11:06, 22 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. 753 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Armenia in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative total number of confirmed cases to 416,510, the Ministry of Healthcare reported.
16 people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the total death toll to 8354.
5588 tests were conducted on February 21.
2075 people recovered (total 394,155).
As of February 22, the number of active cases stands at 12,408.
A military post along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
The recent acceleration of processes around the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, coupled with the momentum in opening transport links with Azerbaijan and the delimitation and demarcation process pose significant threats to Armenia’s sovereignty and independence.
Armenia’s government seems to be embracing these processes that have been forced upon it as a result of the defeat suffered in the 2020 war. What we are not hearing from Yerevan, however, is any guarantees that Armenia’s sovereignty will not take a hit as these discussions move forward.
The Turkey-Armenia normalization process is fraught with dangers. Yerevan has voiced its desire to open borders with Turkey and establish diplomatic relations with Ankara, without holding that country accountable for its direct interference and aggression during the 2020 war. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government also do not seem to have a blueprint in place that will guide Armenia’s economic, strategic and security interests aside from their stated commitment and much-touted policy of “peace in the region.”
As Azerbaijan continues to threaten Armenia and Artsakh—including calling for the arrests and prosecution of current and former leaders and the appropriation of Armenian cultural heritage—Yerevan is signaling its readiness to engage in the opening of transportation routes and border demarcation processes.
Despite Moscow’s assurances, one may consider that by signing an “allied cooperation” agreement earlier this week, Putin was giving Aliyev the keys to Artsakh in return for Baku’s support for Russia’s military actions in the Ukraine—Azerbaijan’s long-time ally.
Other factors and machinations at play, which have received wider attention recently, as regional developments—the crisis in Kazakhstan earlier this year, and the more current developing situation unfolding in Ukraine—are certain to impact Armenia.
One such scheme is the Russia-Belarus Union State, which has gained momentum in the past the past several weeks, especially following the intervention by the Collective Security Treaty Organization—the CSTO—in Kazakhstan, which was approved by Pashinyan as the group’s current president. The Union State envisions the economic, security and defense integration in the hopes of forming what is being dubbed a “supranational” entity.
Earlier this month, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during an interview that “Armenia has nowhere [else] to go,” but to join this integrated group. “Do you think anyone needs them?” While Yerevan’s reaction was tempered, Lukashenko’s remarks certainly angered the people.
This didn’t deter former president and current leader of the opposition Armenia Alliance Robert Kocharian to advocate, once again, for Armenia to join a Russia-led integrated alliance. During a press conference last week, Kocharian said that given what he thought was a pro-Turkey and Azerbaijan posturing by Yerevan, Armenia’s integration in a Russia-led union would be preferable.
Kocharian is pro-Russian. He demonstrated that during his presidency and certainly has advocated more Russian involvement/intervention in Armenia. But as someone who is leading the main opposition force in parliament, his constant advocacy for Armenia’s integration into any foreign-led alliance seems to signal that he has given up on the viability of Armenia’s independence.
Despite Armenia’s losses in the war or its current predicament, the main responsibility of the political forces actively involved in Armenia’s daily policy making must be the protection of the country’s sovereignty.
Armenia’s and Artsakh’s independence were hard won. In preserving the concept of Armenia’s independence and in establishing Artsakh’s sovereignty, thousands gave their lives for the right to a homeland and the principle of a freedoms that we are seeing tested across the world.
Independence and our homeland’s sovereignty cannot be squandered or negotiated away for expediency. They are of paramount importance and must be protected, defended and preserved at all cost.
10:12,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. A delegation led by Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan departed for Russia on February 24, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
It added that during the visit Minister Papikyan will have meetings with his Russian counterpart Minister Sergey Shoygu and other government officials.
14:39,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Justice Minister of Armenia Karen Andreasyan and his delegation met with Vice President of Iran for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehghan in Tehran, the ministry said in a press release.
The sides discussed the Armenian-Iranian cooperation in legal and economic areas.
The full protection of rights of Iranian nationals convicted in Armenia was emphasized during the minister’s visit.
Completing the construction of the Iran-Armenia 400 kW power transmission line, organizing the 6th meeting of experts for approving the positions of the two countries over the Persian Gulf-Black Sea multilateral deal, and many other issues were discussed.
Both sides agreed to make more efforts to develop the Armenian-Iranian relations.
TEHRAN – Iranian deputy police chief Qasem Rezaei and his Armenian counterpart Aram Hovhannisyan on Tuesday discussed strengthening police interactions to guarantee the security of the two countries.
