“I came to Armenia with greatest pleasure”, says football legend Cafu ahead of Yerevan Legends Match

Category
Sport

Legendary Brazilian footballer Cafu says he was very pleased to take the offer to play in the Legends Match in Yerevan, which is due on July 8 in the Armenian capital.

“This is my first time in Armenia. It is with great pleasure that I have come here. We will play with great joy with our old friends. The result of the Legends Match isn’t important, what’s important is to make the Armenian people happy, to give joy,” he said.

The Latin America vs Europe Legends Match will kick off in Yerevan at 19:45, July 8, and will feature legendary players, including Rivaldo, Hernán Crespo, Gabriel Batistuta, Dida, Cafu, Ivan Zamorano, Juliano Belletti, Serginho, Paolo Maldini, Youri Djorkaeff, Jari Litmanen, Hristo Stoichkov, Demetrio Albertini, Ludovic Giuly, Kakha Kaladze, Ryan Giggs, Ronaldo and many more.

No alternative to peaceful settlement of NK conflict, says CSTO

Categories
Artsakh
Region

Secretary General of the Collective Treaty Security Organization (CSTO) Yuri Khachaturov has expressed concern over the current situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijan border in the Nakhijevan section.

“On June 11, 2018, at the foreign ministerial council sitting of CSTO in Almaty, Armenia’s minister of foreign affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan notified his colleagues and the CSTO Secretary General that Azerbaijani armed forces are actively re-locating along the border with Armenia in the Nakhijevan side, movements to areas of direct contact and implementation of engineering works.

We at the CSTO secretariat follow with concern the information about the dynamics of development of the situation, it shouldn’t lead to a new escalation of situation.

Affirming the significance of the means which are aimed at forming an atmosphere contributing to seeking ways for peaceful settlement of the issue, the CSTO secretariat is certain that it is necessary to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict exclusively through a peaceful way, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which is the only structure vested with the mandate of the international community, which has been affirmed by the 2017 statement of the CSTO leaders,” Khachaturov said in his commentary as reported by the CSTO website.

“The awakening of the 60s. Martiros Sarean and Minas Avetisian”, July 12 – Merdinian

Friends,

Come and listen to the great Ruzan Saryan, the grand daughter of the famous Martiros Saryan speak about «60-the the awakeningMartiros Sarean and: Minas Avetisyan», on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pmin the Aram and Anahis D. Boolghoorjian Hall of the Merdinian School: 13330 Riverside Dr. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (Please see the announcement below)

Please view the latest ARPA Institute presentation by Bedros Tomassian on 
“Armenian origin during the period of the Armenian Abbasid Caliphs” in 
the following link:
 https://youtu.be/QF1h5sarvus

Also please view the video of former Ambassador, Dr. Armen Baibourtian, speaking on: Quest for the Future: Armenia Transformed”  by clicking on the following link:                    

https://youtu.be/Rl7rMJH56yM               

and the Presentation by the great political analyst and now Deputy Minister of Environmental Protectio
n, Irina Ghaplanyan (which is relevant today, even after the “Velvet Revolution”) on “The Political Landscape of Armenia, Key players and the Diaspora” in the following link:


Please also view the link below and see how you can help ARPA Institute raise more funds. Se how much (close to $2000) have been raised thus far. 

You can help us by doing some searches on Goodsearch yourself. Just make Goodsearch.com your default search engine and do a few searches a day for ARPA Institute (select ARPA Institute as your cause). If 1000 people do one search per day, we can earn close to $4000 per year. So, please help!

