Author: Vanyan Gary

Acting PM’s new adviser general-mayor Arshak Karapetyan gives testimonies against Kocharyan: attorney

Vanyan Gary
Aysor, Armenia
Dec 22 2018

Armenia’s acting PM Nikol Pashinyan’s newly appointed adviser general-mayor Arshak Karapetyan has given testimonies against Armenia’s second president Robert Kocharyan, attorney Hayk Alumyan told the reporters today.

“This person has given testimonies against Mr Kocharyan. Mr Kocharyan claims that these testimonies are absolute lies. An attempt was made to conduct face-to-face interrogation but it failed due to some reasons I would not like to voice,” Alumyan said.

“Arshak Karapetyan was one of deputies of Yuri Khachaturov. I cannot say why he has been appointed adviser. I can only suppose that the appointment was made as a sign of encouragement in the sidelines of the criminal case. Of course, I would not like to think that it is such a case, but it would be difficult to think in another way,” Alumyan said.

Spokesman for CSTO Secretariat: Document on the appointment of a new CSTO SG should be signed by all the heads of member countries

Vanyan Gary
Arminfo, Armenia
Dec 21 2018
Ani Mshetsyan

ArmInfo. The deadlines for signing the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the appointment of the new Secretary General are not defined; all heads  of the organization's member states must sign this document,  Spokesman for the CSTO secretariat Vladimir Zainetdinov told RIA  Novosti.

On Friday, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, held a  working meeting with the Head of State Security Council of the  country Stanislav Zas and signed a draft decision of the Collective  Security Council of the CSTO on his appointment as Secretary General  of the organization. Earlier, Zas had already visited Kyrgyzstan,  Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Russia to coordinate his appointment. At  the same time, the press secretary of acting Prime Minister of  Armenia Arman Yeghoyan stated that holding a meeting between the  Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the candidate for  the post of CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas is not scheduled.

"This decision must be signed by six heads of state. The secretary  general is appointed by consensus, six heads of state," Zaynetdinov  told RIA Novosti. According to him, the CSTO secretariat does not yet  have information on whether any of the heads of state signed a  decision other than Lukashenko, as well as "no deadlines" have been  set for this.

"I have no information about this," he explained.

Zas said on Friday that he was ready to hold meetings in Armenia and  hoped for a consensus on his appointment. At the same time, according  to him, the CSTO Charter provides for a procedure for making  decisions in a limited format, when not every country agrees with a  particular issue. At the same time, Zas hopes for a compromise on  this issue.

The representative of Armenia, Yuri Khachaturov, who previously held  the post of the CSTO Secretary General, was dismissed from office,  his deputy Valery Semerikov became acting Secretary General.   Armenian investigators charged Khachaturov with overthrowing the  constitutional order in a criminal case on dispersing protest actions  on March 1, 2008. The court released Khachaturov on bail. After that,  Armenia offered the CSTO countries to begin the process of replacing  the organization's secretary general, insisting that the  representative of Armenia should remain the secretary general. 

Pashinyan on Armenian citizens in foreign countries voting: ‘Which country’s Electoral Code will be used?’

Vanyan Gary
Aravot, Armenia
Dec 20 2018
Pashinyan on Armenian citizens in foreign countries voting: ‘Which country’s Electoral Code will be used?’

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the issue of Armenian citizens in foreign countries voting during the opening of the “Neruzh” project in Dilijan. One of the participants, who has lived in Canada for the past ten years, asked if the new government will create an opportunity for Armenian citizens living outside of Armenia to vote.

Pashinyan assured that the current system needs to continue. “Because, for example, if we want all citizens living in Russia to have the opportunity to vote, then we need to lead in accordance with the Armenian Electoral Code as well as the Russian one. This means that we need to have one voting station for every 2,000 voters. And if we do that, then it will become clear that there are more voting stations outside of Armenia than inside.”

Pashinyan said that this is not technically possible, since Armenia does not have a consulate in Chelyabinsk or Tyumen, for example. Armenian citizens living in Tyumen will need to travel to Moscow or St. Petersburg to vote. “And if they have to go all that way, they should come to Armenia to vote. The best option is for Armenian citizens to be in Armenia to vote.”

Nelly Babayan

California’s “Diamond Chef” Sparkles at the World’s Largest Food Sport Competition

Vanyan Gary
World Food Championships
Dec 7 2018
Posted Dec 7, 2018
Why did the chicken cross the road? Don’t know? Perhaps you should consult an expert like Lidia Haddadian. The home cook from Pasadena, California was recently crowned the 2018 World Chicken Champion at the 7th Annual World Food Championships (WFC) in Orange Beach, Alabama.

After five days of nonstop, high-paced, tournament-style cooking with more than 500 teams from 12 countries and 40+ states, Lidia was announced as one of the 10 category champions at WFC, which was present by Walmart. More than 5,600 dishes were served and judged in the process of determining the 2018 champions, each of whom won $10,000 and world culinary titles.

