Author: Jagharian Tania

BAKU: OSCE MG would better be involved in humanitarian issues: expert

Jagharian Tania
Trend, Azerbaijan

Aug 17 2017
21:54

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17

By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:

It would be good if the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were more involved in humanitarian issues such as the return of Azerbaijani refugees to their native lands, while settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Elkhan Alasgarov, PhD, head of the Expert Council of the Baku International Policy and Security Network (Baku Network), told Trend.

He was commenting on the recent statements by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair from the US Richard Hoagland.

Richard Hoagland has earlier told Trend that the United States remains committed to working with the parties of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

He noted that the issues relating to the return of territories, return of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs to their lands, non-use of force, and status for Nagorno-Karabakh are all important elements of a comprehensive settlement the parties need to discuss.

“Recent statements of Hoagland are more positive in nature. In one statement he said that one of the main issues in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement is the return of Azerbaijani refugees to their lands. In principle, this is not news, as the Azerbaijani refugees are coming back to Karabakh and the return of Jojug Marjanli villagers to their lands is a vivid example of that,” said Elkhan Alasgarov.

As for the non-use of force, mentioned in the US co-chair’s statement, Alasgarov noted that this issue will certainly be very topical after the return of the refugees.

“When it comes to compromises in the conflict resolution process, it should be noted that the main compromise on the part of Azerbaijan is granting autonomy to the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan is ready to grant a high degree of autonomy,” he said.

The expert reminded that in another statement, Richard Hoagland said it would be logical to install new electronic equipment along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops and remove snipers. Alasgarov believes that these recommendations, even if realized, will not lead to a decrease in the number of incidents, because the main reason of military clashes is the conflict itself.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Inflation expected to continue growing in Armenia in 2nd H 2017 – Eurasian Development Bank

Jagharian Tania
ArmBanks, Armenia

Aug 11 2017

Inflation expected to continue growing in Armenia in 2nd H 2017 – Eurasian Development Bank
11.08.2017 16:31

YEREVAN, August 11. /ARKA/. Inflation rate is expected to continue rising in Armenia in the second half of 2017 in absence of inside and outside shocks, economists at the Eurasian Development Bank say in their quarterly macroeconomic report.

They say that the deflation influence of domestic demand will gradually be weakening as economic activity will be recovering, and this will allow inflation to come close to the lower board line of the projected brackets in 2017 and will remain on the projected level in the medium term.

The authors of the report say that the impact of the conservative fiscal policy that curbs price rise will remain in 2017, but in the medium term, likely positive impact of fiscal consolidation on confidence in the policy and inflow of investments into Armenia’s economy will lead to neutralization of the deflation effect.

Armenia has ended the year 2016 with 1.4% inflation. Deflation in the country has been recorded throughout seven months of 2016, and only in September process rose 0.1%.

According to statistical reports, inflation in Armenia was recorded at 0.5% in Jan-June 2017, compared with the same period a year before.

In June 2017, compared with June 2016, it stood at 1.1%.

In the government budget for 2017, inflation is projected at 4% (±1.5%) and GDP growth at 3.2%. M.V.-0—-

Satanovski: Armenia and Russia are not threatened by the religious war of Saudi Arabia and its allies with Iran

Jagharian Tania 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 4, 2017 Friday
Satanovski: Armenia and Russia are not threatened by the religious war
of Saudi Arabia and its allies with Iran
Yerevan 04.08.17
David Stepanyan. Religious war of Saudi Arabia and its allies with
Iran to Tehran's partners - Armenia and Russia is not threatened. Such
an opinion was expressed by ArmInfo President of the Middle East
Institute Evgeny Satanovsky.
"This war is still going on in the territory of Iraq, Syria, Yemen,
Libya, but in my opinion, its projection on the territory of Iran
itself was quite expected.I think that in the short term this
confrontation will spread to the territory of its instigator - Saudi
Arabia, Some other regional countries.According to Satanovsky's
estimates, the pressure on Iran through the Arab special services,
organizations financed by the Saudis, along the entire perimeter of
its borders is permanent, gradually covering the whole region of the
Middle East.However, the high degree of point conflicts between Iran
and Turkey playing its game will unambiguously affect Armenia in case
of escalating into a larger confrontation.
Stressing Tehran's small role in the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Satanovsky noted the closer relations of Iran with Armenia
than with Azerbaijan. The analyst, at the same time, expressed his
belief in the positive role of Iran in the development of the
economies of both Armenia and Artsakh."Against this background, Tehran
has contradictions and disagreements with Baku on a whole range of
issues, and the refusal of the ruling tops in Azerbaijan to perceive
any options for resolving the Karabakh conflict is one of such
disagreements," the analyst concluded.

Expert: Solar plants can be effective in Armenia’s Ararat plain

Jagharian Tania
News.am, Armenia

Expert: Solar plants can be effective in Armenia’s Ararat plain
20:02, 29.07.2017

YEREVAN. – Solar power plants can be effective in Ararat plain of Armenia.

Founder and director of Shtigen LLC, a company dealing with the import and assembly of solar panels, Hayk Shekyan, who takes part in the construction of a power plant for International Masis Tabak LLC, told the aforementioned to Armenian News – NEWS.am Saturday.

As compared to a mountainous area, the intensiveness of solar radiation is lower in Ararat plain, but it is still possible to get a good return from solar panels there. The Electric Networks of Armenia is, for its part, ready to receive the entire solar power generated there,” he added.

At the end of last year, a 10 mW quota of solar power stations was declared in Armenia. The companies which apply for construction licenses will receive a 42,6 mW preferential tariff without VAT, but each of them will be able to construct a plant of at least 1 mW.   

Sports: Armenian wrestling team claims 3 bronze, finishes 7th at European Cadet Championships

Jagharian Tania
Panorama, Armenia

The Armenian junior freestyle wrestling team has claimed three bronze medals at the European Cadet Wrestling Championship 2017 held in Sarajevo.

As the Armenian National Olympic Committee told Panorama.am, Armenian wrestler Genik Asatryan (50 kg) brought the first medal to the Armenian team by defeating his Azeri opponent Ramiz Hasanov 3-1 in a fight for the third place.

Arakel Movsesyan (46kg) claimed a “lightning speed” victory against his rival from Macedonia, beating him 10-0.

The third bronze was grabbed by Martin Simonyan (100 kg), who showed a huge advantage over Hamlet Nasibli, another Azerbaijani rival, defeating him 12-1.

With a total of 38 points, the Armenian junior freestyle wrestling team took the 7th place in the tournament featuring 29 countries.

Armenian state agencies send 13 requests for removal information from Google over a year

Jagharian Tania
News.am, Armenia

Armenian state agencies send 13 requests for removal information from Google over a year
15:06, 21.07.2017

Over a year Armenian state agencies have sent 13 requests for removal of information from Google product or service, says Google Transparency Report.

All requests are related to copyright and YouTube videos.

Overall, 18 requests have been sent by Armenia since 2009. The latest requests referred to copyright, but in July 2013 the reason for a request was government criticism.

As of July Russia is an absolute leader on the number of requests. The Russian state agencies have sent 13,209 requests to remove content over a year.

Armenian community of France plans to continue Artsakh recognition efforts

Jagharian Tania
Panorama, Armenia

July 14 2017

The Armenian community of France plans to continue its efforts for the international recognition of Artsakh, Murad Papazian Co-Chair of the Coordinating Council of France’s Armenian organizations and ARF Bureau member, told a news conference on Friday. 

Mr. Papazian reminded that the French city of Alfortville has signed a cooperation agreement with Berdzor town of Artsakh, which means that the French city recognizes Berdzor as an Armenian town.

“This is a very important fact. Such examples should be numerous. In case 20-50 French cities recognize equal number of Artsakh settlements as Armenian towns, it will help Artsakh to achieve international recognition,” the speaker said.

In Mr. Papazian’s words, the Artsakh issue is also a priority for the Armenian community in France.

“Serious work has been carried out in the recent years and we will continue to take more active measures aimed at gaining political sympathy for Artsakh in France and to bring together French political figures around the issue,” he noted.

Murad Papazian said that he has close ties with the official circles in France and they are well aware of Aliyev and Erdogan regimes.

“All of them realize that the ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan cannot reach far. Aliev’s regime does not enjoy popularity in France,” Mr. Papazian said.

According to the French-based Armenian politician, people in France are well aware that it is Azerbaijan that does not want to establish peace, seeking a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “One day, I believe that day is not far way, the [OSCE Minsk Group] Co-Chairing countries will take a decision over the Artsakh conflict. Such a situation starting from 1994 is unacceptable for the peoples,” he added.

Mr. Papazian said that they are getting ready for a long-term struggle, expecting the Armenian diplomacy to be the best in France in this respect.

The Valley’s Armenia: Orran Haven for Kids

Jagharian Tania
your central valley.com



By: Stefani Booroojian                        

YEREVAN, Armenia –  

   It’s an Armenian tradition.  To welcome guests with bread and salt.   A warm greeting at a place that has been welcoming Armenian children from the streets for more than 17 years.

   Armine Hovannisian and her husband Raffi who is originally from Fresno, founded Orran in 2000, They moved to Armenia from Los Angeles in the early 90’s and were shocked to see children begging and hungry on the streets. “We said, this is it, we’re going to gather the children from the streets, we’re going to give them a hot meal, and we’re going to try and help these families,”  Armine says.

   Orran started with 16 children from disadvantaged, often single parent homes.  Armine says the children are initially scared and with little self esteem.  “Slowly they learn to eat the meals because we make sure our priority is for kids to have nutritious meals.  And then some of them are not in school so we place them in school,” Armine explains.

  Orran provides tutors and sometimes financial support,  as well as after school fun.  Like a woodshop where the kids can sell their projects, keeping some money for themselves and donating some back to the center.  According to Armine, “The idea is that for the kids to learn they can earn money with hard work and not by begging on the streets.”

  Five years ago Orran bought the land for it’s own building in Yerevan, and a 2nd center in northern Armenia.  The $400,000 annual annual budget is supported by donations– including some from the central valley,  and fund raisers like a benefit soccer tournament in Armenia.   “I feel god has given us the opportunity and how fortunate we are that we are in a position to help people.  I think that’s the blessing that Raffi and I have,” Armine says.

  Happy children in a place built by gifts of love.  Providing something children don’t always have, but need.  “Orran means “haven”.  I wanted a name that meant a home.  A safe house. So “haven” was the name we chose,” says Armine.

  A haven from the challenges of the streets.  Welcoming all who who come with  open arms. 

  For more information about Orran, go to  http://www.orran.am/                                                                 

What did Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs discuss?

Jagharian Tania
news.am, Armenia

What did Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs discuss?
09:20, 12.07.2017

YEREVAN. – A meeting between Edward Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, took place Tuesday in Brussels, at the initiative and presence of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Igor Popov, Stéphane Visconti and Richard Hoagland, and which was attended by Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

During the meeting discussions were held on the modalities of advancement of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiating process, press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Nalbandian underscored the importance of stabilization of the situation on the Line of Contact, and, in this regard, emphasized the necessity to implement the agreements reached during the Vienna and St. Petersburg Summits.

The Co-Chairs asked the ministers to convey to the presidents their proposal on organizing a summit in the course of this year.

An agreement was reached to convene the next meeting between the ministers in September in New York, in the margins of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

‘Serzh Sargsyan is my military fellow, will remain my military fellow, it is an axiom, you understand?’ Sasun Mikaelyan

Jagharian Tania
Aravot, Armenia

“Yelq” bloc boycotted and did not partake in the first session of the newly formed National Assembly, during Serzh Sargsyan’s and Catholicos’ speeches until Serzh Sargsyan left. And during Yerevan City Mayor Taron Margaryan’s inauguration day Serzh Sargsyan similarly made a speech and “Yelq” decided to participate, not to boycott. If the principle was that you boycott Serzh Sargsyan’s speech, why did you do that in the Parliament and not in the Municipality? To this question, “Yelq” bloc MP Sasun Mikaelyan answered: “Was “Yelq” present in the Municipality? I am not informed. Well, the Parliament is a little bit another tribune.”

Asked whether he neglects the case of the Municipality, Sasun Mikaelyan replied: “No, I do not neglect, but we have expressed our viewpoint from this common high tribune. I have told then as well, that this has somehow been a step of a discontent. I personally, would have not participated, forasmuch as we have seen in these years…”

Asked why he would have not participated, whether he disliked Serzh Sargsyan that much, Sasun Mikaelyan replied: “Serzh Sargsyan is my military fellow, will remain, my military fellow, it is an axiom, you understand? Another path we have passed together. But it does not mean that from the political standpoint, we should not do that, leave the principles.”

 

Hripsime JEBEJYAN