members:

Vicky Marashlian, Chairperson
Jarmen Mirzakhanian, Vice-Chairperson
Maral Manokian, Secretary
Christine Khanjian, Treasurer; and
Emma Garabedian, Shoushan Tashjian, Seda Khojayan, Haigo Barsamian and Anoush Chalian as advisors.

Ruling party will not initiate the process of stripping opposition MPs of mandates

Garnik Tadevosian

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 19:24,

YEREVAN, JULY 14, ARMENPRESS. The “Civil Contract” faction has decided not to appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding the issue of stripping the opposition MPs of their mandates, ARMENPRESS reports Vice-President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan said in a conversation with journalists after the session of the National Assembly Council, the agenda of which was the issue to appeal to the Constitutional Court for stripping opposition MPs of mandates.

According to Rubinyan, there are a number of reasons behind this decision. According to him, first of all, by relieving some opposition MPs of their parliamentary positions, the problems facing the normal operation of some parliamentary committees and the National Assembly in general can be assessed as solved.

“Our political creed also includes respect for the people’s vote. We respect the vote given by the entire people, the people formed a majority and a minority with their vote. We respect that vote, and we believe that this behavior, the behavior and philosophy of the opposition should be a problem for their voters first and foremost. I think our people who voted for them will make appropriate decisions for the next elections,” Rubinyan said.

Thus, according to the Vice-President of the National Assembly, the first reason for the decision not to appeal to the Constitutional Court is respect for the people’s vote.

According to Rubinyan, the next reason for not initiating the process is that the country needs political stability and solidarity.

The opposition has not participated in the National Assembly sessions for a long time, they have started a street struggle.




Secretary of Security Council of Armenia, EU Special Representative discuss implementation of the Brussels process

Garnik Tadevosian

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 19:33,

YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS. On July 13, Secretary of Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan met with Toivo Klaar, the EU’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Crisis in Georgia. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin attended the meeting.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Security Council, during the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the Brussels process of the normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, as well as the implementation process of the agreements reached during the meetings.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan could well attempt to destabilize South Caucasus as electoral strategy – Ruben Safrastyan

Garnik Tadevosian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo.Turkish President Recep Erdogan could well attempt to destabilize the South Caucasus to consolidate his positions before the 2023 elections, Professor Ruben  Safrastyan said in an interview with ArmInfo. 

He does not rule out foreign policy gambling to distract public  attention from the grave socio-economic situation in Turkey, which  would enable Turkey to try to destabilize the situation in the  Caucasus by means of Azerbaijan, purely for domestic political gain. 

“It should be noted at this point that the recent polls show the  ruling Justice and Development Party second for the first time over  two decades, surrendering the top place to the Kemalist Republican  People’s Party.  However, other polls show Erdogan as the most  popular Turkish politician, who, according to Turkish and foreign  experts, is most likely to win the run-off,” Mr Safrastyan said. 

The rumors have been circulating in Turkey over the last year about   the Turkish president’s intention to hold an early presidential   election this November. This June, however, Erdogan stated once again   that no early presidential or parliamentary elections would be held   in the country, and the elections would take place in June 2023.   Recep Erdogan’s traditional rival, the Republican People’s Party, is  claiming that by means of early elections the Turkish president is  seeking to identify his falling rating, with all the recent polls  being evidence thereof. 

Anyway, the sad socio-economic and financial situation in Turkey and  widespread popular discontent is sure to affect the rating of Recep  Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party. And any realistic  forecasts are too early to make given the ruling party’s shaky  positions in confronting a six-party opposition coalition. 

“I think that a victory of the Republican People’s Party over Erdogan  would bring about changes in Turkey’s policy toward Armenia, as that  state’s foreign policy would be more predictable and more coordinated  with the West – the USA and NATO. However, I do not expect any  radical changes in Turkey’s regional policy and its policy toward  Armenia,” Mr Safrastyan said.

Amir-Abdollahian: Iran supports peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict based on intl. law

Garnik Tadevosian
PRESS TV, Iran
July 4 2022
Monday, 04 July 2022 12:44 PM

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has reiterated Tehran’s support for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on principles of the international law.

“In today’s talks, the issue of the territorial integrity of countries, including the Republic of Azerbaijan, was once again emphasized by us. We also reaffirmed our support for the peaceful settlement of the ongoing Karabakh conflict based on the well-known principles of the international law,”  Amir-Abdollahian said at a joint press conference with the visiting Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Tehran on Monday.

