Author: Lilit Nahapetian

Armen Sarkissian and Ara Babloyan meet

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 15:49 | August 28,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:

On August 28, Armenia’s President Armen Sarkissian and Speaker of the Parliament Ara Babloyan had a meeting.

Speaker Babloyan came up with the proposal to meet earlier with the statement made on the country’s domestic political situation.

Ara Babloyan informed the President that during yesterday’s meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan they stated that all steps aimed at solving the issues should be in accordance with democratic standards and in an atmosphere of political dialogue, negotiations and discussions.

President Armen Sarkissian highlighted the importance of the Constitution and reaffirmed his stance according to which the issues are solved at best through dialogue and talks, and the sides respect the agreements reached during these talks by consistently taking actions directed for these agreements, learning lessons and recording success.

A1+: Bucharest-Yerevan regular flights to be operated

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 16:05 | August 27,2018 | Politics
  • Armenian:

The talks between the Armenia International Airports CJSC and Romanian Tarom airline have been completed.

The two sides signed an agreement according to which the Tarom airline will carry out Bucharest-Yerevan regular flights starting from September 5.

As ARMENPRESS noted Bucharest’s geographical position is very convenient for transit flights in main European destinations.

Students’ Offer: Bicycles instead of cars (video)

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 20:34 | August 27,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:

Before the start of the academic year, students have their own proposal for the fight against September-traffic jams: going to class on bicycles. “Restart” Student-Civic Initiative announced the start of the bike ride today.

The students suggest that instead of heavy and challenging cars, people can drive light bicycles, which will also solve the problem of being late from the classes.

An experienced cyclist Gayane Alexanyan remembers a rumor that Yerevan is not a city to drive a bicycle.

“They often treat bad cyclists badly, they think cyclists are disturbing them, and in pavement, cyclists disturb pedestrians,” she says.

Student biking will become more frequent. An attempt will also be made to include more people, including lecturers, government representatives, and more.

More information is in the video.

For Angela Merkel Armenia is a good example of effective cooperation with both EAEU and EU

Lilit Nahapetian
| 09:07 | August 25 2018
Categories
Politics
World

Armenia can be an example of how it’s possible to cooperate with Russia and at the same time have good cooperation with the European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a joint press conference with the Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan answering the question if it’s possible that in the future more practical steps are taken for establishing cooperation between the two unions and what role can Armenia have there.

“Armenia can be an example of how it’s possible to cooperate with Russia and at the same time have good cooperation with the European Union. Of course, the chances are not so much. The Eurasian Economic Union is in fact a free trade zone. Of course, there are very good economic opportunities that could be used. It’s hardly possible that in the nearest future there will be formal talks between the EU and the EAEU, but I think Armenia’s positive example can show that it’s really possible to do like that”, she underlined.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan noted that the EAEU area is of exception economic importance for Armenia. “But during the discussion we recorded that Armenia has also special trade regime with the EU, the GSP+ regime that allows expanding trade turnover volumes with the Union”, Pashinyan said.

Controllers of Gyumri’s parking lots require to make parking lots paid again (video)

Lilit Nahapetian
  • 19:00 | August 21,2018 | Regions
  • Armenian:

Controllers of Gyumri’s parking lots require the parking lots to be paid again, sign a contract with the municipality, collect the money for the budget, so that they can work legally. They talked about the issue at the Asparez club, where Levon Barseghyan, member of the Gyumri Council of Elders explained the decision of the council, then Controllers of Gyumri’s parking lots were in the community administration and met with them first deputy head of Gyumri community Ruben Sanoyan.

More information is in the video of “Tsayg” TV.

Asbarez: Pashinyan Reports on Government’s First 100 Days

Lilit Nahapetian
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August 17, 2018

Hundreds of thousands gathered at Republic Square on Friday for a rally to mark Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s first 100 days in office

Hundreds of thousands of people crowded Yereven’s Republic Square and the adjacent streets on Friday to hear Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s assessment of his government’s first 100 days in office. In a fiery speech that lasted more than an hour, Pashinyan defended his and his government track record and delivering an all-encompassing speech that covered Armenia’s economy, Artsakh and the Karabakh conflict resolution, fight against corruption and relations with Russia.

