Author: Maral Chavushian

​Armenian President pays historic visit to Saudi Arabia

Maral Chavushian
Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 26 2021

Armenian President pays historic visit to Saudi Arabia

, 22:51 

will mark a special page in the history of Armenian-Arab relations, particularly between the Republic of Armenia and Saudi Arabia.

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian paid a working visit to Saudi Arabia today. This unprecedented event is definitely a turning point in Armenia’s international relations.

No Armenian official has ever visited the country since Armenia’s independence in the absence of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia.

President Sarkissian took a historic step, paying the first-ever visit to a country with a unique role in the Arab and Islamic world.

At the airport in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Armen Sarkissian was greeted at the highest state level. He was welcomed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir, and according to the official protocol, the state flag of the Republic of Armenia was raised at the airport.

Russian Vote Monitor Named ‘Foreign Agent’ After $3 Donation From Armenian

Maral Chavushian
Oct 22 2021

Golos, an independent vote-monitoring movement, was named a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry in August after receiving a $3 contribution from an Armenian citizen, the movement’s co-chairman Grigory Melkonyants said on Facebook. 

A Russian court denied Golos’ challenge against being designated a “foreign agent,” explaining that the grounds for the vote-monitoring organization being added to list was two transfers of “about 200 rubles” ($2.80) from a citizen of ex-Soviet republic Armenia, Melkonyants said.

The Russian Justice Ministry included Golos, a local organization that observes elections, in its list of “foreign agents” just weeks before September’s parliamentary elections in a move widely decried as a ploy to frustrate their efforts to monitor and report on election fraud.

Created in 2000, Golos had notably denounced election rigging in the 2011 parliamentary election and the 2012 presidential vote which saw President Vladimir Putin return to the Kremlin. 

“Despite the lack of evidence, the court dismissed our claim. We will appeal,” Melkonyants said in a post. 

Melkonyants disputed the Justice Ministry’s claims, and said that the movement did not even have a bank account where the transfer could be sent to. He added that he was “discouraged by the lack of evidence and supporting documents” that the Justice Ministry used as grounds for the “foreign agent” label. 

The development mirrors other incidents of organizations being designated “foreign agents” after having received small donations from foreign citizens or people living in other countries. Last year, the League of Voters non-profit was added to Russia’s “foreign agent” registry after receiving a transfer of 225 rubles ($3.20) from a Molodvan citizen.

Kremlin critics say authorities are using the “foreign agents” law to silence opposition voices and independent media. News organizations, NGOs and individuals which are added to the registry must follow rigorous financial reporting requirements and attach a 24-word foreign agent disclaimer to every publication, including social media posts.



Armenian vaccination certifications are not recognised in Europe

Maral Chavushian

Oct 18 2021



    Sona Martirosyan, Yerevan

It is difficult for Armenian citizens to enter the territory of the European Union as the electronic system adopted in the EU countries does not yet recognize certificates and QR codes issued in Armenia to those vaccinated against Covid-19. Therefore, even those who do receive an entry permit may not be allowed to visit indoor spaces – for example, cinemas and cafes.

Currently, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Spikevax vaccines produced by Moderna are used in Armenia. All of the vaccines available the vaccinated are issued with an appropriate certificate, which, however, is recognized only in five countries of the world – Croatia, Serbia, Georgia, Iraq and Egypt.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 vaccination process in Armenia, as of October 10, 514,241 people, including foreign citizens, have been vaccinated. Until now, only 3.5-4% of the population of Armenia have been vaccinated. On October 12, a record number of deaths from coronavirus per day was recorded – 43 cases, including one vaccinated person. The total death toll as of October 18 is 5,805 people.

Why European countries do not recognize “green passports” issued in Armenia, what steps the government is taking, and when the issue will be finally resolved. The author of this material also shares his personal story about how this prevented him from leaving for professional training in Europe.

  • All about getting vaccinated. Vlog from Armenia
  • Infertility and blood cloths – Covid-19 vaccination myths in Armenia
  • Unexpected benefits of COVID-19: how some Armenian businesses benefit from pandemic

Since September 9, according to the epidemiological standards adopted in the European Union, Armenia has again found itself in a dangerous “red zone”. This was due to the high rates of the spread of the “delta” strain of Covid-19 and a sharp increase in the number of infected.

While there is no positive dynamics in overcoming the infection in Armenia, each of the EU countries will make a decision on its own whether or not to allow the entry of Armenian citizens into its territory.