Western Prelacy News – 7/6/18

July 6, 2018 
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA ON THE
FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
        Sunday, July 8, 2018 is the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus Christ, also known as Vartavar. 
        On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the Crescenta Valley parish. 
***
PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYER HELD IN PRELACY CHURCHES
        On Sunday, July 1st, 2018, the 23rd anniversary of the election and
consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia was celebrated within Western Prelacy Churches with Pontifical
Thanksgiving Prayer.
        H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine
Liturgy, delivered his message, and conducted Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer
service at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar
General, celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted
Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer service at Holy Cross Cathedral in
Montebello.
        At Holy Trinity Church, Parish Pastor Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian
celebrated Divine Liturgy and assisted in the Pontifical Prayer service. 
        In his message, the Prelate highlighted our Pontiff's faithful and
devoted service to the Armenian Church and the Armenian people since his
ordination to the priesthood 50 years ago, his visionary, dynamic, and bold
leadership as Catholicos for the past 23 years, and his contributions to our
nation as a scholar, educator, and champion of the Armenian Cause. His
Eminence stated that His Holiness has built a legacy that will endure in the
history of the Holy See of Cilicia, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and in
the ecumenical movement, for he has been and continues to be a prominent and
respected figure not only in the Armenian Church but on the international
stage. 
        Next, the Prelate delivered his sermon on the day's Gospel reading
from Matthew 14:13-21, the feeding of the five thousand, focusing on three
lessons. The first is our Lord Jesus Christ's infinite love and mercy for
mankind. Second, that we need not worry, for the Lord will provide for all
of our needs and with God even the impossible becomes possible. Third is
that as children of God we too are commissioned to help our fellow man just
as Jesus commissioned His disciples to feed the crowds. "May the message of
this miracle and the Pontifical Prayer service be an occasion for us all to
renew our obedience and faithfulness to God, our allegiance to the Holy See
of Cilicia, and our commitment to serving God, the Armenian Church, and our
fellow man," stated the Prelate.
        Citing from the Pontifical Prayer service, the Prelate concluded by
praying for the Lord to bless His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and strengthen
him in mind, body, and spirit, to fill us all with grace, wisdom, and
prudence, and to bless, strengthen, and keep in peace the Armenian Apostolic
Church, the Holy See of Cilicia, the Brotherhood, Prelacies, churches,
clergy, and faithful worldwide, keeping us all under the protection of His
holy and venerable cross. 
***
PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT NAVASARTIAN VICTORY BALL
        On Sunday, July 1st, 2018, the 43rd Navasartian Games Victory Ball
was held at the Beverly Hilton. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, attended and delivered the invocation. He was accompanied by
Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General,
Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo Eshgian and members were in attendance.  
        The program began with the flag ceremony by Homenetmen scouts,
followed by the national anthems. The Prelate began his invocation by
thanking God for the opportunity to come together on this centennial of the
first Republic of Armenia to celebrate Homenetmen on its centennial
anniversary. His Eminence saluted and commended the Homenetmen family, the
Central Executive, Regional Executive, Scouting Council, and local chapters
who work together in the spirit of love and brotherhood for the wellbeing of
our youth and the preservation of our heritage. He prayed for the Lord to
bless the devoted members of Homenetmen with many more healthy years to
carry on the organization's worthy mission and to bless and protect and
young scouts and athletes as they develop into our leaders of tomorrow. The
Prelate commended this year's Honorary President, Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and
Greta Chraghchian, and Exemplary Homenetmen member Mr. Koko Balian for their
decades-long dedicated service and valuable contributions to our national
life, as well as the past honorary presidents and exemplary members,
sponsors, donors, and friends.
        The program continued with welcoming remarks by Mr. Charles
Ghailian. The Homenetmen Western Region's message was delivered by Chairman
Mr. Manuel Marselian. Guests viewed two videos on the history of Homenetmen
and of the Navasartian Games. Mr. Koko Balian was honored with a plaque as
the 2018 Homenetmen Western U.S. Exemplary Member. The ribbon ceremony
followed, with this year's Honorary President Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and Greta
Chraghchian receiving the ribbon from last year's Honorary President, Mr.
and Mrs. Vicken and Nono Apelian. The official program concluded with the
centennial ceremony, which featured a candle-lighting and cake cutting by
past and present Honorary Presidents.
***
RECEPTION FOR ARMENIA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN AVINYAN
        On Friday, June 29, 2018, the Consulate General of Armenia in Los
Angeles hosted a reception in honor of a delegation from Armenia led by
Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan. The reception was attended by clergy
and lay community leaders. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
attended and conveyed his blessings and well wishes to the honored guests. 
***

