Category: 2019

ANCA Statement on House Democracy Partnership Visit to Armenia

Lilit Nahapetian
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8 hours ago

House Democracy Partnership to visit Armenia on Wednesday

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian offered the following comment regarding this week’s U.S. House Democracy Partnership visit to Armenia.

“This week’s working visit to Armenia by a delegation representing the bipartisan U.S. House Democracy Partnership (HDP) provides an opportunity for U.S. legislators to engage directly with their counterparts in the Armenian Parliament, and to witness, first-hand, Armenia’s remarkable recent progress – from its internationally acclaimed constitutional transfer of power and universally praised free and fair elections to its broad-based democratic development and advances in good governance.”

“The growth of ties between the House Democracy Partnership and the Armenian Parliament will advance key ANCA policy priorities:

  • Strengthening the legislative component of the U.S.-Armenia partnership (constructively balancing executive branch influence).
  • Further empowering Armenian American constituents as central stakeholders in expanding U.S.-Armenia cooperation.
  • Driving progress toward a sustained, strategic upgrade of U.S.-Armenia political, economic, and military relations.”

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 04/16/2019

Khoyetsian Rose 
                                        Tuesday, April 01, 2019
Pashinian Unrepentant About Flag Outburst
        • Naira Nalbandian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian visits a customs terminal in Yerevan, 
April 9, 2019.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian rejected on Monday human rights activists’ and 
opposition leaders’ criticism of his angry behavior and sacking orders issued 
during a visit to a customs facility in Yerevan.
Pashinian berated a customs officer, Hayk Martirosian, for not standing at 
attention when he began inspecting the facility on April 9. He then entered an 
office and noticed an apparently dirty Armenian flag there before ordering 
everyone working in the room to be fired.
Human rights activists condemned Pashinian’s behavior, saying that he is not 
legally allowed to order such sackings. They also decried Martirosian’s 
humiliation in front of TV cameras.
Martirosian and the chief of the customs terminal resigned from their jobs 
following the incident. The State Revenue Committee (SRC), which comprises the 
Armenian customs service, denied forcing them to quit. The SRC chief, Davit 
Ananian, also claimed that Pashinian “urged,” rather than ordered, their 
dismissal.
Opposition politicians added their voice to the criticism. One of them compared 
Pashinian’s behavior to Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko’s periodical 
public outbursts, while another published an open letter earlier on Monday 
accusing the prime minister of violating labor rights.
Pashinian scoffed at the letter. “If things continue like this, the next letter 
will be about us violating Serzh Sarkisian’s labor rights,” he said, referring 
to Armenia’s former leader overthrown in last year’s “velvet revolution.”
Pashinian said that Martirosian’s failure to stand at attention in his presence 
highlighted customs officers’ lack of respect for many citizens dealing with 
the customs service. “Why do you think we are getting hundreds of letters 
complaining about customs bodies?” he told reporters.
“He could have avoid writing the [resignation] letter,” Pashinian said of 
Martirosian. “What should I do? My position is that such people must not be [in 
the customs service.]”
“I think that no action aimed at enhancing [state bodies’ proper] attitude 
towards the national flag has been as effective as that incident,” he added.
Pashinian Unrepentant About Flag Outburst
        • Naira Nalbandian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian visits a customs terminal in Yerevan, 
April 9, 2019.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian rejected on Monday human rights activists’ and 
opposition leaders’ criticism of his angry behavior and sacking orders issued 
during a visit to a customs facility in Yerevan.
Pashinian berated a customs officer, Hayk Martirosian, for not standing at 
attention when he began inspecting the facility on April 9. He then entered an 
office and noticed an apparently dirty Armenian flag there before ordering 
everyone working in the room to be fired.
Human rights activists condemned Pashinian’s behavior, saying that he is not 
legally allowed to order such sackings. They also decried Martirosian’s 
humiliation in front of TV cameras.
Martirosian and the chief of the customs terminal resigned from their jobs 
following the incident. The State Revenue Committee (SRC), which comprises the 
Armenian customs service, denied forcing them to quit. The SRC chief, Davit 
Ananian, also claimed that Pashinian “urged,” rather than ordered, their 
dismissal.
Opposition politicians added their voice to the criticism. One of them compared 