Meanwhile, I went through several difficult stages of selection and joined the group of participants in the training for journalists in Sweden. I was sent an official invitation from the Swedish university, plane tickets and documents confirming the reservation for accommodation. All that remained was to get a visa.

For residents of the “red zone” countries, the procedure for entering Sweden is simple: you need to have a certificate confirming that you are fully vaccinated and the result of a negative PCR test.

It seemed that I could not have any problems here. I was vaccinated back in May when AstraZeneca was declared a “vaccine allowing free entry to the EU countries”. But the journalistic instinct told me that there would be problems and everything should be rechecked.

First, I decided to make sure if my data was really included in the ARMED unified electronic health information system in Armenia. It turned out that it was entered, and I did have a “green passport”, that is, a QR code confirming that I received both doses of the vaccine. Then I sent this certificate to Sweden, and a day later I received an official response:

“We are sorry, but your visit to Stockholm cannot take place. The presented certificate and QR-code do not correspond to European standards”.

The Ministry of Health, which is responsible for the entire vaccination process, was already aware that other citizens of Armenia have similar problems. I was offered to obtain a printed document from the local polyclinic – a certificate of vaccination, sealed and signed by the head of the polyclinic.

At the same time, the employees of the ministry still did not have absolute confidence that this document, issued at the clinic, would guarantee me entry to any European country. However, today the government of Armenia, represented by the Ministry of Health, cannot offer anything more.

The data of the citizens vaccinated in Armenia is entered into the ARMED system, the person then receives the corresponding QR-code by scanning which one can find out when and how many doses of the vaccine they have received.

By the way, residents of the country had the wrong impression about the situation with QR codes. For the majority, the main problem in Armenia is that in the case of one vaccine it is issued, in the case of the other it is not. However, when vaccinating with any of the vaccines available in Armenia, everyone receives the corresponding QR code – although not all vaccines are recognized by the World Health Organization – for example, Sputnik V.

The European Union, on the other hand, a few months ago created the EU digital Covid certificate system, which allows countries to recognize a QR code issued in other states, however, Armenia has not yet been included in this system.

According to Avet Manukyan, Director of the National Operator of Electronic Health, ARMED has already fully completed the technical work on integration into the EU digital Covid certificate system, and now a response from the European Union is expected.

“It was a rather difficult authorization process, which we went through completely, completed it. Nothing more is needed from us, we are in standby mode – when they say that the program is ready”.

The process is expected to be completed by the end of October.

So far, 27 EU countries and 16 non-member states are connected to the EU digital Covid certificate system.

Negotiations on the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates are being conducted by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

At the request of JAMnews, the department replied that the process of recognizing certificates of vaccination against Covid-19, which are issued in Armenia, began on July 25 and is carried out through bilateral coordination with individual countries – on the principle of reciprocity.

The ministry reports that many countries are very cautious about easing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic and are in no hurry to simplify the entry and exit regime for foreigners, including with the mutual recognition of certificates.

Armenia reports 601 daily COVID-19 cases

Maral Chavushian

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 11:11,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. 601 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Armenia in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 272,957, the ministry of healthcare reports.

5814 COVID-19 tests were conducted on October 10.

891 patients have recovered in one day. The total number of recoveries has reached 249,158.

The death toll has risen to 5575 (26 death cases have been registered in the past one day).

The number of active cases is 16,997.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Urgency of Armenian PoWs’ repatriation raised in Vatican

Maral Chavushian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Oct 6 2021
October 6, 2021 – 15:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has raised the urgency of the return of Armenian captives illegally detained in Baku and Azerbaijan’s violation of the rights of the border residents of Armenia during a meeting with the Cardinal Secretary of State at the Vatican.

Tatoyan is currently in Rome as part of a delegation led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II. Meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Wednesday, October 6, Tatoyan handed over to the Vatican Secretary of State his reports on and evidence of Azerbaijan’s torture and ill-treatment of Armenian captives in the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War in fall 2020.

The Ombudsman stressed the urgency of the repatriation of the Armenian captives, emphasizing Baku’s gross violations of international law and adding that the Armenian PoWs are being used as bargaining chips.

Tatoyan also weighed in on the Azerbaijani military’s incursion into Armenian soil and their deployment on roads connecting civilian settlements, which he said has endangered people’s lives and health and is accompanied by looting, threats and indiscriminate shootings.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. Since then, almost a dozen Armenian servicemen have been killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting, a dozen others have been wounded.