In opening his remarks, he, once again declared a “people’s rule,” crediting the people of Armenia for the successes of his government and the country.

“One hundred days ago, your will prevailed and the international community still cannot understand what happened in Armenia, why and how it happened,” said Pashinyan calling himself a “direct representative of the will of the Armenian people.”

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses a rally on Friday

“In Armenia, there is no coalition government. In Armenia, there is no parliamentary majority. In Armenia, the ultimate power directly belongs to the people and the people carry out direct rule. This is the key meaning of the revolution that took place in Armenia,” he declared pointing to the crowd and saying that they should view themselves as “supreme body of the people’s rule.”

“This means that from now on this government will be accountable to this square, will obey this square, and all key decisions must be made here at this square,” said Pashinyan to thunderous applause.

Artsakh
Specifically focusing on his role in the Karabakh conflict negotiation process and in an attempt to debunk criticism, especially from former president Robert Kocharian, Pashinyan emphasized that he is ready to negotiate, on behalf of Armenia, for the resolution of the conflict. However, he reiterated his long-running position that the Artsakh Republic must be represented at the negotiating table.

“I am ready to fully negotiate on behalf of the Republic of Armenia on Karabakh issue, but the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh must negotiate on behalf of Artsakh,” Pashinyan emphasized.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan surrounded by some cabinet members and his fellow party members on Friday

The prime minister was clear in declaring that Armenia does not want war and would like to resolve the conflict peacefully. He said, however, that if Azerbaijan continues its attacks, the soldiers of the armed forces are ready to deliver a powerful counter blow to their advances.

“If in the negotiation process there is an option that I will think is a good one and I support, I will never sign any document without your consent. I will present whatever proposal there is to you in detail and you will decide if we will accept that resolution option not,” added Pashinyan.

Russia
The prime minister specifically discussed Armenia’s relations with Russia, as this topic has been used by Kocharian and others in attempts to discredit his administration.

In an interview with Yerkir Media on Thursday, Kocharian point blank said that Pashinyan does not have the experience to deal with Russia, as well as the complex geopolitical challenges facing Armenia.

Pointing out that since taking office he has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin twice and has discussed issues related to Russia-Armenia relations with him over the phone three times (the most recent of which was Thursday), Pashinyan said that his administration’s goal is to improve and strengthen relations with Russia and raise them to a new level.

In fact, he said, in the near future, a new “humanitarian” project with Russia will be unveiled, “the likes of which has not been seen in Armenia” since its independence.

WATCH THE ENTIRE SPEECH FROM AZATUTYUN.AM

“There will be no foreign policy shifts and one of our goals is the deepening of Armenian-Russian relations and raising these relations to a new level. After formal proceedings conclude you will get to know about a joint Armenian-Russian humanitarian project which is unprecedented in our history since independence,” explained Pashinyan.

Pashinyan said that his predecessors were adept at blaming their shortcomings on Russia, rationalizing their mistakes by citing Russian pressures.

He also noted that Armenia’s foreign policy has no geopolitical orientation. “The Republic of Armenia is not going anywhere. It is firmly standing on its feet with its proud citizens. Our key ideology in foreign relations is the protection of our national interests. We will improve our relations also with the European Union,” added Pashinyan.

Corruption/Rule of Law
Pashinyan said that his pledges to eradicate corruption have already seen some progress with the Armenia’s National Security Service actively investigation cases of looted property and funds not only from the state but also the military.

“Money stolen from the people will be recovered fully,” he said, citing recent audits of some companies that have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue.

People turned out in droves on Friday to hear Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

He also discussed the ongoing investigation into the incidents of March 1, 2008 when opposition forces clashed with police during a post-election protest resulting in the deaths of eight civilians and two police officers.

Former president Kocharian is charged with breaching Armenia’s constitutional order in relation to those events and after being released from pre-trial custody on Monday he has criticized the Prosecutor General’s office of building a case on lies.

