Author: Khondkarian Raffi

Germany’s ruling party accuses Armenia of occupying Azerbaijani territories

Khondkarian Raffi
Vestnik Kavkaza
19 Mar in 11:20

A symposium titled ‘Stability and Security in the South Caucasus: Prospects for the German-Azerbaijani Partnership’, timed to the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, was held in Berlin yesterday. The event was organized by the German-Azerbaijani Forum, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany and the German Atlantic Society with the support of SOCAR.

According to the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, one of the participants of the event, the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU faction in the Bundestag, Johann Wadephul, stressed that Azerbaijan is Germany’s most important trading partner in the South Caucasus. “The level of German-Azerbaijani relations is high. We appreciate Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in matters of energy supply and energy diversification –  that’s already a lot, but, in my opinion, our relations can be further enhanced, beyond trade and energy. Speaking of bilateral economic relations between the EU (in this regard – Germany) and Azerbaijan, I want to note that their potential is far from being exhausted,” he said in the first place.

“We warmly welcome the initiative of the Azerbaijani government to diversify the economy, particularly in the areas of agriculture, transport and tourism. In this context, it is also important that conditions for European companies’ activities in Azerbaijan are improving. It is pleasant that European companies operating in Azerbaijan report improvements in the work of the customs authorities, the provision of public services and economic prospects in the republic in general. The elimination of monopolies, a successful fight against corruption and legal security will open up even greater prospects and new opportunities for economic cooperation between Europe and Azerbaijan,” Johann Wadephul said, welcoming the recent positive trends in human rights protection and development of civil society in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU faction drew attention to the need to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to ensure a stable future for both Azerbaijan and the entire South Caucasus as a whole. “This conflict continues to pose the greatest threat to the stability and security of the region. It concerns not only the region’s population, but also European energy interests, which will only increase in the future. One thing is clear: the territory of Azerbaijan is illegally occupied by Armenia. The conflict can be settled through negotiations on the basis of compromises. As far as we, the Germans, have a clear position in the conflict under international law, it is just as important for us that compromises be found,” the German politician stressed.

“We welcome the fact that the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia last September agreed to continue the negotiation process and take steps to reduce tensions on the front line. It is also important that both sides expressed the need to prepare their peoples for peace. It is a useful activity supporting the efforts to overcome serious differences and contradictions in solving the conflict,” Johann Wadephul concluded.

The symposium was also attended by head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, chairman of the German-Azerbaijani Forum Hanns Eberhard Schleyer, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Ramin Hasanov, director for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Germany Michael Seibert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Thomas Bareiß, spokesman of the Social Democratic Party bloc for Foreign Affairs in the Bundestag Nils Schmid, Publicist Richard Kessler and Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan in Stuttgart Otto Hauser.

Moscow State University is a close educational institution for me. president

Khondkarian Raffi
  • 19.03.2019

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  • Armenia:

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  • arm

4
 70

Today, President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian hosted Elena Vardanova, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism of Mikhail Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Sergey Kopirkin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia.


President Sargsyan said that Moscow State University is a close educational center for him, where he had and has many colleagues and friends. The president noted that during his scientific and teaching activities, he had many working contacts and mutual visits with his university colleagues.


Armen Sarkissian highlighted the presence of one of the world’s prestigious educational institutions, Moscow State University, in Armenia and considered it necessary to expand the activities of the Yerevan branch, the implementation of joint programs in the field of science and education, and the strengthening of ties.


Presenting the purpose of the visit, Elena Vardanova said that she gave several public lectures related to the field of journalism at the Yerevan branch of the Moscow State University.


The interlocutors exchanged ideas on the future of journalism, challenges in the era of digital technologies, reliable and professional journalism, raising the level of journalism teaching.

Armenpress: Armenia suggests reforming Refugee Convention

Khondkarian Raffi

Armenia suggests reforming Refugee Convention

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09:40,

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Bureau for Europe invited the first high level Conference of the Asylum Systems Quality Initiative in the Eastern Europe and South Caucuses (QIEE), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Government of Armenia have been actively engaged in QIEE since 2013. Over these years, the project led to substantial achievements in the quality of asylum procedures in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Moldova. UNHCR stands ready to continue to support the governments on working towards solutions to challenges in this sphere. During the conference, Armen Ghazaryan talked about the defense of the national security in the context of not violating the refugee defense system. Particularly, the head of the Migration Service highlighted that in this field it is of infrequent importance to apply not only the legal approach but also the political one.