“Since the beginning of the Karabakh dispute, the Islamic Republic has always declared its readiness to help resolve the conflict through dialogue. We are still ready to continue our support and assistance in this regard, so that the remaining issues would be resolved on the basis of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the involved parties and through political dialogue,” he added.

According to reports, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev announced last month that their respective countries would be setting up border security and delimitation commissions, signaling a step towards the settlement of a decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Tensions between Yerevan and Baku remain high more than 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.

Raeisi: Regional states must cooperate to prevent Israeli intrusion

Iran’s President Raeisi says regional nations must prevent the Israeli regime from intruding into the region.

Also in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian said the Islamic Republic of Iran and Azerbaijan have cleared up all previous misunderstandings between the two neighboring Muslim countries.

Tension broke out between Tehran and Baku in October 2021 after the Iranian foreign minister issued a warning concerning certain provocations by the Israeli regime near Iran’s borders with Azerbaijan.

The regime, he said, had used the flare-up of the latest tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2020 to establish a presence in parts of Azerbaijan.

Tensions started to flare up after Azerbaijan’s president criticized military exercises by the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces in the northwestern part of the country. Tehran hit back by saying that holding drills is part of the national sovereignty, warning that Israel’s anti-Iran activities in neighboring countries will not be tolerated.

But later Azerbaijan released the two Iranian truck drivers whose arrest had strained ties between Baku and Tehran.

The move marked a thaw between the two countries a week after their foreign ministers agreed to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Amir-Abdollahian: Having cleared up misunderstandings, Tehran and Baku determined to promote ties

The Iranian foreign minister says Iran and Azerbaijan are determined to improve relations.

Elsewhere in his Monday remarks, Amir-Abdollahian touched on the promotion of bilateral ties and said that the volume of their bilateral trade has increased dramatically in the past months.

“Over the past 10 months, we have clarified misunderstandings and we are in the phase of the promotion of increasing relations,” he said. 

He added that the volume of trade between the two countries has witnessed a big jump in the past months, and expressed hope that the two countries’ public and private sectors will take further steps toward increasing the volume of bilateral trade.

“During today’s negotiations, a wide range of bilateral issues were thoroughly discussed and relevant viewpoints exchanged. As you know, the presidents of the two countries have had two one-on-one meetings in the last 10 months. During the meetings, especially in last week’s meeting between Ilham Aliyev and [his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim] Raeisi, constructive and forward-looking talks on a new phase of mutual ties between the two countries were held,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

“We stressed the need for deepening the relations between the two countries on the basis of understanding, trust and mutual interests,” the Iranian foreign minister added.

Iran, Azerbaijan stress need to resolve issues through dialogue, cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani counterpart have in a phone conversation stressed the need for the resolution of recent issues between Baku and Tehran through dialogue and cooperation.

The top Iranian diplomat stressed that various existing diplomatic formats between two or more countries should be seriously taken into consideration given unfolding developments and new conditions.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to note that he had tabled a proposal on hosting a tripartite foreign ministerial meeting between Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey in Tehran during his last week meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara.

Iran, Azerbaijan oppose foreign interference in regional affairs

Iran and Azerbaijan voice opposition to the meddling of foreign players in the region.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said that energy and transit are two important issues concerning economic cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan, stating that Iranian Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian is going to visit Baku later this week to discuss steps aimed at bringing Khoda Afarin Dam into operation as summer heat is coming.

“Agreements on synchronization of power grids as well as electronic power networks between the two countries will be finalized during the Iranian energy minister’s visit,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

He said discussions were also held with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the pollution of the Aras River, stressing that the roots of the contamination have been identified both in Iran and Azerbaijan.

Amir-Abdollahian also extended the Iranian president’s invitation to Aliyev to visit Tehran, emphasizing that consultations are underway to determine the timing of the trip.

Azerbaijan keen to promote ties with Iran

Bayramov, for his part, said that he had fruitful talks with Iranian officials during Monday’s talks on matters of mutual interest as well as regional issues.

“Our bilateral trade volume grew by 30% last year,” the Azerbaijani foreign minister pointed out. He, however, noted that Tehran and Baku needed to further bolster ties as they enjoy great economic and trade potential. 

He also said that his country has reached an argument with Iran to make joint cars and tractors, adding that cooperation on building dams and power plants is also among top priorities for the two neighbors.   