RFE/RL – Armenia Report – 07/06/2018

                                        Friday, 
Pashinian Advocates ‘Fact-Based’ Decision On Amulsar Gold Mine
        • Karlen Aslanian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian holds a meeting on the Amulsar mining 
site in Jermuk, 6July, 2018
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian called for a decision on the future of 
a gold mining project at Amulsar that would be “based on facts rather than 
emotions” as he met with all stakeholders in the central Armenian province of 
Vayots Dzor on Friday.
Pashinian arrived in the town of Jermuk on the second day of his two-day tour 
of the southern and central Armenian provinces with the purpose of getting 
firsthand information about a local dispute between some members of the 
community and environmentalists on one side and an international mining company 
prospecting for gold at a nearby deposit on the other.
All roads leading to Amulsar have been blocked since June 23 by a group of 
residents of nearby communities as well as some environmental activists 
protesting against gold mining operations planned there. The protesters claim 
the operations of Lydian International, a U.S.-based mining company, would 
contaminate air and water in the mountainous area. Lydian maintains that it 
will use advanced technology to prevent any damage to the local ecosystem.
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with protesters at Amulsar, 
6July, 2018
The company, which had won exclusive rights to develop the Amulsar deposit, 
says it has suffered millions of dollars in losses and could take legal action 
if one of the largest business projects in Armenia’s history is disrupted.
More than 1,400 people employed by the company, many of them also local 
residents, have been unable to go to work for days. More than 200 Lydian 
employees demonstrated in Yerevan on July 2 against the blockage of the 
construction site at the gold deposit imposed by the protesters despite Premier 
Pashinian’s call to end the protests.
Pashinian met with representatives of Lydian, the local communities and 
environmental activists in one place to discuss possible ways of resolving the 
situation. In particular, he insisted that an inspection involving all 
stakeholders, including experts, should be carried out to provide credible 
answers to two key questions – whether the operations of the mining site affect 
the quality of water resources and the future development of Jermuk as a resort 
town.
“I believe that decisions of the government concerning the mine must be made on 
the basis of facts rather than emotions. Theoretically, one can also make 
emotional decisions, but we should understand that emotional decisions, 
especially in state governance, are not particularly useful. And secondly, we 
now have a de jure situation and every resolution of this situation has its own 
potential development. If we make any unlawful step in this situation – even 
one that is deemed unlawful not necessarily from our standpoint but at least 
from the point of view of international relations – we may face major 
problems,” Pashinian said.
Both sides appeared to agree on an inspection of Lydian’s compliance with 
environmental norms proposed by the prime minister, but neither agreed to make 
concessions in terms of the current activities on the deposit. Community 
representatives and environmental activists insisted that construction of gold 
mining and smelting facilities at Amulsar should be suspended for the period of 
the inspection, with Lydian’s representative finding such an approach 
unacceptable.
Joao Carrelo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lydian International, 
said that every day that goes by without activities costs the company about 
half a million dollars that it has to additionally find on the market. He said 
that due to the downtime to date the company has already incurred losses to 
offset which it has to find an additional $14 million.
“There has been an investment from the United States, Canada, the UK to the 
tune of over $400 million. Investors will only invest if they feel secure that 
their investment is secure and the environmental permits have been given to the 
company. As far as I know the company has used the highest standards in the 
industry in the world to ask for permits based on IFC (International Finance 
Corporation) and also EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) 
standards. So, the company has a permit to work. And it has responsibility to 
all of the stakeholders to make sure it does the best job possible to the 
highest standards in the world. That includes the investors, our workforce, the 
communities and the government of the country that we are in,” said Carrelo, 
who took up his current job in May.
Lydian’s representative suggested that inspections can be carried out in 
parallel with the mining activities. “For a responsible company every day that 
goes by without activity delays all of the benefits that this project could 
bring to the community, to the country. The international community is watching 
and they want to know whether more investments will come into Armenia,” Carrelo 
added.
In their turn activists present at the discussion said that they will continue 
to stage protests and will not unblock the roads leading to the mining site.
Armenia - Gold mining facilities constructed by Lydian International company at 
Amulsar deposit, 18 May 2018.
Lydian started construction at Amulsar in 2016 after going through a lengthy 
licensing process administered by Armenia’s former government. It pledged to 
invest more than $400 million in the deposit and more than triple Armenia’s 
gold exports which stood at an estimated $100 million last year.
Gold production at Amulsar was due to start before the end of this year. It is 