“I want to highlight the characteristics of the national security and also mention that we continue the cooperation with the National Security Service trying to balance the national security and the defense of the refugees,” mentioned Armen Ghazaryan. The head of the Migration Service indicated that there are problems in this field, such as the refugee institute is used to avoid the punishment of the committed crime. “This institute is also used for the purposes of desertion and terrorism. The special territorial and political situation of the Republic of Armenia assumes serious challenges in this regard,” mentioned Armen Ghazaryan. During the conference it was suggested to create united information platform and an effective institute, which will balance the solutions to those problems. In his speech the head of the Migration Service of Armenia indicated that the Refugee Convention was adopted in 1951 and the time has come to make some reforms according to the modern challenges.

“We should aim not to let the defense of the refugees be exploited and transformed to the “trade for shelter”. We should refresh the Convention, so that it considers the current dangerous risks in the world,” concluded his speech Armen Ghazaryan. The conference was followed by a working lunch with participation of Volkan Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on international defense affairs.




In Yerevan Scholars from Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

Khondkarian Raffi

Scholars from Armenia,
Austria, Iran, Russia and
Sweden Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

, Yerevan, Armenia- leading
scholars from Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden were invited by the “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic Research,
foundation to introduce their research on Iran’s role in the changing world
order and Iran-Armenia relations. The key note speaker of this academic seminar
was Univ.- Prof. Dr. Heinz Gärtner (International Institute for Peace and
University of Vienna, Chair of the Advisory Committee
for Strategy and Security Policy of the Scientific Commission at the Austrian
Armed Forces). Among speakers were Dr. Mher Sahakyan (China-Eurasia Council for
Political and Strategic Research, Armenia), Asst. Prof.-Dr. Hamidreza
Azizi,  (Shahid Beheshti
University, Iran, Research Fellow, Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies), Assoc.
Prof.-Dr. Gohar Iskandaryan (Leading Specialist, Institute of Oriental Studies
National Academy of Sciences, Armenia), Adlan Margoev, (“Russia and
Nuclear Nonproliferation” Program Director at PIR Center, PhD Candidate at
MGIMO University), Vazgen Petrosyan (Advisory Board Member, “China-Eurasia”
Council for Political and Strategic Research), Nairi Hokhikyan (Director, Diplomatic
Foundation of Armenia) and Arvin Khoshnood (Lund University, Sweden).
Scholars and researchers discussed the future of the JCPOA, Russia’s input in
the JCPOA negotiations and concerns over the future of the agreement, China’s
policy on Iranian nuclear issue in the UNSC, Iran-Armenia Relations
after  the “Velvet” revolution, Iran-US
relations, prospects of Iran-Armenia railway project, the influence of the
internal situation of Iran on foreign trade, the prospects for Iran’s
membership in EAEU and Its Implications for Tehran-Yerevan Relations and other
questions.

2019 March 12 “China-Eurasia”
On the initiative of the political and strategic council, “Iran and changing” was held
world order” seminar, during which they gave a speechScientific Commission of the Austrian Armed Forces
Chairman of the Strategic and Security Policy Advisory Committee,
Advisor to the International Peace Institute, professor at the University of Vienna, ք․գ․դ․ Heinz Gjartner, “China-Eurasia” Political and Strategic
Head of Research Council, Chinese Studies Association of Great Britain
member, c.g. Mher Sahakyan, docent from Shahid Beheshti University of Iran,
Hamidreza Aziz, leading researcher of the Institute of Oriental Studies, associate professor, Ph.D. Gohar Iskandaryan, PIR of Russia
Adlan Margoev, Director of the Center “Russia and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Program”,
China-Eurasia Political and Strategic Research Council
Vazgen Petrosyan, a member of the Board of Trustees, a researcher at Lund University in Sweden
Arvin Khoshnud and the director of “Diplomatic Foundation of Armenia” Nairi Khokhikyan։During the seminar, the prospects of Iran’s accession to EAEU and its prospects were discussed
applicability in Tehran-Yerevan relations, which took place in Armenia
The “velvet revolution” and the vision of Armenian-Iranian relations, Actions
the future of the joint comprehensive program, China’s role in the Iran nuclear issue,
Russia’s contribution to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
in negotiations and concerns about its future, US-Iran
relations 40 years after the revolution, Iran-Armenia railway project
prospects, the negative impact of the domestic political situation in Iran
on foreign trade of the country and other issues. During the seminar, an active discussion took place
discussion and exchange of opinions.“China-Eurasia”
Head of the Political and Strategic Research Council, Mher Sahakyan
stated that it is necessaryscience
to make available to the society, and the results of the researches to be practical,
from which the state, science, and society will benefit. And?
China-Eurasia Political and Strategic Research Council, too
ready using connections with foreign scientific centers:
To organize similar discussions in Armenia in the future. He thanked Armenians and foreigners
colleagues who expressed their willingness in this difficult situation
rethink Iran’s role in the changing world order and try to find an Armenian one as well
the interest.