During a meeting held in Tehran, Rezaei expressed hope to enhance cooperation with Armenian police officials in various areas, announcing readiness to hold joint specialized meetings with the aim of expanding relations, IRNA reported.
Noting that the Iranian police has valuable and unique experiences in various police fields, he added that “I hope that holding such bilateral meetings, especially in border cities, will be a practical beginning to move in the direction of cooperation development.”
Today, Iran’s police services are global, and due to the sacrifices of police forces in the fight against drug trafficking, the transit of drugs to other parts of the world, especially European countries, is prevented and the discovery of more than a thousand tons of narcotics per year is evidence to this claim, he further highlighted.
Hovhannisyan also for his part said that I bow my head in respect to all the courage and sacrifice of the Iranian police officers in the fight against drug traffickers, as evidenced by the number of martyrs who have lost their lives in this way.
The main purpose of this meeting is to develop cooperation and improve the situation in various fields, especially in dealing with and combating drug traffickers, he stated, expressing preparedness to take action in this regard.
Today, we witnessed the high capabilities of the Iranian police in various fields of science, skills, tactics, specialized equipment, and I hope that by improving police interactions between the two countries, we can benefit from the highly specialized knowledge of Iran in strengthening the Armenian police, he concluded.
Iran holds world record for narcotics confiscation
Iran holds the record for narcotics confiscation in the world, Eskandar Momeni, the director of headquarters for the fight against narcotics, said in December 2021.
However, great achievements in the field of countermeasures have been gained, and the United Nations has officially announced that 90 percent of opium, 70 percent of morphine, and 20 percent of world heroin have been discovered by Iran.
Last year, about 1,200 tons of drugs were discovered, which was the highest rate of discovery in the world,” he explained.
According to figures released by the United Nations in 2000, Afghanistan produced about 200 tons of narcotics, but in 2018, it has grown to 9,500 tons.
In other words, the production of narcotics has increased fifty times, which has doubled the need for prevention efforts, he highlighted.
Despite the conditions caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the imposition of harsh sanctions against the country, fortunately, with the efforts of anti-narcotics police in 2020, drug detection increased by 41 percent.
After the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), 3,800 were martyred, 12,000 were wounded and disabled in the fight against drug trafficking.
The UNODC has praised Iran’s efforts to fight against narcotics trafficking on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The organization also officially announced that the world’s first place in the discovery of opium, heroin, and morphine belongs to Iran.
According to UNODC, Iran remains one of the major transit routes for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to European countries and has had a leading role at the global level in drug-control campaigns.
UNODC World Drug Report 2020 estimates that in 2018, 91 percent of world opium, 48 percent of the world morphine, and 26 percent of the world heroin were seized by Iran.
FB/MG
21:33,
YEREVAN, 21 FEBRUARY, ARMENPERESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to address the people of Russia, ARMENPRESS reports, citing RIA Novosti, the spokesman for the Russian president said that Vladimir Putin will deliver a message in the coming hours.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had convened a meeting of the Security Council on Donbass. He presented the situation, noting that Russia has taken and continues to make efforts to resolve all difficult issues peacefully. At the end of the meeting, the Russian President announced that he will make a decision today on the recognition of Donetsk and Lugantsk.
YEREVAN. – Past daily of Armenia writes: As it is known, the authorities of the day have formed a parliamentary committee of inquiry studying the 44-day [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [in the fall of 2020], which started its work yesterday.
Before that, it had become known that the parliamentary opposition factions are not going to participate in the work of the committee, considering it another show organized by the authorities.
According to Past newspaper’s information, the list of those to be summoned to the inquiry committee was previously discussed and agreed with [PM] Nikol Pashinyan. Moreover, according to the information we have, he has given clear directives and instructed “not to engage in self-activity” without his knowledge.
According to the newspaper’s information, also, he has ordered to organize a discrediting campaign against the opposition factions on the topic of not participating in the work of the committee, at the same time to specifically target the more active MPs in connection with the topic.
Founders of UWC Dilijan College Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend toured the new Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) lab at UWC Dilijan on their recent visit. The facility is equipped with the state-of-the-art Samsung-developed and designed technology, including 21 computer stations, smart boards and other devices essential for the delivery of the Samsung Innovation Campus programme in Armenia.
The goal of the Samsung Innovation Campus is to contribute to the development of Armenia by equipping young people, through education, with skills that will not only improve their digital literacy, learning abilities, creativity and imagination, but also enable conditions for their future interest in pursuing Mobile Programming and spreading innovative IT technology in the country.
The initiative will focus on 14-16 year-old Armenian children. The programme is built around the delivery, over the next three years, of a combination of online sessions and in-person training for 100 children annually.