Growing up, Lidia always admired both of her grandmothers’ Armenian cooking skills and techniques. She longed to present beautiful dishes and create inventive recipes like the women she looked up to. Throughout her childhood, Lidia developed a unique culinary perspective due to her exposure to Brazilian, Mediterranean and American cuisines. 

“From a young age I was introduced to a lot of different culinary cuisines. While growing up in Brazil, I was able to experience the culture’s dishes,enjoy Mediterranean foods at home and American-style lunches at school,” Lidia explained.   

WFC, in addition to being Lidia’s first world title, also marked this Food Champ’s 40th cooking competition win. From her first grand prize in 2014 –– an apron–– to a $10,000 win and becoming the 2018 World Category Champion, this passionate cook certainly has come a long way.  

“Cooking is a big part of my life and I love it,” Lidia noted.

Lidia is no stranger to Food Sport. She’s placed in the Top 10 at WFC three out of the four years she’s competed (2014, 2017, 2018). For this year’s competition, her Sweet & Spicy Tropical Sticky Wings w/ Paradise Salsa dish scored a 97.0556 which landed her the top spot amongst the field of talented cooks in the Chicken category.

Lidia’s win did not come without some challenges that often occur when competing. While creating her signature sticky sauce in the Top Ten round, Lidia realized she was missing the main ingredient. As any true Food Champ would do, she thought quickly and sent her sous chef to retrieve the needed component for her dish, leaving her to cook alone for a good portion of the competition. Though she was nervous about her performance, her efforts paid off! 

This home cook contributes a great deal of her WFC success to her supportive husband of 32 years and sous chef, Vahik Haddadian. In addition, she also credits Vahik for the naming of her team, Diamond Chef. 

“Many years ago, we were watching Iron Chef America, and I was mesmerized with the talent of on the screen,” Lidia recalls. “He looked at me and said, ‘Honey, what are you talking about? They are Iron Chefs. They rust! You, you are my Diamond Chef–– you’ll never rust!’”

“He is my biggest inspiration,” said the Pasadena home cook.

The “Diamond Chef” will now prepare to take on the other nine WFC category champs in the ultimate test of skills, performance and creativity at WFC’s Final Table, where the 2018 World Food Champion title and $100,000 prize will be determined. 

“I’m super excited for the Final Table and can’t wait to find out more about the competition because my brain is anxious to start creating,” Lidia shared. 

For the first time in WFC’s history, the Final Table will be a destination challenge that requires the champions to travel to a great American city and replicate dishes from the host city’s heritage to be judged by local celebrity chefs. Details on the Final Table process and location will be revealed at a later date.

To review all the 2018 World Food Championships results, visit www.worldfoodchampionships.com/scores. For Food Sport updates, visit www.worldfoodchampionships.com and follow the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).



Anna Hakobyan to leave for Switzerland on working visit

Vanyan Gary
  • 17:07 | December 11,2018 | Official
  • Հայ

Anna Hakobyan, spouse of Armenia’s acting prime minister, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of My Step and City of Smile Foundations, will pay a working visit to Switzerland on December 12-17.

During the visit Mrs. Hakobyan will meet with the members of the Armenian-Swiss parliamentary friendship group, as well as a number of philanthropists. She will also visit the Frank Muller company, the Armenian Genocide Memorial, as well as will meet with the Armenian community representatives in the Armenian center in Geneva. During the visit Anna Hakobyan is also expected to attend the graduation ceremony of the students of Geneva’s Topalian College, as well as a concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Spitak earthquake

Sports: UEFA to assist Armenia with construction of new national stadium

Vanyan Gary
MediaMax, Armenia
Dec 5 2018

Photo: FotoPyK

Mr. Vanestyan and FFA Vice President, Secretary General Armen Melikbekyan met in the Irish capital with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Director for National Associations Zoran Lakovic. They discussed a broad range of areas for cooperation, particularly the programs for infrastructure development that FFA plans to carry out in Armenian marzes over the next 4 years.

The Armenian delegation introduced UEFA officials to the plan for construction of a new national stadium. Aleksander Ceferin said UEFA is ready to support the Armenian Football Federation with planning, expert assistance and professional consultations to make the new stadium compliant with UEFA standards, said FFA.

Aivazovsky’s ‘Venice at Sunset’ sells for £609,000 at auction

Vanyan Gary
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 27 2018

‘Venice at Sunset’ by world-renowned seascape artist Hovhannes (Ivan) Aivazovsky has been sold for £609,000 ($780,000) at Christie's auction of the Russian Art held in London on 26 November, TASS reports.

‘Venice at Sunset’ was estimated at £400,000-600,000 ($522,800-$784,200) at the auction. It was created in 1873 and belongs to John Kluge’s private collection. The painting never appeared in the arts market over the past 20 years.