 

Scholars from Armenia,
Austria, Iran, Russia and
Sweden Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

, Yerevan, Armenia- leading
scholars from Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden were invited by the “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic Research,
foundation to introduce their research on Iran’s role in the changing world
order and Iran-Armenia relations. The key note speaker of this academic seminar
was Univ.- Prof. Dr. Heinz Gärtner (International Institute for Peace and
University of Vienna, Chair of the Advisory Committee
for Strategy and Security Policy of the Scientific Commission at the Austrian
Armed Forces). Among speakers were Dr. Mher Sahakyan (China-Eurasia Council for
Political and Strategic Research, Armenia), Asst. Prof.-Dr. Hamidreza
Azizi,  (Shahid Beheshti
University, Iran, Research Fellow, Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies), Assoc.
Prof.-Dr. Gohar Iskandaryan (Leading Specialist, Institute of Oriental Studies
National Academy of Sciences, Armenia), Adlan Margoev, (“Russia and
Nuclear Nonproliferation” Program Director at PIR Center, PhD Candidate at
MGIMO University), Vazgen Petrosyan (Advisory Board Member, “China-Eurasia”
Council for Political and Strategic Research), Nairi Hokhikyan (Director, Diplomatic
Foundation of Armenia) and Arvin Khoshnood (Lund University, Sweden).
Scholars and researchers discussed the future of the JCPOA, Russia’s input in
the JCPOA negotiations and concerns over the future of the agreement, China’s
policy on Iranian nuclear issue in the UNSC, Iran-Armenia Relations
after  the “Velvet” revolution, Iran-US
relations, prospects of Iran-Armenia railway project, the influence of the
internal situation of Iran on foreign trade, the prospects for Iran’s
membership in EAEU and Its Implications for Tehran-Yerevan Relations and other
questions.

2019 March 12 “China-Eurasia”
On the initiative of the political and strategic council, “Iran and changing” was held
world order” seminar, during which they gave a speechScientific Commission of the Austrian Armed Forces
Chairman of the Strategic and Security Policy Advisory Committee,
Advisor to the International Peace Institute, professor at the University of Vienna, ք․գ․դ․ Heinz Gjartner, “China-Eurasia” Political and Strategic
Head of Research Council, Chinese Studies Association of Great Britain
member, c.g. Mher Sahakyan, docent from Shahid Beheshti University of Iran,
Hamidreza Aziz, leading researcher of the Institute of Oriental Studies, associate professor, Ph.D. Gohar Iskandaryan, PIR of Russia
Adlan Margoev, Director of the Center “Russia and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Program”,
China-Eurasia Political and Strategic Research Council
Vazgen Petrosyan, a member of the Board of Trustees, a researcher at Lund University in Sweden
Arvin Khoshnud and the director of “Diplomatic Foundation of Armenia” Nairi Khokhikyan։During the seminar, the prospects of Iran’s accession to EAEU and its prospects were discussed
applicability in Tehran-Yerevan relations, which took place in Armenia
The “velvet revolution” and the vision of Armenian-Iranian relations, Actions
the future of the joint comprehensive program, China’s role in the Iran nuclear issue,
Russia’s contribution to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
in negotiations and concerns about its future, US-Iran
relations 40 years after the revolution, Iran-Armenia railway project
prospects, the negative impact of the domestic political situation in Iran
on foreign trade of the country and other issues. During the seminar, an active discussion took place
discussion and exchange of opinions.“China-Eurasia”
Head of the Political and Strategic Research Council, Mher Sahakyan
stated that it is necessaryscience
to make available to the society, and the results of the researches to be practical,
from which the state, science, and society will benefit. And?
China-Eurasia Political and Strategic Research Council, too
ready using connections with foreign scientific centers:
To organize similar discussions in Armenia in the future. He thanked Armenians and foreigners
colleagues who expressed their willingness in this difficult situation
rethink Iran’s role in the changing world order and try to find an Armenian one as well
the interest.