not yet clear whether the continuing protests there will delay it.
The mining project is strongly supported by the U.S. and British governments. 
The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Richard Mills, argued last year that it has 
been deemed “fully compliant” with environment protection standards set by the 
World Bank and the EBRD. The EBRD holds a minority stake in Lydian.
Mills apparently expressed concern over the disruptions when he met with Deputy 
Prime Minister Tigran Avinian on June 14. According to Avinian’s press office, 
the U.S. envoy “stressed the importance of the continuation of Lydian Armenia’s 
activities.”
According to the National Statistical Service, Lydian was the main source of 
$246 million in foreign direct investment attracted by Armenia last year.
Armenian PM Sees No Targeted Crackdown On Sarkisian Family
        • Karlen Aslanian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian presides over a government session, 
June 21, 2018
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has ruled out that any specific family 
in Armenia is being targeted after a series of high-profile revelations by 
law-enforcement agencies concerning close relatives of the country’s former 
president Serzh Sarkisian.
In separate statements on Thursday the Investigative Committee and the National 
Security Service said that two nephews of Sarkisian, who lost power under the 
pressure of the Pashinian-led protest movement in April, are implicated in 
different crimes. In particular, Hayk Sarkisian was named as a suspect in a 
reopened 2007 attempted murder case and Narek Sarkisian is currently wanted by 
police on suspicion of theft and illegal possession of weapons and drugs.
The statements were made after a search at the residence of Hayk’s and Narek’s 
father, Aleksandr Sarkisian, a controversial brother of the ex-president better 
known to the public as “Sashik.” A video of the search released by the National 
Security Service (NSS) late on Thursday showed large sums of money, expensive 
watches and artworks, numerous gold coins and pieces of jewelry found at 
Aleksandr Sarkisian’s apartment. The NSS said the legality of the items will be 
checked as part of the criminal investigation.
Aleksandr Sarkisian is thought to have made a big fortune in the past two 
decades. Unconfirmed reports in the Armenian press have said that he spent 
millions of dollars buying real estate in Europe and the United States.
Meanwhile, the State Revenue Committee in late June launched a probe against 
another brother of the former president, Levon Sarkisian, and his two children 
on suspicion of ‘illegal enrichment’ after law-enforcement authorities 
discovered nearly $7 million held by them in a commercial bank.
“We are not going after anyone’s family or individual, we follow alerts that 
law-enforcement bodies receive as well as the information that they have,” 
Prime Minister Pashinian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on 
Friday, commenting on the cases.
Pashinian, who announced a crackdown on corruption after being elected prime 
minister on May 8, excluded ‘political’ solutions to legal cases involving 
crimes.
“There is no certain plan that we follow in terms of exposure. The task is 
formulated differently. Law must be respected in the country and 
law-enforcement bodies should work effectively. Whatever happens within the 
framework of these two principles is not something that we plan, but is a 
matter that comes out of the realities,” the premier said.
Pashinian, who for years spoke about widespread government corruption as an 
opposition member, stopped short of evaluating the extent of corruption exposed 
by Armenia’s law-enforcement agencies so far. He only said that he was shocked 
by “cynicism” in some cases.Pashinian also denied that ex-president Sarkisian 
tried to contact him over the investigations concerning members of his extended 
family.
Serzh Sarkisian, who had been president for 10 years, moved to the newly 
powerful post of prime minister in mid-April but stepped down within less than 
a week after peaceful street protests led by then-opposition lawmaker Pashinian.
Armenia’s Water Operator Vows To Restore Full Service In Yerevan After Shortages
        • Marine Khachatrian
Armenia -- Residents of Yerevan celebrate the festival of Vardavar pouring 
water upon each other (file photo)
Armenia’s water operator has pledged to restore full supply in the nation’s 
capital Yerevan where residents in recent days have complained about water 
shortages amid a midsummer heat wave.
Households in many districts of the city experienced difficulties as Veolia 
Djur, a French company providing maintenance of water supply and sewerage 
nationwide, reported major breakdowns in the system and had to disconnect whole 
neighborhoods from water supply for hours.
Meanwhile, air temperatures in Yerevan and the rest of Armenia in recent days 
stayed at around 40 degrees Celsius, making it more difficult for residents to 
cope with water shortages.
Gor Grigorian, an operations director at Veolia Djur, said on Friday that water 
supply in the whole of Yerevan will be restored already on July 7, incidentally 
the eve of Vardavar, a religious festival in Armenia during which people 
traditionally pour water on each other in the streets.
Grigorian did not deny that the company experienced problems with supplying 
water during the past week due to a major breakdown in the system that the 
water utility manager described as unprecedented for Yerevan.
“Sometimes breakdowns require much time to repair. Here it coincided with hot 
weather, a breakdown of pumps and a breakdown of the water main. We have never 
had such a coincidence,” Grigorian said.
Veolia Djur’s operations director said that 90 percent of the problems have now 