Pashinian’s behavior to Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko’s periodical 
public outbursts, while another published an open letter earlier on Monday 
accusing the prime minister of violating labor rights.
Pashinian scoffed at the letter. “If things continue like this, the next letter 
will be about us violating Serzh Sarkisian’s labor rights,” he said, referring 
to Armenia’s former leader overthrown in last year’s “velvet revolution.”
Pashinian said that Martirosian’s failure to stand at attention in his presence 
highlighted customs officers’ lack of respect for many citizens dealing with 
the customs service. “Why do you think we are getting hundreds of letters 
complaining about customs bodies?” he told reporters.
“He could have avoid writing the [resignation] letter,” Pashinian said of 
Martirosian. “What should I do? My position is that such people must not be [in 
the customs service.]”
“I think that no action aimed at enhancing [state bodies’ proper] attitude 
towards the national flag has been as effective as that incident,” he added.
Pashinian Unrepentant About Flag Outburst
        • Naira Nalbandian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian visits a customs terminal in Yerevan, 
April 9, 2019.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian rejected on Monday human rights activists’ and 
opposition leaders’ criticism of his angry behavior and sacking orders issued 
during a visit to a customs facility in Yerevan.
Pashinian berated a customs officer, Hayk Martirosian, for not standing at 
attention when he began inspecting the facility on April 9. He then entered an 
office and noticed an apparently dirty Armenian flag there before ordering 
everyone working in the room to be fired.
Human rights activists condemned Pashinian’s behavior, saying that he is not 
legally allowed to order such sackings. They also decried Martirosian’s 
humiliation in front of TV cameras.
Martirosian and the chief of the customs terminal resigned from their jobs 
following the incident. The State Revenue Committee (SRC), which comprises the 
Armenian customs service, denied forcing them to quit. The SRC chief, Davit 
Ananian, also claimed that Pashinian “urged,” rather than ordered, their 
dismissal.
Opposition politicians added their voice to the criticism. One of them compared 
Pashinian’s behavior to Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko’s periodical 
public outbursts, while another published an open letter earlier on Monday 
accusing the prime minister of violating labor rights.
Pashinian scoffed at the letter. “If things continue like this, the next letter 
will be about us violating Serzh Sarkisian’s labor rights,” he said, referring 
to Armenia’s former leader overthrown in last year’s “velvet revolution.”
Pashinian said that Martirosian’s failure to stand at attention in his presence 
highlighted customs officers’ lack of respect for many citizens dealing with 
the customs service. “Why do you think we are getting hundreds of letters 
complaining about customs bodies?” he told reporters.
“He could have avoid writing the [resignation] letter,” Pashinian said of 
Martirosian. “What should I do? My position is that such people must not be [in 
the customs service.]”
“I think that no action aimed at enhancing [state bodies’ proper] attitude 
towards the national flag has been as effective as that incident,” he added.
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” reports that an Armenian parliament committee discussed on Monday 
a government bill that would reduce the number of ministries in the country 
from 17 to 12. The paper notes that Armenia’s government was already downsized 
under former Prime Minister Karen Karapetian and that the resulting staff cuts 
not only did not spark protests but were also backed by many Armenians at the 
time. It complains that the new government’s plans to continue that process are 
meeting with hostile reaction from some media outlets and opposition forces.
“Aravot” believes that the staff cuts must be coupled with more efficient work 
of government agencies and greater competence of civil servants. “Audacious and 
non-populist steps are needed here,” editorializes the paper. It says that 
higher wages alone will not attract competent professions to the public sector. 
It says the latter would hate work for disrespectful, whimsical and 
unpredictable ministers or other senior government officials.
Lragir.am sees a growing “wave of sabotage” against Pashinian’s government. 
“Workers of enterprise whose profits are at risk are speaking out against 
layoffs,” writes the online publication. “In the last ten days this has been 
the case at three large enterprises: Spayka, the Ararat Tsement plant and 
Gazprom Armenia. In all three cases the factors of sabotage and blackmail are 
evident. The state is trying to play a regulatory role but the companies 
accustomed to old patterns of kickbacks and deals are failing to reach legal 
common ground with the government and are resorting to blackmail.”
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Vice Speaker Lena Nazaryan: Tensions in the region impede the expansion of economic cooperation