 



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Armenia presented a road map to the EU about 13 projects. the parties have agreed

Khondkarian Raffi
  • 06.03.2019

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  • Armenia:

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  • arm

1
 16

European Union Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn is of the opinion that support programs for Armenia should be different and implemented in parallel.


Han announced this on March 5 in Brussels, at a joint press conference with RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who were there on a working visit.


To the journalist’s question that the second phase of the revolution in Armenia has begun, the economic revolution, and what are the edges of cooperation the commissioner sees with Armenia, taking into account the principle of “more for more”, Yohannes Hahn answered: “We are now together, with our team, considering which are the most urgent programs, but there must be different programs, we cannot just do one thing and ignore the others, we have to carry it out in parallel together.”


Citing Nikol Pashinyan, the commissioner detailed that Armenia presented a road map with 13 specific programs a week ago, and the parties agreed that great attention should be paid to economic development, that is, support to the business sector. According to Han, this goal is served by one of the already created results, within the framework of which Armenian banks can provide loans to small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-companies in local currency with European financial means, in order to eliminate exchange rate risks.


The Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Union believes that, in addition to economic support, Armenia needs to be provided with infrastructure development support. “That is why connectivity is very important in our agenda, which requires investments in the development of roads and railways. And it also requires functioning electrical grids, power transmission, export,” explained Johannes Hahn, adding that Energy efficiency is another issue that creates many jobs not so much in industry as in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Pashinyan, Rouhani discussed entire Armenia-Iran agenda

Khondkarian Raffi

Pashinyan, Rouhani discussed entire Armenia-Iran agenda

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19:32,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who is on an official visit in Iran, met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, ARMENPRESS reports the PM wrote on his Facebook page.

“I discussed the entire Armenia-Iran agenda with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani in Tehran and we reached important agreements”, the PM wrote.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Opening Armenian trading house in Turkmenistan under consideration

Khondkarian Raffi

Opening Armenian trading house in Turkmenistan under consideration

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09:35,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Turkmenistan are preparing for the 9th session of intergovernmental economic commission due in mid-2019 in Ashgabat.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Garnik Badalyan held a meeting on February 21 with the country’s finance and economy minister Batyr Bazarow to discuss related issues, the foreign ministry said in a read-out of the meeting.

The sides discussed the circle of issues that will be included in the financial-economic part of the session. They also discussed the possibility of opening an Armenian trading house in Turkmenistan, prospects of involving Armenian capital companies in the Turkmen market and other issues concerning bilateral economic relations.

The Armenian ambassador and the Turkmen minister attached importance to increasing trade turnover volumes and boosting economic ties. They agreed to continue sectoral cooperation.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Dukhov, Mr. Marukyan. Araik Harutyunyan reminded Edmon Marukyan of the recent past

Khondkarian Raffi
  • 14.02.2019

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  • Armenia:

    •  

  • arm

1
 69

A while ago, I had deja vu while listening to a speech in the National Assembly. I immediately remembered this, and again I wondered if we were right that we did not give generous and strict evaluations to that behavior and supported them and their teammates, the defeated ones. But we were right, generosity is one of our virtues. Minister of Internal Affairs Araik Harutyunyan wrote about this on his Facebook page.


“H.G. About agrarian. Mr. Marukyan is falsifying in his characteristic style, because I got to know Urutyan days before he was elected rector by the council, and I talked with him for about an hour, an hour and a half at the most. And Urutyan is one of the best specialists in Armenia, and Agrarayin has today received the reputation of one of the most advanced and developing universities due to his choice. And calling the reformer rector a corrupt person speaks of the fact that you don’t need changes, you need imitation to swim.


Dukhov, Mr. Marukyan, although you were shocked by this word during the Revolution, and in the last days you only started chanting it, fearing to be finally pushed out of the political field. I am writing here because according to the regulations, ministers are not given the opportunity to speak in the National Assembly,” wrote Harutyunyan, and in the same post published Edmon Marukyan’s speech during the days of the Tavsha revolution, when he spoke about the existence of the “third way”.

Pay taxes. Pope King used to do the same, they said he was a traitor. Pashinyan

Khondkarian Raffi
  • 14.02.2019

    •  

  • Armenia:

    •  

  • arm

1
 60

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan compared his administration period with the administration period of the Pope, noting that everyone has to pay taxes.