been solved and all problems will have completely been solved by tomorrow after 
which full water supply of Yerevan will be ensured.
The French company worked in Yerevan alone for a decade before becoming a 
nationwide water operator in 2016.
Mayor Of Armenian Town Resigns After PM’s Visit
        • Karlen Aslanian
Armenia - Kapan mayor Ashot Haryapetian stands next to Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian at a public rally in the town's central square, Kapan, 07Jul2018
Ashot Hayrapetian, the mayor of Kapan, has announced his resignation hours 
after the visit of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to the southern Armenian town.
The information was confirmed to RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) by 
the mayor’s spokeswoman Armine Avagian.
Premier Pashinian was in Kapan as part of his tour of the Syunik province on 
Thursday. There he got a warm reception as held a public rally in the town’s 
central square where hundreds of local residents had an opportunity to pose 
questions to him. At the same time, Kapan residents booed at the town’s mayor, 
a member of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), who stood next 
to Pashinian during the rally.
“You were installed here by the HHK; your regime is in the past,” Kapan 
residents shouted to Hayrapetian in the square, showing their anger.
After announcing his resignation Hayrapetian wrote in a Facebook post: “My 
ideas about how to continue programs for the community and expectations of the 
public are different.”
Hayrapetian is one of several HHK-affiliated mayors to have resigned since the 
change of government in May.
HHK leader Serzh Sarkisian, who had been president for 10 years, moved to the 
newly powerful post of prime minister in mid-April but had to step down within 
less than a week under the pressure of peaceful street protests led by 
then-opposition lawmaker Pashinian.
Pashinian was voted in as prime minister on May 8 by a parliament still 
dominated by the HHK. The Sarkisian-led party officially lost its parliamentary 
majority in the subsequent weeks as several lawmakers quit its faction.
As the focus of protests shifted to local government bodies, leaders of several 
Armenian communities, including the majors of Armavir, Hrazdan and Echmiadzin, 
resigned in recent weeks.
Activists in Yerevan have also been demanding the resignation of the Armenian 
capital’s mayor Taron Markarian, a senior figure in the former ruling party.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated development the mayor of Masis, Davit Hambartsumian, 
who is also affiliated with the HHK, was arrested on Friday on charges of 
“organizing mass disturbances and committing violence and an act of hooliganism 
with the use of weapons or items used as weapons.”
Hambartsumian was already briefly arrested in May on another criminal charge 
stemming from his alleged involvement in violent attacks against opposition 
supporters who protested against Sarkisian in April.
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” comments on the statements made by Constitutional Court Chairman 
Hrair Tovmasian on Constitution Day that was marked in Armenia on July 5. “And 
who is now speaking about the protection of the Constitution? It is the person 
who was a key figure in the former Republican government and is the main author 
of the current Constitution that was tailored to the needs of former president 
Serzh Sarkisian and several others so as to ensure their continued stay in 
power… It can be certainly said today that the parliamentary form of government 
is a ticking bomb for the statehood of Armenia,” the paper contends.
In the context of the recent news that investigators have summoned former 
President Robert Kocharian for questioning in connection with a deadly 
post-election crackdown on opposition protesters in Yerevan in 2008 “Zhamanak” 
remembers the ex-leader’s infamous statement made in 1998 that he saw “no man 
in Armenia who could carry out a change of government.” “Talking to journalists 
then Kocharian elaborated on his ‘only man’ principle on the basis of which he 
ruled for 10 years, laying the foundation for two decades of kleptocracy… The 
‘only man’ myth has been busted before everyone’s eyes as Kocharian and his 
successor Serzh Sarkisian found themselves in total isolation. Criminal 
prosecution against them is a matter of days, probably weeks.”
“Hraparak” says Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian continues the “tradition” of 
former heads of government who surrounded themselves with numerous advisors. 
“According to the official website of the prime minister, Pashinian has one 
chief advisor, four advisors and seven advisors who work without a salary – 12 
advisors in total. It is difficult to say what kind of advice they give to the 
prime minister and whether he follows all of them or any of them. Let’s hope 
that he is not guided by the principle laid down in the famous saying that ‘one 
has to listen to all pieces of advice, but move on using one’s own brain’.”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” sees an upward trend in the real estate market, implying 
that it may be the result of the recent change of government implemented 
through peaceful street protests. Invoking the latest official statistics, the 
paper reports that housing prices in May went up in all districts of the 
Armenian capital. “It is difficult to say how far this is connected with the 
‘velvet’ revolution in Armenia, but it is remarkable that during the first 
three months of the year housing prices were going down as compared with the 
corresponding period of last year and in April real estate prices went up 
slightly only in several districts of Yerevan,” the paper writes.
(Anush Mkrtchian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