Emil Lazarian
Arminfo, Armenia
Ani Mshetsyan

ArmInfo. Tensions in the region impede the expansion of economic cooperation between some of the PA BSEC member countries. On April 16, Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Lena Nazaryan stated this on April 16 at the 52nd  meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the  Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PA BSEC) on culture, education and  social issues.

She noted that this problem, like many other problems, can be solved  by developing inter-parliamentary dialogue. According to the  vice-speaker, the inter-parliamentary format of cooperation is  appropriate for discussing and resolving regional issues.  “The  authorities consider inter-parliamentary cooperation as an  opportunity to increase the level of security between the PA BSEC  member countries. This is an excellent opportunity to lay the  foundations for building relations based on mutual understanding,”  she said.

Nazaryan also noted that the authorities of the country intend to  carry out an economic revolution. “In realizing our goal of realizing  the economic revolution, we pay a lot of attention to stimulating  investments.  In Armenia, after the revolution, the authorities carry  out reforms in a number of sectors. In particular, the judicial  system is being reformed, the security system is being strengthened,  the pension system is also being reformed, “the vice-speaker  concluded. 

Lynne Tracy: The settlement of the Karabakh conflict will have a positive impact not only on Armenia, but also on the entire region

Bedik Zaminian
Arminfo, Armenia
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. In the recent few months, there have been positive shifts in the process of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne  Tracy stated on the air of Radio Azatutyun.

According to her, several successful meetings took place between the  Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan, which can  be assessed positively and constructively. “We see that the number of  incidents on the line of contact of troops has decreased. And this is  all due to contacts between the leaders of the two countries. And we  would like this dialogue to continue. But, this is a difficult  negotiation process, and we will continue to work with the parties to  the Karabakh conflict, find a peaceful solution to the problem, “she  said, adding in this context that from the US point of view,  resolving the conflict will have a positive impact not only on  Armenia, but also on the entire region – on its development and  prosperity.

Crimea to establish museum district on the basis of Aivazovsky Gallery

Torgomian Varazdat
Panorama, Armenia
Culture 12:22 16/04/2019 World

A museum district will be created on the basis of the Aivazovsky National Art Gallery in Feodosia (Theodosia), the Crimea in the next two years, TASS reports, citing Crimean leader Sergey Aksyonov.
The top official said leading experts from the Tretyakov Gallery have arrived in Crimea to assess the museum fund.

“Such a program has never been implemented in the Crimea or in Russia’s south,” he said on Facebook.

The Russian news agency says the museum district will be set up under a federal target program, with some of the funds to be allocated by the Ministry of Culture, while the Aivazovsky Gallery and the house of his sister will remain the property of Theodosia.

The gallery runs in the house designed by Aivazovsky in 1848. Later, the artist built a large exhibition hall adjacent to it. The galley holds the largest collection of the seascape painter’s artworks, featuring over 400 paintings and graphic works.

Hovhannes (Ivan) Aivazovsky Aivazovsky (1817–1900), 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. 

At the age of 20, he graduated from the Art Academy of St. Petersburg with a gold medal. He moved to Italy to continue his studies and returned as an internationally acclaimed seascape painter. Neither financial security nor life in Palace interested him. He returned to his native land, built a studio on the seashore and, until the last days of his life, dedicated himself to the work that he loved. 

Armenian sappers clear 10,000 square meters area in Syria

Chmshkian Vicken
Panorama, Armenia

The sappers of the Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria have resumed the mine-clearing operations in Aleppo after several days of training and technical explorations.

The Armenian Humanitarian Demining and Expertise Center maintains daily contact with the group’s commander Ara Martirosyan, the center said.

According to him, they come across both anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are not few either. Mine clearing operations are carried out in compliance with international standards.

