CIVILNET.AM
22:02
Armenia is set to extend the state of emergency. Georgia has offered to assist Armenia with coronavirus testing. Additional covid-19 outbreaks have occurred in Armenia’s textile factories.
Author: Garnik Zakarian
Russia says Armenia to make Kalashnikovs, US senator ‘alarmed by Trump administration military aid for Azerbaijan’
BNE Intellinews
June 7 2020
Armenia reportedly has plans to start production of Russian AK-103 Kalashnikov rifles during the first 10 days of July.
The Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said annual production volume was expected to be 50,000 rifles, with components to be supplied from Russia. The service confirmed the information in emailed comments to Reuters on June 4.
The contract was signed on May 15.
Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner in the South Caucasus region and hosts a Russian military base, although Moscow serves as an intermediary in attempts to resolve hostilities between Armenia and neighbour Azerbaijan.
Separately, Public Radio of Armenia reported on June 24 that, alarmed by a US Trump administration military aid programme to Azerbaijan that has “skyrocketed” to more than $120mn over the past three fiscal years, Senator Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) has formally requested that the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) provide the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a detailed report on this assistance programme and its compliance with Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
The radio outlet cited a report from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Enacted in 1992, Section 907 places statutory restrictions and requirements on US taxpayer funding to Azerbaijan until that government takes “demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh”, the report stated.
Armenia and Azerbaijani have remained in a standoff over Nagorno-Karabakh—a breakaway territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians—since fighting a war over the enclave between 1988 and 1994.
Azerbaijan has lately conducted large-scale military exercises in the western exclave of Nakhchivan, partly to test new Turkish-manufactured multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) stationed there.
Think tank Jamestown observed that “the bilateral defense ties between Ankara and Baku have scaled-up to a new level over the past decade, becoming a genuine military alliance, thanks to the 2010 Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support (ASPMS)”.
https://www.intellinews.com/russia-says-armenia-to-make-kalashnikovs-us-senator-alarmed-by-trump-administration-military-aid-for-azerbaijan-184772/?source=azerbaijan&fbclid=IwAR1zp4hE5FhAkA8xq1cdQSet5EPNWHQeaC2B2zfk08FuCNYUBeEFDfg9q6k
Armenian President congratulates Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on national day
Armenian President congratulates Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on national day
14:49, 5 June, 2020
YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on the country’s national holiday – Constitution Day, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.
President Sarkissian highlighted further strengthening the friendly relations with Denmark which are based on mutual respect and developing the cooperation at bilateral and multilateral formats.
He wished Queen Margrethe II and the Royal family good health, and further development and welfare to the good people of Denmark.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
A view from Moscow: Attempted involvement of Azerbaijan in CSTO will face powerful opposition of Armenia
Arminfo, Armenia
June 1 2020
ArmInfo.Talk about the possible membership of Azerbaijan in the CSTO or granting Baku observer status in the Organization is intensifying significantly. First of all, due to the fact that today there is an opportunity for such a status. A similar opinion was expressed by ArmInfo, head of the Eurasian integration and development of the SCO Institute of the CIS countries, military expert Vladimir Evseev.
Recall that at a previous meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO countries, Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the possible receipt of the SCO and the CIS as CSTO partners. Commenting on this statement, the expert described it as made in order to expand both the zone of influence of the CSTO and, in fact, the Organization. According to Evseev, such statements indicate certain discussions and the existence of processes based on the application of the Organization. “In any case, Armenia has every opportunity to express its own approaches, both in relation to the observing prospects of Azerbaijan, and in relation to the prospects of the CIS and the SCO. Given the common interest of the participating countries in developing opportunities, strengthening and expanding the CSTO, its cooperation with the SCO and the CIS will make it possible for the organization to be more effective, “the military expert emphasized. Evseev noted the existence of a real tool to prevent the involvement of Azerbaijan in one form or another in the activities of the CSTO. Moreover, regardless of the presence of certain hidden negotiations or agreements on this issue. The expert suggests that due to the expected long-term and insurmountable contradictions as a result of the involvement of Baku in one form or another in the CSTO, countries interested in preventing such a prospect will suspend this process. According to Yevseyev’s estimates, this topic in any case provides a number of players with space for political maneuvering and, accordingly, an opportunity for negotiations. According to his forecasts, this opportunity will soon be played in various political combinations, including from Baku. In this case, in any case, an attempt to involve Azerbaijan in the CSTO will meet with powerful opposition from Armenia.
Asbarez: ServiceTitan Establishes ‘Yes, Armenian Women Can!’ Scholarship Fund
Service Titan co-founders Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian
ServiceTitan founders Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian both grew up in households that valued education. They believe that Armenia’s greatest competitive advantage is the convergence of education and technology. “Our goal is to invest in the community, and the most valuable way we can do that is through investing in quality education and top talent,” say the founders. “Education is vital for the future of Armenia. Supporting and promoting women in the technology sector will be a driving force for Armenia’s economic success and backbone.”
Alene Aroustamian has a lead role in ServiceTitan’s identity and culture. She works closely with the founders and has been instrumental in creating the valuable partnership between the company and AUA with a long-term vision of creating a supply chain of female engineers and computer scientists that will fuel the tech industry in Armenia. Through the establishment of the ServiceTitan Endowed Scholarship Fund at AUA, the new generation of female students interested in the field will be empowered through the gift of education annually, in perpetuity.