They deny it from the Mother See. Saint Geghard was neither sold nor damaged

  • 06.07.2018
  •  

  • Armenia:
  •  

     

1
 147

The news that the Holy Geghard kept in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin was sold or damaged is false. This was reported by the head of the information system of the Mother See, priest Vahram Melikyan.


“In the near future, it will be brought out for the worship of the believers and our people will see that the all-Christian sanctity is intact and unharmed,” he assured.


To remind, the members of the “New Armenia, New Patriarch” initiative, which invaded the Diwanat building of St. Etchmiadzin demanding the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, demanded from the clergy to show them St. Geghard kept in the museum of the Mother Cathedral. The protesters claimed that it had been sold, but in response, Arshak Srbazan told the protesters that it had not been sold, but simply that “a part of Geghard was cut off and given to a Russian mayor”. 

58 disclosures in 2 months, price: 21 billion drams. budget receipts are growing

  • 06.07.2018
  •  

  • Armenia:
  •  

107
 715

The government led by Nikol Pashinyan has managed to register a high increase in budget revenues within 2 months of being in office. At the same time, the increase was registered not so much due to the collection of taxes, but due to the anti-corruption actions taken.


Now let’s consider the abuses and embezzlements revealed from May 8 until today and evaluate their impact on the state budget. This is stated in the message published by the “Union of Conscious Citizens” NGO.


58 disclosures in 2 months, price: 21 billion drams


From May 2018 until now, a total of 58 cases of abuse with a total value of more than 21 billion drams have been revealed by law enforcement, investigative and tax authorities. This list includes such scandalous cases as the Yerevan City trade network (7.2 billion), the abuses of the “Norfolk Consulting” company (3.3 billion), the abuses in the agricultural sector (1.4 billion), the “Spayka” company (2 billion) and others. However, this list does not include those disclosures in connection with which the extent of the damage caused to the state is not yet known (Manvel Grigoryan, Vachagan Ghazaryan, “Yerevan” Foundation, etc.).


Note that about 25 percent of the above-mentioned 21 billion drams, 5 billion drams, has already been returned to the state treasury as of June 26.


Increase in tax collection in 1 month, the price: 2 billion drams


During the month of May 2018, actual tax receipts exceeded the optimistic scenario by 2%. instead of the planned 109 billion drams, 111 billion drams entered the joint treasury account in May. In other words, contrary to the experts’ prediction that “a decrease in tax revenues will be observed during the transition period”, today we can state that an increase of 2 billion drams has been recorded.


Statement of the European Union


Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia Pyotr Svitalsky also made a remarkable statement.


“We see concrete evidence that the new government is determined to root out corruption,” the ambassador said, adding that the European Union supports Armenia in this matter.


It should be reminded that 5 years ago, the European Union allocated 15 million euros of monetary support to Armenia for the fight against corruption. The Prime Minister of that time, Hovik Abrahamyan, who created and headed the anti-corruption commission, did not register any tangible results.

Davit Tonoyan visited the south-western border zone of RA, Nakhichevan region

  • 06.07.2018
  •  

  • Armenia:
  •  

     

1
 144

RA Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan visited the south-western border zone of RA (Nakhijevan region) this morning. Artsrun Hovhannisyan, spokesperson of the RA Ministry of Defense, wrote about this on his Facebook page.


“Minister Tonoyan discussed the border situation, issues related to combat service and not only with the military command. At the end of the meeting, Davit Tonoyan awarded the servicemen who brilliantly performed their combat tasks,” he wrote.