Samsung Innovation Campus will be implemented with the support of UWC Dilijan’s partner organisation – Dilijan Community Center (DCC), that would help with outreach to the local schools.
“We are delighted that the Samsung Innovation Campus programme implemented by UWC Dilijan will specifically benefit Armenian youth who will hone their IT skills to potentially contribute to the development of our country. Digital economy is vital for Armenia and we value the contribution that Samsung Electronics is making in this area,” said Ruben Vardanyan, UWC Dilijan Co-Founder.
Veronika Zonabend, UWC Dilijan Co-Founder, added: “The laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge technology and the programme provided and funded by Samsung promises to be a significant addition to the range of activities available to children in Armenia. This is another testament to the role UWC Dilijan plays in the community and in attracting innovative initiatives to Armenia.”
Welcoming the Founders to the Samsung Innovation Campus lab, Vardan Avagyan, Project Manager, said, “We look forward to opening the lab to the Armenian youth next month and will do everything to make the programme a success.”
UWC Dilijan is the first international boarding school of the UWC education model in the region. The college opened in 2014 in the Armenian town of Dilijan and currently has 220 students enrolled from more than 80 countries and 36 academic staff members from 15 countries.
Samsung Electronics operates various technology-based education programmes to nurture young talent that is capable of leading society in the future. One of these programmes is Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), which helps young people from all over the world learn about key technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), as well as preparing them and providing opportunities for them in their careers. SIC currently operates in 23 countries around the world, and approximately 160,000 students have gone through a SIC program as of 2020.
11:52, 17 February, 2022
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan said the new Sisian-Kajaran road section will be “a well-maintained, safe road in line with modern standards.”
Sanosyan said it is a massive project with rather encompassing infrastructures.
“The total length of the North-South road is approximately 560 kilometers, and this 60 kilometers are one of the key sections. Now we have an average of 50 km/h speed on the current road from Sisian to Kajaran. We will have 100 km/h speed with this new road, and the travel time will be reduced by two hours. It will be a well-maintained safe road in line with modern standards, which is very important from a strategic point of view,” Sanosyan said.
He added that the road is an entirely new road with 27 bridges. The total length of the bridges are 4,7 kilometers. There are tunnel sections with a total length of more than 12 kilometers. There will be 5 tunnels in total, with one of them being 8,6 kilometers in length.
“We will do everything so that major international companies have serious interest in this project. We will have a contractor by yearend if no obstacles happen,” he said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting that the pre-qualification tender for the Sisian-Kajaran section of the North-South road was announced on February 17.
Pashinyan said that this project is of great strategic importance. The project is worth a few hundred million dollars.
“Essentially, an investment project of this size has never been implemented in the history of independent Armenia,” Pashinyan said.
“I want to say that as a result of the latest discussions we have re-formulated the North-South project and made it a “North-South, East-West” project. We hope to implement this project with fast pace. This means that one of the branches of this road will connect Armenia with Iran, the other branch will connect Armenia with Azerbaijan, then in the future towards Nakhijevan and Turkey. We place this project in the general context. We hope we’ll have a construction company by yearend who will implement the work. Of course the east-west section of the road project isn’t done but we will realize this in the context of reaching future agreements,” Pashinyan said.
The pre-qualification phase will last 70 days.
Pashinyan added that concrete works are now underway for the construction of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway. He expressed hope that the agreements that have been reached will soon be recorded in the form of any document, and the process would take full-swing implementation already de jure.
10:50,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. A Civil Center providing 110 services opened in Armenia’s Vanadzor town.
The Center is located in the office of HayPost postal service. It will provide the locals with an opportunity to get multiple services in one place.
The Center offers services provided by the Civil Acts Registration Agency at the Ministry of Justice, the Agency of State Registry of Legal Entities, the State Revenue Committee, the Cadastre Committee, etc.
The opening of the Center was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan and representatives of other agencies.
“Imagine when a citizen has dozens of problems with the state, he/she visits just the HayPost branch, closest to his/her place of residence, and is able to solve all the problems with the state”, the Justice Minister said, adding that the citizen must understand that communication with the state is easy and comfortable.
The Minister said they plan to increase the services, raising their number to 450, in other words to gather all types of services in one office.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to gather all the services in one office. Therefore, citizens still have to visit other places for some services, such as passport department, road police, etc. And the purpose of this whole initiative is for the citizen to know only one place, one office”, Karen Andreasyan said.
Chief Executive Officer of HayPost CJSC Hayk Karapetyan said they want to establish a digital platform through which the remaining 850 offices of HayPost will be able to provide the same number of services.
Earlier similar Civil Centers have opened in Yerevan, Ijevan and Gyumri.