Alene Aroustamian has shepherded the Service Titan-AUA partnership
“Ara and Vahe’s philosophy is that none of us know the limits of our own potential. They motivate and push me to become the best version of myself,” Alene says. “I share this to demonstrate that both gentlemen strongly believe success is limitless and want to actively help those eager to live up to their potential. Think about the countless young men and women in Armenia and the untapped potential they possess along with the success stories waiting to be told a few years from now.”
Service Titan Team
The ability to code is a superpower. In the hands of bright and ambitious individuals, this skill can — and truly will — change the world. The ServiceTitan story is a testament to exactly that— the founders applied their skill to start a software company that would help workers in the service industry, like both of their fathers. This startup eventually evolved into the 1000-plus person company it is today, with offices in two major U.S. cities and one in the heart of Armenia. It all began when the founders learned how to code at a young age, were supported in the process, and then went on to attend world-class educational institutions to continue honing and developing their skills.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
Covid-19: Armenia reports 359 new cases, 128 recoveries
Public Radio of Armenia
Israeli Political Scientist: Formation of government and opening of Armenian Embassy in Israel are the key to enhancing relations
Arminfo, Armenia
ArmInfo. The emergence of a finally formed government in Israel and the opening of the Armenian Embassy are the key to enhancing relations between our countries. Dr. Alexander Tzinker, co-chair of the Armenia-Israel international public forum, expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
“In my opinion, the presence in Israel of a finally formed, and not transitional, government will become one of the main factors for intensifying relations with Armenia as I have expected. Last year I told you in an interview that I did not expect much development of relations between our countries before the end of the elections and, most importantly, the final formation of the Israeli government. This period is finally over and now it will be much easier for our diplomats and parliamentarians to establish contacts, “he stressed.
Israel was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. The diplomatic relations between Armenia and Israel were established in April 1992, however, neither the Armenian ambassador in Israel nor the Israeli one in Armenia had residences in the countries of accreditation. In September 2019, the Armenian government decided to transfer the residence of the Armenian diplomatic mission from Yerevan to Tel Aviv. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian on February 25, 2020.
Noting that the coronavirus pandemic prevented the opening of the Armenian embassy in Tel Aviv, scheduled for May, Tzinker expressed confidence that the embassy would open after quarantine in Israel was completed. According to his forecasts, inter-parliamentary diplomacy has played a significant role in the development of relations. According to Tzinker, this issue is already under discussion.
“The process of deepening and developing relations between our countries is developing steadily, a lot of effort is being made in this direction, moreover these efforts are bilateral. I think that after the opening of the Armenian embassy in our country, it will become a venue for important meetings to discuss new ideas in the direction of developing cooperation between Armenia and Israel, “the Israeli political scientist concluded.
CIVILNET.Record High of COVID-19 Cases in Armenia as Economy Opens Up
CIVILNET.AM
20:56
The PM has announced that the constitutional referendum will not be held. 351 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. USAID has increased its assistance to Armenia by $11 million. Public transport operations have resumed throughout Armenia. Plans for a new bus manufacturing plant have been announced.
Head of public organization fighting for “national values” detained in Armenia
JAM News
16.05.2020
JAMnews, Yerevan
The head of the Kamk [Arm. Will] organization Vahagn Chakhalyan has been detained – a group in Armenia that has been protesting Armenia’s signing of the European Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse.
This is the third time in 24 hours.
Activists of his initiative group connect the detainment with the fact that the day before they held a protest rally at the president’s residence. They demanded that the signing of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse be deferred until the end of the state of emergency.
The state of emergency was introduced in Armenia on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now it has been extended until June 13, as the number of infected continues to grow.
What does the organization of Chakhalyan demand?
Activists consider the convention a conspiracy against the inhabitants of Armenia.
“We hope that Armen Sargsyan will not take part in the conspiracy against our people. Before signing, let the president listen to our voice, the voice of the people, then we’ll only decide,” said one of the protesters.
The organization of Vahagn Chakhalyan was actively and outspoken in November 2019, when it opposed the adoption of the Istanbul Convention.
Then the activists also stated that the convention endangered the traditional Armenian values.
“Citizens are ready to organize disobedience protests in different cities of Armenia. We say that this is not yet necessary, since the document is not yet at the ratification stage. And if the National Assembly of Armenia does not listen to the voice of citizens and goes against their opinion, then protests will take place in all cities,” Chakhalyan said then.
On the convention opposed by Chakhalyan
On May 11, the Armenian Parliament adopted the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. 79 people voted in favor, 12 voted against. The Bright Armenia opposition faction did not participate in the vote.
According to opponents of the convention, it is aimed not at protecting children, but at their corruption.
The document itself states children must be protected regardless of their sexual orientation.
“One of the articles of the convention is education. It encourages countries to introduce means in their national educational programs in order to provide children with primary skills to determine risks to their sexual integrity, as well as self-defense skills,” said Anna Karapetyan, a member of the ruling parliamentary faction.
She says this does not mean that in primary and secondary school children will be taught what sexual integrity is.
“The task is to provide skills on how to recognize in adults’ actions possible signs that they may be at risk and how to ask for help so that the sexual integrity of the children is protected.”
Armenian Winemakers Union: Wine sales drop by 60-70% in domestic market
News.am, Armenia
21:59, 13.05.2020