Nikol Pashinyan received the Chairman of CIS Executive Committee Sergey Lebedev

  • 07.07.2018
  •  

  • Armenia:
  •  

7
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev. 


The Prime Minister emphasized the further development and expansion of cooperation between the CIS member states in various fields and noted that the RA government is ready to continue active cooperation within the framework of the CIS. Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the initiative to declare Goris the cultural capital of the CIS and expressed confidence that the planned events will contribute to the strengthening and deepening of cultural ties between the CIS states. 

The CIS Executive Secretary highly appreciated Armenia’s involvement in the work of the organization and the effective cooperation between our country and the CIS Executive Secretariat.

Press: Margar Ohanyan and Hovhannes Tamamyan will “give the cake” to the former police chief

  • 07.07.2018
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  • Armenia:
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VERELQ presents the most notable publications of the Armenian press.


“time” the newspaper writes. “According to “Zhamanak”, soon former police chief of RA Alik Sargsyan The former head of the National Security Agency can come forward with findings against itMargar Ohanyan and former deputy police chief of RA Hovhannes Tamamyan. Both of these high-ranking police officers were dismissed from their jobs during the reign of Alik Sargsyan and imprisoned on charges of corruption and bribery. They are going to reveal Alik Sargsyan’s direct connection to those accusations, which they could not do before for the simple reason that Sargsyan was their superior at that time.”


“time” the newspaper writes. “Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol PashinyanThe issue of Amulsar mine is in a difficult situation. On the one hand, it is the “Lydian Armenia” company that has invested 12 years for the operation of the Amulsar mine and is almost close to the operation of the mine, as 80 percent of the works have been done. Pashinyan understands that regardless of the velvet revolution that took place in Armenia, Armenia has international obligations, the violation of which can put Armenia in front of serious problems, as he announced during the discussions organized on the exploitation of the Amulsar mine. On the other hand, there are the residents of Jermuk, Gndevaz and Kechut, thanks to whose struggle “Lidian Armenia” stopped the operation of the mine because they blocked the roads leading to the mine. They are convinced that the operation of Amulsar will create an external environment that will threaten their right to live safely in that area.”


“Fact” the daily writes. It turns out that during the search of the NSS Alexander SargsyanIn addition to the drugs, Saryan’s pictures, expensive watches and cars found in the house, there must have been other remarkable goods, the origin of which few people know. We are talking about a carpet that was produced in 1982 at the “Haygorg” enterprise and was the only sample of the golden fund. The name of the rug is “Armenia” and was not intended for sale. By the way, in “Haygorg” there were other carpets considered to be a unique sample, which are considered a national value. And it is still unclear for what purpose and how these and similar products left over from the past came to this or that private person. “Fact” will try to conduct its own investigation in the near future and the “Armenia” carpet Publish the details and reasons for donating to Alexander Sargsyan.”


“Publication” the newspaper writes: “The RPA does not betray its customs. On Wednesday, on the occasion of the end of the spring session of the National Assembly, the faction gathered again in Avshar, this time not Araik Grigoryan at the winery, but at home. The meeting was non-political, there was “light” drunkenness Vahram Baghdasaryan, they talked about “passing-turning, newspaper-thing”. No political thought was voiced, we wondered. “No.” How could he? “It was possible. The format and logic of the gathering were completely different. we communicated and talked with each other closely, so to speak, in a “family atmosphere”, and then we are still waiting to see what happens, will they arrest all of us, or maybe let some of them go free,” our interlocutor joked. Former prime minister Karen Karapetyanby the way, he was not present. he is not in Armenia these days. The rest, Arkady Derzhavai, Hakob Beglaryan, political corps, were present.”


“Publication” the newspaper writes: “The people of Syun are surprised Nikol Pashinyan from the visit. Liska’s whip, Vog 37 people who are used to the methods are amazed how “a man with pants and a T-shirt, a cap on his head, and a beard can come and talk to us.” They will not be forced to go to the meeting, nor will they be told what questions to ask. “As if the prime minister had not come, but there was an opposition rally,” said the residents of Syun. This visit was immortalized by several episodes: reprimanding the mayor in Goris for free transport, in Meghri on the subject of garbage at the customs office, and in Kapan, when the mayor tried to answer the question, people whistled. “It was a shame, they didn’t do proper hospitality, they didn’t set up a stage or anything, they asked a few questions: elevator, gas, water, household trifles, they talked, they laughed, they took a selfie, they left. We have never seen anything like this.”