In a clear reference to Kocharian, Pashinyan said: “I want to make clear that no one will avoid responsibility for killing 10 people and staging a coup d’etat in Armenia on March 1 [2008] … All murderers will go to prison.”

He illustrated the difference between his administration and the previous regimes by pointing out that he is not exerting any pressure on the judiciary. However, he criticized certain judges whom he believes are still taking “orders from representatives of the former corrupt authorities.”

“Come to your senses,” he warned them. “And don’t mess with the people.”

Why Kocharyan’s release is in Armenian Prime Minister’s best interests

Lilit Nahapetian
Vestnik Kavkaza
Aug 16 2018

16 Aug in 16:59 Mikhail Simonov, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

Second president of Armenia was arrested pretty unexpectedly. The same can be said about his release. At first, Kocharyan was invited as a witness to testify to the Special Investigation Service. By the end of that day second president of Armenia became a prisoner on charges of going against constitutional order. That’s how current law enforcers interpreted the events of March 2008, which followed presidential elections in February of the same year.

It seems that after coming to power Pashinyan began to deal with the dark past and try to bring those responsible to justice.

It was obvious that authorities are going to address the events of March 1. The Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal cases against former president, defense minister and head of the Yerevan local garrison of those days. Of course, Pashinyan took a risk. No matter what he did, Kocharyan’s arrest would always look like personal revenge, and Kocharyan himself would be viewed as a prisoner of new Armenian leader. And that’s why it seemed like he will spend a lot of time in prison, especially since petition of a large group of deputies about his release was rejected.

But the Appeal Court suddenly made a decision to release him. Is it really bad for Pashinyan? How will this situation end? The fact that once untouchable Robert Kocharyan is now in a completely different position was shown by demonstration of a small group of activists, who disrupted his planned press conference. But that’s not the main point, even though it says a lot about his current situation.

Kocharyan’s release is in Armenian Prime Minister’s best interests for several reasons.

1. No one in Armenia should feel like his above the law, although new authorities should this by going against oligarchs and closest relatives of Serzh Sargsyan.

2. International community, including Russia, which didn’t like more Kocharyan’s arrest, saw that Armenia begins to live by the law, and if the court has decided to release someone, then that’s it. In addition, Kocharyan’s release also helps to prevent escalation in relations with Moscow in a way.

3. After these events, new government can’t be accused of selective use of the law. No one can blame new authorities in using double standarts.

4. With Robert Kocharyan’s release, Pashinyan now has a real political rival. But this rival has to use those forced that provoked Velvet revolution not so long ago, so Pashinyan sees no danger in Kocharyan.

5. After prison any person think about the meaning of this event in his life, and how much will it affect him in the future. Robert Kocharyan, who considers his arrest to be a political revenge, will think twice whether to return to politics or not.

6. Pashinyan once again showed the society that he’s a man of his word. He promised not to interfere in Kocharyan’s trial, and it seems that he really didn’t.

7. Nikol Pashinyan announced he’s going to hold a “report meeting” on August 17. He’s going to tell his nation about his first days in power, what he managed to do, what he has to face, what tasks haven’t been resolved at the moment. A lot of people are going to visit this event..

8. Finally, Robert Kocharyan is a free man, but the “March 1” events are still relevant.

NSS Director confirms his candidacy will be nominated for position of President of Football Federation of Armenia

Lilit Nahapetian
| 12:57 | August 16 2018
Category
Society

Artur Vanetsyan, Director of the National Security Service, confirms that his candidacy will be nominated for the position of the President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) during the upcoming session of the FFA Executive Committee, the NSS chief told reporters after today’s Cabinet session.

“9 teams of the supreme group supported my candidacy. The incumbent FFA President, the Executive Committee will convene a session soon and will announce new elections where I will nominate my candidacy. I don’t think my activity in the FFA will hinder my work at the NSS. The work at the FFA will be mainly carried out by the football world representatives”, the NSS Director said.