35 U.S. House Members pledge to block Biden Administration sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara

Garnik Tadevosian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 9 2022
July 9, 2022, 00:09

 4 minutes read

Thirty-five U.S. Representatives pledged today – in a bipartisan letter to President Biden – to “take every action afforded to us as Members of Congress” to block the sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits to Turkey, in light of the Erdogan regime’s repression at home and aggression abroad against Greece, Cyprus, Armenians and Kurds, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Armenian Americans join with all our coalition partners in thanking Congressman Pallone for his leadership in checking Erdogan’s escalating threats of aggression against Greece, Cyprus, Armenians, and Kurds,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We express our appreciation to all who joined this bipartisan appeal and who support legislative initiatives to block the reckless sale of F-16’s to Turkey.”

In addition to the ANCA, the following U.S. civil society organizations are on the record opposing the sale F-16s to Turkey: American Friends of Kurdistan, American Jewish Committee, Hellenic American Leadership Council, In Defense of Christians, Middle East Forum, and PSEKA – International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Hellenic Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) were joined by Greek-American Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Dina Titus (D-NV) in securing Congressional co-signers on the letter to President Biden, sharing their deep concern about the support he expressed for an F-16 sale to Turkey during the recent NATO summit in Madrid, Spain.

The Congressional letter states, “Turkish and Turkish-backed forces have utilized American-made weaponry and components during these incursions to commit war crimes, including purposefully bombing civilian targets like hospitals and schools in Iraq, Syria, and Nagorno Karabakh. They have also been used repeatedly to violate the sovereign territory of NATO allies and partners like Greece and Cyprus. These are hardly the actions of a committed ally to the United States and Europe.” The letter concludes stating, “precedent shows that Erdogan will not change his behavior if we continue to reward his efforts to undermine the NATO alliance. The United States must not provide any further support to Turkey’s military until tangible steps are taken to halt his destabilizing actions and violations of international law at home and abroad.”

In addition to Representatives Pallone, Bilirakis, Maloney, Pappas, and Titus, Congressional co-signers on the letter to President Biden include Representatives Karen Bass (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Charles Fleischmann (R-TN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA), David Valadao, (R-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The full text of the Congressional letter to President Biden opposing the F-16 sale to Turkey is provided below:

Dear President Biden,

We are deeply concerned by comments made on June 30 at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Madrid, Spain, on the potential sale of Block 70 F-16s and mechanical upgrades to Turkey. We have strongly urged the rejection of this sale because it would reward President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for ignoring Turkey’s alliance commitments to the United States and NATO and the vast human rights abuses his regime continues to commit at home and abroad.

Erdogan has consistently chosen to prioritize divisive tactics for personal gain above the collective good of his allies. His choice to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO until he received absurd and unrelated concessions makes it clear that he has done the bare minimum to bolster NATO’s strategic posture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered the largest crisis the alliance has faced in decades.

Erdogan’s use of alarming tactics antithetical to the common good of the NATO alliance should not come as a surprise. His regime has repeatedly used its military power to destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, South Caucasus, and North Africa for years. Turkish and Turkish-backed forces have utilized American-made weaponry and components during these incursions to commit war crimes, including purposefully bombing civilian targets like hospitals and schools in Iraq, Syria, and Nagorno Karabakh. They have also been used repeatedly to violate the sovereign territory of NATO allies and partners like Greece and Cyprus. These are hardly the actions of a committed ally to the United States and Europe.

The sale of American advanced fighter jets to Turkey will not incentivize Erdogan to suddenly transform into a good ally. More likely, these weapons will lead to further death and destruction in the region. Turkey also continues to utilize S-400 missile defense systems, which potentially exposes important tactical information about U.S. weaponry and military operations to Russia.

Additionally, the Erdogan regime continues to promote unfair elections, suppress civil society, and abuse human rights at home to maintain its grip on power. With the Turkish economy in decline and Erdogan’s standing at an all-time low, news outlets directly controlled by his repressive ruling party will use any major weapons sale as propaganda to prop him up like they have already done with the concessions obtained at the NATO summit.

As your Administration seeks to advance the sale of new F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey, please know that we will take every action afforded to us as Members of Congress to prevent it from moving forward. Precedent shows that Erdogan will not change his behavior if we continue to reward his efforts to undermine the NATO alliance. The United States must not provide any further support to Turkey’s military until tangible steps are taken to halt his destabilizing actions and violations of international law at home and abroad.