“time” the newspaper writes. “According to “Zhamanak”, it has been a long time since they left Etchmiadzin under arrest. Manvel Grigoryan family members, including the former mayor of Etchmiadzin Karen Grigoryan: Enterprises owned by Grigoryans either do not work or work with a small workload. For example, a bakery that used almost 2 tons of flour a day to bake bread, supplying the bread demand of several military units, is running at 10 percent capacity because it has lost its profitable business. Only Manvel Grigoryan’s daughter, Naira Grigoryan, who is a judge of the first instance court of Armavir, remained in Etchmiadzin. The latter is on vacation, which will end in September, and it is not excluded that he will write an application for dismissal after the end of the vacation. It is difficult to do justice with such, to put it mildly, broken reputation.”


“Publication” the newspaper writes: “Former First Deputy Director of the National Security Service under the Government Hrant Episkoposyan got a new job. According to our information, he has taken over Gagik Tsarukyan The position of the head of the security service of the “Multi Group” concern. We tried to contact him several times, but the unknown person asked for a phone number, promising to call, but no one ever called. We learned that it has been a long time since Episkoposyan goes to work, he sits in the building of “Yerevan Ararat Cognac, Wine, Vodka Combine”.


“Fact” the newspaper writes. “Minister of Diaspora of RA Mkhitar Hayrapetyan He presented his 2018 report to the Ethics Committee of High-Ranking Officials. declaration of assumption of office. There is almost nothing in Hayrapetyan’s statement. The minister had no assets at the time of assuming the government portfolio. He declared only monetary funds, which amounted to 4 thousand 500 euros. And he had no income, i.e. salary. We learn from Hayrapetyan’s official biography that he did not serve in the Armed Forces. 2016 Since January, he is the founding president of the “Civic Education and Youth Development Center”. He is one of the founding members of the “Civil Contract” party. 2016 was elected the chairman of the territorial organization of KP Nor Nork, while being included in the political council of the party. 2016-2018 He was the coordinator of Diaspora Affairs of CP.


“Publication”the newspaper writes: “In the deliberations of the Electoral Legislation Reform Commission under the Prime Minister, it is proposed to increase the participation of women in the National Assembly to 40 percent instead of the previous 25 percent. This proposal was hotly discussed in the legal circles yesterday, specialists who have been working on changes in the EC for years say that everything should be similar to the society, and we don’t have such a society today. “For the majority of Armenian women, their home and family is the number one goal. In fact, there are very few trained women who will be involved in politics,” said our interlocutor, expressing his puzzlement as to how they will find so many women from strong homes. won’t they bring it to the NA?”


“Fact” the daily writes. The chairman of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund made bets of millions of drams, was arrested and then released on bail. However, we will not talk about either the fund or the president of the fund. Betting, online casinos, bookmaking companies. It doesn’t matter whether you are the president of the foundation, a taxi driver, a student or a passer-by. At every step, on television, radio, billboards, in short, by all possible and impossible means of communication, we are haunted by advertisements of various gambling games. Yes, gambling, because pleasant pastime, unprecedented opportunity to get rich, and under such juicy wording is hidden the most primitive gambling. With the current availability of the Internet and online games, almost every citizen faces the risk of gambling. And the reasons are very clear, despite the change of power in the country, despite the findings of the National Security Service and other bodies, despite the really positive processes currently taking place in the country, there is no noticeable improvement in the socio-economic situation in Armenia, and there could not be in such a short period of time. Neither poverty nor unemployment has been reduced, the average income of citizens and the minimum wage have not changed.


The combination of all these creates the perfect conditions for the wide spread of the most diverse gambling games, for obvious reasons. This is quite a serious and profound problem, because unlike physical casinos, for which it is possible to apply some control mechanisms, in the case of Internet gambling, there are almost no options for state intervention, moreover, in the case of the limited control possibilities of the latter, the state also suffers a net financial loss. As a result, both thousands of bankrupt citizens and the state suffer. And online gambling continues to wake up, finally at a high level officials and individuals are obsessed with them