He assured that if elected as FFA President he will bring benefit to the football. “I can clearly state that we will rule out the agreed upon games”, he said.

Armenian government asks Lydian Armenia to arm itself with patience

Lilit Nahapetian
Arminfo, Armenia
Aug 13 2018
Armenian government asks Lydian Armenia to arm itself with patience

Yerevan August 13

Alina Hovhannisyan. A regular protest action by Lydian Armenia employees living in communities adjacent to the field was held next to the government building today. According to Mkhitar Arshakyan, a specialist in biodiversity monitoring of Lydian Armenia, the mining project has been idle for 53 days, during this period 3 letters were sent to the government calling for measures against lawlessness of a small group of activists who blocked the roads to the deposit and thereby stopped the work process.

To note, for almost 2 months the roads leading to the Amulsar gold mine have been blocked by a group of activists, who are against the development of the field. The police are not interfering in the process.

“Despite our appeals to the government, no actions are being taken,” Arshakyan said in an interview with the press. Consequently, the employees decided once again to try to get attention of the authorities. This time the result did not take long. The head of the office of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan – Serzh Varag Siseryan invited 6 employees of the company for a dialog in the presence of journalists.

Presenting the situation at the field, Arshakyan voiced the main issue that worries all Lydian Armenia employees: “We were patient for 53 days, following the Prime Minister’s request during his visit to Jermuk. A similar request was sent to protesting activists, but nothing changed after that. Our legal right to work has been violated. We sent a letter to the government three times. Having received no response, yesterday we decided jointly with the residents of the adjacent communities who are employees of the company, to gather near the government building and get an answer to our main question: why is our right to work violated, and when will we be able to return to our working place?”

Serzh Varag Siseryan called for patience until the end of the month, when the conclusions by the working group on the Amulsar project will be presented. “I know that you have waited long enough, and your right to work has been violated. But I ask to be patient for another 15 days. I assure you, at the end of the current month the decision will be made, “he stressed. In this light the Head of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister assured that the results of the research will be objective, as well as the subsequent decisions by the Prime Minister. “Our representative, assistant to Deputy Prime Minister Mikael Nahapetyan, is also a member of the working group. We, for our part, are doing everything possible to ensure the normal functioning of the research team, “he said.

In turn, the mine surveyor of Lydian Armenia Karen Badalyan addressed Serzh Varag Siseryan with a counter proposal: “Since we have made concessions for all these 53 days, why protesters can not do this for the next 15 days, and let us start work before the end of the month? In any case we will not manage to open the deposit in this period but at least people will not lose their jobs. At the same time, the surveyor raised the issue of migration. In particular, he stressed that some of employees from Saravan, which is a border community, have already left abroad in search of earnings. “If the issue is not resolved, I also intend to migrate from the country,” K. Badalyan stressed. The head of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister assured that he will talk with the CEO of Lydian Armenia Hayk Aloyan on the issue of keeping the jobs. “The results of the discussion will be known today,” he stressed.

In conclusion, Assistant Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Vahe Danielyan added that the study of the working group will cover absolutely all the deposits operating in Armenia. ”Your work has not been suspended by the state, but only by a few people who hold the opinion that the Amulsar project contains environmental and health risks. Now, according to the prime minister’s decision, a working group has been set up that will determine how much the anxiety of certain social strata corresponds to reality, and if there are risks, how can they be reduced to zero. This also corresponds to the government program and its interests, which are aimed at eliminating all kinds of abuses in the mining sector, “he concluded.

To recall, Lydian Armenia is a subsidiary of British Lydian International, whose shareholders are also large international institutional investors from the United States, Great Britain, a number of European countries, including EBRD. The Amulsar project is the largest industrial project in Armenia for the development of the Amulsar gold deposit at a total cost of $ 370 million. In August 2016, a project for the construction and development of the field was launched. Preliminary work has been carried out since 2006. The life of the Amulsar deposit will be 10 years and 4 months, an annual average of 200,000 ounces of gold (about 10 million tons of ore) is planned. The company’s shares are quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Amulsar deposit is the second largest in Armenia.