Armenia – Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband – Statistics and Analyses

Maral Chavushian
Global Newswire
Oct 7 2021

09:50 ET | Source: BuddeComm

Sydney, Oct. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. – https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Armenia-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW

The country has struggled to build economic momentum and independence since breaking away from the Soviet Union in 1991, and these two events have only served to further delay Armenia’s prospects for economic recovery in the short to medium term.

Despite the woes besetting the country on the larger scale, Armenia’s telecom sector was still able to post modest gains — at least in the mobile and broadband segments. Its fixed-line penetration continues to slide downwards, only buttressed by the rollout of fibre networks which have encouraged the take up of bundled services. Even so, the fixed broadband market remains undeveloped, being somewhat hamstrung by the lack of underlying infrastructure outside the main cities.

In general, Armenia’s small population and low GDP per capita means that the country presents limited opportunities for growth. The one bright spot for the sector is mobile broadband, which is expected reach 130% penetration rate by 2026, at a CAGR of more than 8.6%. However, this is subject to the country managing to avoid conflict.

Key developments:

  • Telecom Armenia was sold by its owner VEON to Team LLC, a new business started by two former executives and co-founders of Telecom Armenia’s closest competitor Ucom.
  • Beeline contracted with Nokia to deploy the latter’s GPON infrastructure throughout the country.
  • Ucom started trialling a 1Gb/s fibre service packaged with TV and fixed-voice telephony.
  • This report includes the regulator’s market data to Q1 2021, telcos’ financial and operating data updates to June 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, and other recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report

Telecom Armenia (ArmenTel, Beeline), Ucom, VivaCell-MTS

Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Armenia-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW

Dean Vahan Shahinian Donates $25,000 to SAS

Maral Chavushian
 by Contributor

 

 October 5, 2021

 

in Latest, News, Top Stories
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Dean Vahan Shahinian

The Society for Armenian Studies has received a $25,000 donation from Dean Vahan Shahinian. The donation will be used to create the position of SAS Executive Secretary. As the activities of the Society have multiplied in the past three years, the Executive Council has decided to establish a part-time position to enhance the efficiency of the Society and its activities, both on the national and international levels. 

Dean Shahinian, Esq. worked for the Chairmen of the United States Senate Banking Committee as Senior Counsel and Chief Securities Policy Advisor to staff over one hundred hearings and negotiate and draft numerous bills and laws. He has contributed to the Armenian community by serving on the National Ecclesiastical Assembly (to elect the Catholicos) in 1995 and 1999, on the Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Auditing Committee, on the Boards of St. Nersess Seminary and the Armenian Students Association, by emceeing the annual Alexandria Armenian Festival, by giving talks on Armenian manuscript illuminations, and in many other activities. 

Shahinian expressed his gratitude to the work done by SAS saying: “We rely on Armenian scholars to learn and to inform others about Armenian culture and history. We appreciate the scholarship of Professors Kevork Bardakjian, Richard Hovannisian, Dickran Kouymjian, Christina Maranci, Bedross Der Matossian, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Helen Evans, Sylvie Merian, and others and revere the work and enthusiasm of the late Lucy Der Manuelian and George Bournoutian.” He praised the mission of the Society saying, “SAS promotes a community for our scholars to enhance the quality and scope of Armenian Studies. I am pleased to contribute towards its mission.” 

“We are deeply touched by Mr. Shahinian’s generous donation,” said SAS President Prof. Bedross Der Matossian. “We are very appreciative of his unconditional support which comes at a time in which SAS is embarking on additional projects and will need a part-time staff person more than ever. I hope other individuals who appreciate the work carried out by the Society will help us financially to implement our various projects. The aim of these projects is to elevate the profile and standards of Armenian Studies throughout the world.”

Since 2018, SAS has embarked on major projects which include but are not limited to the SAS Podcast Series which are available on platforms like Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Play; SAS Graduate Research and Travel Grants; The Society for Armenian Studies Publication Series published through the Armenian Series of The Press at California State University, Fresno, e-SAS (Entries of the Society for Armenian Studies), and the “Journal Society for Armenian Studies” published by Brill. Recently the Society began expanding its activities in Armenia and Artsakh by implementing agreements academic institutions in both republics. 

If you would like to support SAS’s various activities, please contact Bedross Der Matossian via email at [email protected].

The SAS, founded in 1974, is the international professional association representing scholars and teachers in the field of Armenian Studies. The aim of the SAS is to promote the study of Armenian culture and society, including history, language, literature, and social, political, and economic questions.

Information about the SAS can be found on its website or by following the SAS on its Facebook page, @societyforarmenianstudies.

3,781 Armenian soldiers and civilians killed in last year’s war – Investigative Committee

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 27 2021

A total of 3,781 Armenian troops and civilians were killed in the 44-day war unleashed against Artsakh by Azerbaijan in 2020, according to the data released by the Investigative Committee of Armenia on Monday.

As of 27 September 2021, 231 servicemen and 22 civilians are still missing.

To date, the Azerbaijani side has handed over 108 captured servicemen and civilian captives to the Republic of Armenia, the Investigative Committee said.

The law enforcement agency said the preliminary investigation of the criminal case into the large-scale war unleashed by the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, as well as its involvement of mercenaries and deliberate and intentional attacks, particularly targeting the Artsakh civilians deep in the rear and civilian infrastructures, is underway.

Turkish press: ‘Martyrs’ of Azerbaijan’s Patriotic War commemorated in Turkish capital

Maral Chavushian
Jeyhun Aliyev   |26.09.2021

ANKARA

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkey along with the Turkish-Azerbaijani Friendship Cooperation and Solidarity Foundation (TADIV) on Sunday commemorated the “martyrs” of the second Karabakh War, also known as the Patriotic War.

Latest big-scale clashes in Karabakh erupted last fall, on Sept. 27, 2020, when the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

The war showed who the true “friends and brothers” were and that they supported the just stance of Baku in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Rashad Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s newly appointed ambassador in Ankara, said at the event.

During a subsequent 44-day conflict which ended under a deal signed on Nov. 10, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from Armenia’s nearly three-decade occupation.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

“The 83 million people of Turkey stood with the 10 million people of Azerbaijan. The flag of Azerbaijan was raised to the sky. It has been shown to the whole world that Azerbaijan is not alone,” Mammadov said, wishing Allah’s mercy on the fallen soldiers.

The envoy underlined that the foundation of the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan dates back many years, noting that these relations, which “the two nations have been protecting with their lives,” will continue.


“We will … stand by each other in tough and hard times, strengthen our economy, army and politics, and will move forward,” he added.

‘Immortality achieved with martyrdom’

Aygun Attar, head of TADIV, said she commemorates the “martyrs” with respect and gratitude.


“We commemorate the heroic army of Azerbaijan, which crowned a tremendous, unprecedented 44-day war with victory, and the wonderful people who achieved immortality with martyrdom,” she said.

Speaking on the unity of the Turkic speaking nations, Attar said: “Today, we are linked with each other through our language, which unites us, brings this harmony, and which constitutes the essence of unity in words, ideas and deeds.”

“May the unity of Turkey and Azerbaijan last forever,” she said.


‘Turkey stands by Azerbaijan like a fist’

Samil Ayrim, a Turkish lawmaker who chairs the Turkey-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group, also speaking at the event, highlighted that Turkey supported Azerbaijan during the war with its people, civil society and parliament.


“We stood by Azerbaijan like a fist with our parliament in Turkey,” he said.

Ayrim emphasized that the “heroic soldiers” of the Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha – also known as the pearl of Karabakh – after the international community “has been delaying” for 30 years.

He recalled that the Azerbaijani lands have been illegally occupied by the Armenian forces despite the UN General Assembly resolutions.

Four UN Security Council resolutions and two UN General Assembly resolutions, as well as many international organizations demanded the “immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territory since early 1990s.”

Prior to Azerbaijan’s last year victory, about 20% of its territory had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years.

On Sept. 27 last year, Mustafa Sentop, the speaker of Turkish parliament, was among the first Turkish officials who reacted to Armenian border attack on Azerbaijani settlements near the country’s western frontier, saying Ankara will always stand by Baku.

“The recent attacks on civilians have shown that Armenia is not only a threat to Azerbaijan but an established terror state in terms of regional peace,” Sentop said then on Twitter, adding that Armenia will solely be responsible for its consequences.

Sports: Boxer Armen Mashakaryan secures first medal for Armenia at World Military Boxing C’ship

Maral Chavushian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 22 2021

SPORT 20:31 22/09/2021 ARMENIA

Armenia secured the first medal at the World Military Boxing Championship in Moscow, the Boxing Federation of Armenia reported on Wednesday.

Armen Mashakaryan (69 kg), who defeated his Azerbaijani opponent in the first round, then beat his rival from Belarus in the 1/16 finals, faced Brazilian Luis Rodriguez in the 1/4 finals.

The Armenian boxer defeated his opponent in a fierce struggle to make it to the semifinals.

Incidentally, the Brazilian coaches have appealed the decision of the referees. If the decision remains unchanged, Mashakaryan will face Christian Medina Palacio of Venezuela.