The auction, that brought together 250 participants from 29 countries, collected a total of £7,15 million.

All proceeds from the sales at Christie's will be donated to the Colombia University of New York.  

Aivazovsky (born July 29, 1817 – died May 5, 1900), also known as Haivazovskiy, was a Russian painter of Armenian descent, most famous for his seascapes, which constitute more than half of his paintings. Aivazovsky was born to a poor Armenian family in the city of Theodosia in the Crimea.

At the age of twenty, he graduates from the Art Academy of St. Petersburg with a gold medal. He goes to Italy to continue his studies and returns as an internationally acclaimed seascape painter. Neither financial security nor life in Palace interests him. He returns to his native land, builds a workplace on the seashore and, until the last days of his life, dedicates himself to the work that he loves. He participates in exhibitions all over the world.   

Արմեն Սարգսյանն շնորհավորական ուղերձ է հղել Սալոմե Զուրաբիշվիլիին

Vanyan Gary
  • 30.11.2018

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Հանրապետության նախագահ Արմեն Սարգսյանն շնորհավորական ուղերձ է հղել Սալոմե Զուրաբիշվիլիին Վրաստանի Հանրապետության նախագահի պաշտոնում ընտրվելու առթիվ՝ մաղթելով աշխատանքային նվաճումներ ու հաջողություններ՝ ի շահ Վրաստանի բարեկամ ժողովրդի:


«Լիահույս եմ, որ մեր համատեղ ջանքերի շնորհիվ հայ-վրացական բարեկամական ջերմ հարաբերությունները կշարունակեն զարգանալ ու հարստանալ բոլոր բնագավառներում՝ արձանագրելով երկու ժողովուրդների միջև փոխգործակցության որակական նոր մակարդակի բարձրացման համար դրական դինամիկա»,-ասված է Հանրապետության նախագահի շնորհավորական ուղերձում:

Car of Armen Gyulbudaghyants, provided by FFA, robbed

Vanyan Gary
  • 15:47 | November 29,2018 | Social
  • Հայ

31 year-old Yerevan resident Martin Kobalyan, who applied to the Arabkir Police division, informed that on November 27-28 November, the front lights of the Porsche Cayenne car parked in front of the building at Komitas Avenue were stolen.

As reported by shamshyan.com, this car is registered in the Football Federation of Armenia and it is driven by the head coach of the Armenian national team Armen Gyulbudaghyants.

Materials are being prepared in the Investigation Department of the Arabkir Police Division.

Starting from 2019, minimum old-age pension in Armenia will be raised to the threshold of food poverty

Vanyan Gary
Arminfo, Armenia
Nov 30 2018
Starting from 2019, minimum old-age pension in Armenia will be raised to the threshold of food poverty

Yerevan November 29

Naira Badalian. On November 29, the Government of Armenia approved the legislative initiative of the Ministry of Labor and on Social Affairs to raise the minimum pension to the threshold of food poverty of 25,500 drams. The government will amend the law "On State Pensions", following which starting from January 1, 2019, the minimum pension will rise immediately by 60% – from 16,000 to 25,500 drams.

As stated in the brief description of the bill, the purpose of the presented document is "overcoming extreme (food) poverty among pensioners". It is noted that according to the data of December 2017, in 2016, the threshold of food poverty in Armenia was 23,313 drams. As expected, in 2019, taking into account the 3% annual inflation, the figure will reach 25,500 drams. According to the document, as of June 1, 2019, the number of pensioners in Armenia will be 497,394 people, of whom 463,069 people will receive a retirement pension, 32,420 more will receive recipients of pensions through the power structures and 1905 military retirees.

Considering the abovementioned, the Armenian government proposed to introduce a new instrument in the state pension system – "the size of the minimum pension". "This tool will make it possible to make a more targeted policy in the area of retirees receiving a low pension," the document says. The authority to establish the minimum pension payments is proposed to be transferred to the RA government. "According to calculations carried out within the framework of budget processes, from January 1, 2019, the minimum pension is provided at the level of 25,500 (at the level of extreme poverty). If the project is approved, according to the RA Law on State Pensions, the pension lower than the minimum pension level from 1 January, 2019 will be paid in the amount of the minimum pension payments. It is noted that the corresponding funds are provided for by the program of medium-term expenditures of Armenia for 2019- 2021.

As of November 2017, according to the data of the Social Security Service of the Ministry of Social Affairs of Armenia, 524 thousand 485 pensioners are registered in the Republic of Armenia, of which 460 thousand receive a retirement pension (basic pension is 16 thousand drams, plus allowances for seniority – 800 drams for the first 10 years and 500 for the next) and 64 thousand pensioners receive an insurance old-age pension of 16 thousand drams. The concept and statistical calculation of the "minimum food basket" in the country was abolished in the late 2000s.