I consider myself a person of deep faith. Today, on February 14, the RA Prime Minister mentioned this in his concluding speech during the discussion of the government’s program in the National Assembly Nikol Pashinyan:


“I consider myself a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a faithful follower at that. But now I think that in the historical context now are the same times as during the time of the King Pope. What he was saying was you have to pay taxes. He said: if you have taken all our men and women and filled the monasteries and nunneries, then who should work for the economy of our country? Who should be the soldier of our country’s army? They said: you are a traitor, you are anti-national. We also say, dear people, you have to pay taxes, they are upset,” declared Pashinyan.


He emphasized that yes, emergency buildings will not be built until there is a cash register. “I mean, does anyone think, is there going to be prosperity without the confirmation of legality? Or do they still want the super-prime ministerial system, so they say, oh, the deputy said the building is in emergency, Poghosik should solve these issues quickly, you know, half of them should join the party, a list in the elections. Is that the system you want?


Today, there are 55 emergency buildings of the 4th class in Armenia, and people live in all of them, and 15 billion drams are needed for this. 30 billion drams are needed to increase pensions by 5 thousand drams. I say yes, whoever doesn’t hit the cash register, both the citizen and the shop worker, lowers the combat effectiveness of our army. At one time they said that the government is a robber, now we say that I personally have no personal goals in this matter.

Armenpress: Jailed retired general slapped with new charges, son declared wanted

Khondkarian Raffi

Jailed retired general slapped with new charges, son declared wanted

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12:06, 14 February, 2019

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Authorities have brought new criminal charges against jailed general, former lawmaker Manvel Grigoryan.

New charges include extortion and tax evasion.

He was initially charged only with illegal possession of firearms and grand theft.

The Special Investigative Service says Grigoryan, together with his wife and son, have illegally acquired massive amounts of firearms and explosives and kept it in various locations, including his private home, as well as a territory owned by the defense ministry of Artsakh.

Authorities have found multiple weapons, handguns, rifles, machine guns, around 20,000 rounds of ammunition, explosives, RPG etc.

The abovementioned firearms were discovered and confiscated earlier in June of 2018 when the general was detained.

In addition, authorities suspect Grigoryan to have committed grand theft of more than 100,000,000 drams worth of property when he served as president of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers. His wife and son assisted him in committing the crime, authorities said.

Embezzled property includes various supplies for the military provided by the Armenian and Artsakh defense ministries that were meant for soldiers, including during the 2016 April War days.

Authorities said Grigoryan even used the military food supplies to feed wild animals that he kept in his private zoo.

More than 4300 cans of bottled meat, made for the military, worth around 4,5 million drams in total, were found in his compound. Numerous other food supplies for the army were embezzled by Grigoryan. Grigoryan also embezzled trucks that were designed for the military – a total of eight UAZ vehicles.

The Special Investigative Service said Grigoryan has been involved in tax evasion from his early years of being in office (Deputy Minister of Defense, Member of Parliament, Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers President). He is suspected of tax evasion of more than 1,2 billion drams through a company owned by him and his family.

Grigoryan is also suspected in evading taxes and falsifying financial documents of the Yerkrapah Union.

He also misused more than 1,2 billion drams provided by the education ministry and the defense ministry to the union.

He is also suspected in extortion and racketeering committed in the early 2000s in his hometown of Etchmiatsin. During those days, when he was Deputy Defense Minister, he allegedly extorted a local businessman of a business worth nearly 40,000,000 drams by threatening the latter and his family.

Arman Grigoryan, one of the sons of the general, has been declared wanted.

The preliminary investigation is concluded pending forwarding to court, authorities said.

Grigoryan, a former Member of Parliament, was stripped of immunity by parliament in June 2018 and placed under arrest in suspicion of illegal possession of firearms and grand theft.

At the time of his arrest Grigoryan also served as president of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers, but was later ousted by the board of the organization amid highly scandalous accusations.

Law enforcement agencies found a private zoo, a car collection, huge amounts of weapons and ammunition, as well as allegedly embezzled military supplies and donations in his compound. Grigoryan, however, denies any wrongdoing. 

He was released from custody on a 25,000,000 dram bail on December 21, 2018. His release sparked outrage in his hometown of Etchmiatsin.

Later in January he was placed under arrest again following a court decision.

His wife is also charged. 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan