Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Constitution is a mindset, a work culture, a system of values and morality – Armenian President

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia
July 5 2020

<img width=”800″ height=”630″ src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/xArmen-Sarkissian-11.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Y5AJc96fi2.jpg” class=”attachment-full size-full wp-post-image” alt=”” srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/xArmen-Sarkissian-11.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Y5AJc96fi2.jpg 800w, 300w, 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px”/>

Constitution is not only the right and responsibility but also a mindset, a work culture, a system of values, and morality, President Armen Sarkissian said in an address on the occasion of Constitution Day.

The full text of the address is provided below:

Dear Compatriots,

Distinguished Citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

Today is the Constitution Day, and we also celebrate the State Symbols Day.

We have common state symbols – the state flag, coat of arms, anthem, and one unified Constitution – the Main Law of the land.

History is not only a good teacher but also an undeliberate inspirer. It constantly reminds and prompts us to keep in mind that to achieve success as a society and as a state, we need to work hand in hand, build our country together,

that first and foremost we have common state and national interests, and only after that come personal or private interests,

that the individual is the greatest asset,

and that the Constitution is not only the right and responsibility but also a mindset, a work culture, a system of values, and philosophy.

When over 200 years ago, the Shahamirians created the “Snare of Glory,” we didn’t have statehood yet, but they wrote is as a constitution for the future Armenia, hoping in their hearts that the time would come, the time of the Armenian statehood, statehood void of the snares of glory.

Dear Compatriots,

We need to exercise the utmost efforts and responsibility, discipline and vigilance to overcome challenges with dignity and move forward. We have to be more alert, united, and proactive to have a stable and developed country and to pass it to future generations; we need to have a strong state, a tolerant and unified society, unblemished state symbols – the flag, coat of arms, anthem, and unity based on the Constitution.

I congratulate us all and wish peace, prosperity, and optimism.

God bless our Fatherland and us all.

Sports: Football rocked with 45 LIFETIME bans slapped on Armenian owners and players over outrageous match-fixing scandal

Kalantarian Kevo
The Sun, UK
July 5 2020
SCANDAL

  • Alan Scott
  • 4 Jul 2020, 13:58
  • Updated: 4 Jul 2020, 14:07

FOOTBALL chiefs in Armenia have suspended their second tier and handed out 45 lifetime bans for huge scale match-fixing.

The scandal has brought down professional football in the former Soviet country.

Suspicious results flagged up by the FFA included 12-0, 0-12, 1-8 and 9-2 for Lokomotiv Yerevan.

About 45 people, including club owners, players and coaches, have been slapped with life bans.

Another 13 were banned for different periods for being involved in manipulation of matches, the FFA said.

Club owners with Russian passports, Russian players and coaches, as well as Ukrainian, Latvian and Belarusian footballers were among those banned, local newspapers in Armenia claim.

Following some crazy results, Lokomotiv Yerevan, level on points with second division leaders FC Van, as well as Aragats, Torpedo Yerevan and Masis were disqualified from the championship.

Locomotiv’s strangest result saw them lose 12-0 after winning 12-0. They also won 9-2 and 8-2 but lost 0-7, 0-8 and 1-8.

FC Yerevan were also disqualified for match-fixing.

But they had withdrawn from the 2019-20 Premier League in February due to financial and technical problems.

FFA President Armen Melikbekyan said: “The decisions were made after the FFA received undeniable evidence from international organisations and law enforcement agencies.

“The evidence that we received from our international colleagues will be transferred to the Armenian law enforcement agencies.”

Melikbekyan had vowed transparent FFA leadership after his election victory in December – and both Fifa and Uefa had welcomed his appointment to try and clean up the scandal.



Sports: Erik Bazinyan: I Want To Become Armenia’s Next Great Champion

Kalantarian Kevo
Boxing Scene
July 4 2020
By Manouk Akopyan

Published On Sat Jul 4, 2020, 06:25 AM EST

Multiple weight world champions Arthur Abraham and Vic Darchinyan are Armenia’s most decorated professional boxers of all time, and the closest the country has come to producing Hall of Fame-caliber fighters.

The quadragenerians, however, are no longer actively fighting, and the torch has been passed to a select few fighters who have the makings of becoming the country’s next champion.

Twenty-five-year-old Armenian-bred super middleweight Erik Bazinyan (25-0, 19 KOs) is ready for the opportunity.

The Montreal-based Bazinyan brings a decorated amateur background into the ring with a 109-1 record. Bazinyan and his family left Yerevan and moved to Quebec in 2011 when the fighter was 16-years-old, and he is now promoted by Golden Boy, Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger Management and is trained by the well-regarded coach Marc Ramsey.

“I’m sure I will be the next great Armenian fighter,” Bazinyan told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, I’m going to do everything to become the country’s next champion. I have a great Armenian fan base. They support me and are very proud of me. I’m not going to let them down.”

Last December, after cruising to a crushing KO over Saul Roman, Bazinyan moved to be the No. 1 contender to Billy Joe Saunders’ 168-pound title. Now, he is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBO and No. 15 by the IBF and is ready to make himself a serious threat in the division.

“At my age, I am in my prime. It starts now. I had a good statement-win in my last fight. I have enough experience for a big-time fight. I am ready for a step-up fight,” said Bazinyan.

“I like to remain humble and not really talk about myself. If I were to describe my style, I’m a smart and technical fighter, but I can do everything. I have a great jab and boxing IQ. I do everything possible to win. I can brawl. I can box. I have good power. I concentrate on being an accomplished fighter. That’s what you have to do to be great in boxing and to make history. I try to do my best.”

Bazinyan said the plan was for him to be showcased on the May 2 undercard of the Canelo Alvarez versus Saunders fight in Las Vegas, an event that was scheduled yet never officially announced due to the global pandemic caused by Covid-19.

Now, Bazinyan plans to make his return in September in the United States during one of Golden Boy’s shows. Bazinyan said he is not one to call out names, but he said he’ll grow into that demeanor the day he becomes a champion.

“I leave it to my team to choose my opponents and manage my career. I trust them. I’m ready to fight anyone in the top 10,” he said.

In the meantime, Bazinyan is gaining championship-caliber confidence through his training mates. He is surrounded by top-tier talent including Ramsey fighters in fellow Armenian David Lemieux as well as Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez and Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Bazinyan has even served as a sparring partner and received heavy leather from the unified light heavyweight champion Beterbiev.

“I know what it feels like to get hit in the ring. If my opponents hit like a rock, now I won’t stress or panic because I’ve felt it before,” Bazinyan said.

Bazinyan has also crossed over to the MMA side and even sparred boxing with fellow Armenian middleweight and undefeated UFC touted prospect Edmen Shahbazyan at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Each of them is now looking to be the country’s flag bearer in their respective sports.

Bazinyan joins a group of active up-and-coming Armenian fighters like Azat Hovhannisyan, Gor Yeritsyan, Narek Abgaryan, Aram Amirkhanyan — all of whom are trained by Freddie Roach  — as well as Zhora Hamazaryan and Ferdinand Kerobyan for a shot one day at a world title.

WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian and WBA flyweight titlist Artem Dalakian are the only active Armenian crownholders produced from the country.

Could Bazinyan be next?

“I looked up to Darchinyan and Abraham, and they helped me a lot. They were national heroes for the Armenian people. We were very proud of them. They gave me the motivation to be like them,” said Bazinyan. “I want to make history and become a champion, and stay champion for a long time.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the LA Times, Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at].

Sky Gyumri: Air tram project in Armenia’s second largest city

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia

<img width=”840″ height=”579″ src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Air-tram-2.jpg.pagespeed.ce.zZpH6Nh2rV.jpg” class=”attachment-full size-full wp-post-image” alt=”” srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Air-tram-2.jpg.pagespeed.ce.zZpH6Nh2rV.jpg 840w, 300w, 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px”/>

Armon company suggests launching an air tram in Gyumri as part of a $500,000 development plan for Armenia’s second largest city.

The project of a 25km-long tramway has been developed by Khachatur Sargsyan, a native of Gyumi, who has long been doing business in Africa.

The businessman is planning a similar project in Africa, but cannot leave because of the pandemic. He has persuaded investors to invest part of the funds in Armenia.

Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia, Sargsyan said “what the world lakcs today is a good idea.”

“Investors will never come and ask you “where shall I invest? To atract investors, it’s necessary to have an idea and prove to the investor that he will get the money back,” the businessman said.

With a speed of up to 500 kmh and 6-10 meters above the ground, the air transport will connect 15 stations 50 m to 2 km away from each other.

Besides the tramway, the development plan envisages an eco-district for about 2,000 residents with all infrastrctures.

The project will be presented to public on July 2.

Armenian healthcare minister runs over 10-year-old child in Yerevan

Kalantarian Kevo

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 14:23,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian healthcare minister Arsen Torosyan informed on Facebook today that he had run over a 10-year-old child in Yerevan.

Torosyan said he immediately took the child to a hospital, all examinations have been carried. The child suffered a small injury in the right hand, his life in not under danger. “He will be under care of doctors for a certain time and will then go home”, the minister said.

The minister said the Police were immediately informed about the incident for preparing materials.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenia and Russia do not agree on the loan for the modernization of nuclear power plants

Kalantarian Kevo
The Times Hub, India

By Natasha Kumaron

YEREVAN (Reuters) – Armenia and Russia failed to agree on the terms of new credit necessary to Finance modernization of NPP in the South Caucasus Republic, said on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Metsamorskaya nuclear power station, which is located 25 kilometers from Yerevan and belongs to the state, provides about 40% electricity of the country.

The modernization began in 2015, when the leadership of the NPP and the Russian company Rosatom signed an agreement on the provision of credit totaling $300 million, of which $30 million was a grant.

In five years, Armenia has used about $200 million and asked the Russian Federation to provide the remainder of the loan amount, but Rosatom has put forward new conditions that Yerevan did not agree.

“We will get the funds from their own sources, which, of course, will be provided on the best conditions,” said Pashinyan at the session of the government.

According to him, the government intends to issue bonds in the amount of 63 billion drams ($130 million) in the domestic market.

The government document, which is available to Reuters, stated that Rosatom offered to use 80% of the amount of the new loan for the purchase of equipment and services exclusively in Russia.

The Russian company also wanted to obtain a Commission for the part not used in this year’s loan and had offered Armenia to pay $19.5 million for the management of the Rosatom nuclear power plant.

(Nvard Hovhannisyan. Text Margarita Antidze; editor Anton Kolodyazhny)

Artsakh’s President tasks to tighten anti-coronavirus measures

Kalantarian Kevo

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 21:32,

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, ARMENPRESS. Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan convened an enlarged working consultation on June 11 dedicated to the tightening of measures aimed at combating the novel coronavirus, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Artsakh President’s Office.

Minister of State, Commandant of the republic Grigory Martirosyan, acting healthcare minister Arayik Baghryan, National Assembly deputies, Mayor of Stepanakert David Sargsyan, heads of regional administrations and other officials attended the consultation.
The acting healthcare minister delivered a report on the situation. According to Arayik Baghryan, the intensity of the spread of the virus in the country has increased in recent days.

Commandant Grigory Martirosyan, MPS, heads of concerned bodies delivered speeches.

The Head of the State instructed to further tighten the applied procedures demanding to be consistent in the implementation of the adopted decisions. The President also instructed to set up a professional group with the participation of healthcare officials, which will be directly involved in the fight against the pandemic.

Armenia Special Investigation Service leaves questions unanswered again

Kalantarian Kevo
News.am, Armenia
June 9 2020

23:09, 09.06.2020

Nobody can assign the head of the Special Investigation Service to arrest former director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan. This is what Head of the Special Investigation Service of Armenia Sasun Khachatryan told reporters, after which he failed to answer most questions from reporters.

When asked if Artur Vanetsyan had provided significant information when he was interviewed at the Special Investigation Service recently, Khachatryan said it would be better, if he didn’t answer that question.

Asked if the Special Investigation Service has interviewed other people associated with the statements made by former Ambassador of Armenia to the Vatican Mikael Minasyan, Khachatryan said he didn’t think it was necessary to answer the question since investigation is underway.

As far as the inquest into the case regarding the events of March 1, 2008 is concerned, Khachatryan said investigation is underway.

Asked if the authorities are preparing to appoint him to a new position, Khachatryan told reporters to ask those who disseminate that information.

When asked if his father, who is a judge, had really acquitted leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan, Khachatryan said the question was political and personal and said he didn’t want to answer the question.

Armenia will record 2.8% GDP decline in 2020, 4.9% rise next year – WB

Kalantarian Kevo

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 20:41, 8 June, 2020

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. According to the predictions of the World Bank, the GDP of Armenia in 2020 will decline by 2.8% and will rise by 4.9% in 2021. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Yerevan office of the World Bank, the data is published in the June report of the Bank called ”Global Economic Prospects”.

The WB experts noted that the global economy will decline by 5.2%, which wll be the greatest recession the world has seen since WWII.

 Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Lenders in Armenia obliged to inform borrowers on actual interest rate

Kalantarian Kevo
Armbanks, Armenia
June 3 2020

03.06.2020 22:47

YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. Armenia’s National Assembly on Wednesday approved in the second and final reading a package of amendments to the Law On Consumer Lending.

According to them, the lender must confirm in writing the actual interest rate of the loan provided to an individual. According to the authors of the amendments, this will serve as an additional warning for people to review their credit behavior.

This rule will apply also to loans considered and provided online. In this case the amendments provide for a loan freeze period during which the borrower will receive a message regarding the actual rate in order to rethink his further steps.
In addition, the amendments suggest that when obtaining loans in the amount of 300 thousand drams and more with a maturity of less than three months, credit organizations will have to look into the borrower’s solvency.

The amended law will enter into force on January 1, 2021 ($ 1,448.49 dram). -0-