Overall, the Armenian sappers have cleared an area of more than 10,000 square meters so far, the center said. 

Opera: Kaj Nazar review at Bishop Centre, London – ‘witty revival of Armenia’s first comic opera’

Dabaghian Diana
The Stage, UK
                    The cast of Kaj Nazar at Bishop Centre, London. Photo: Zorik Gasparian
by Yehuda Shapiro – Apr 16, 2019

Kaj Nazar by Haro Stepanian, billed as Armenia’s first comic opera, has not been seen since its premiere in Yerevan in 1935. It was possibly a victim of Soviet displeasure.

Its title, which means Nazar the Brave, is not without irony. Drawing on traditional stories and a narrative by the poet Hovhaness Toumanian, it tells of a lazy, arrogant villager who somehow ends up as a supreme, war-mongering ruler. Starting off rather like the Grimm Brothers’ Valiant Little Tailor, it becomes closer to Rimsky-Korsakov’s caustic opera The Golden Cockerel.

Combining folk elements and sometimes abrasive modernism, the score is piquant, unpredictable and often witty. Its impact is assured by the conductor, Levon Parikian. The first two acts weave together flexible arioso and mercurial instrumental motifs, while Acts III and IV bring some longer-breathed numbers, including a dance sequence and a sinuous aria for Nazar’s long-suffering wife, Ustian.

Sung and played with spiky charm by Tereza Gevorgyan, she keeps close tabs on the Nazar of Berk Karazian. He pitches his comic antics precisely – this anti-hero is both exasperating and strangely endearing – while sustaining a lyrical tenor line. Aris Nadirian, London Armenian Opera’s artistic director, is a powerful vocal and physical presence as Sako, who becomes Nazar’s general, and each of the supporting singers makes a memorable impression.

Wisely, director Seta White does not encourage them to overact, not does she play for easy farcical laughs. Rather, she creates a series of almost ritualistic tableaux with simple decor, richly detailed costumes, a procession around the theatre and surreal projections such as a moon that becomes a rolling eyeball.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2019/kaj-nazar-review-bishop-centre-hammersmith-armenia-comic-opera/?login_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestage.co.uk%2Faccounts%2Fusers%2Fsign_up.popup

Verelq: The economy is the “Achilles heel” of Pashinyan’s team

Hagop Kamalian
  • 15.04.2019

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  • Armenia:

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  • arm

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  • rus

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“Araratcement” CJSC workers are on strike. they were informed a few days ago that the factory will be closed in two months and several hundred employees will be unemployed.


The new government of RA faces economic problems almost every day, which do not get a solution and force people to go to the streets. The downsizing of the state apparatus, various events surrounding business affect Nikol Pashinyan’s personal rating.


Many socio-economic problems that Pashinyan suffered from previous governments and accumulated over the past 20 years are now generating a large mass of people dissatisfied with the new government, the future electorate of those who will vote against Nikol Pashinyan.


Let’s not forget that in the conditions of the next elections, many extra-parliamentary forces will unite against Pashinyan Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan will be from the teams, as well as many other newly created spoiler parties, whose goal will be to criticize Pashinyan and steal votes.


After 5 years, there will be no revolutionary euphoria and voters will vote for specific steps and real economic results, in the absence of which a part of the electorate will either emigrate or vote for some populist parties.


Pashinyan must promptly deal with the economy, which is the Achilles heel of his team. his personal rating is high, people believe in him, but not seeing economic results and improvement of social life, they can turn into a critical mass of people dissatisfied with the government in case of active work of both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition against the background of disappointment, which in the case of RA is fraught with new demonstrations, marches and clashes.


What saves Pashinyan from the critical mass of protests is the fact that the majority of society does not want the return of the former authorities. It is the only restraining factor that the society does not partially go out on the streets, but the latent dissatisfaction is even more dangerous for a country like RA, because it will eventually lead to voting with feet, the part of the society that blocked the streets in the days of the Velvet Revolution, which does not take advantage of government positions, will simply emigrate due to deep disappointment with the new authorities.


The economic agenda in RA is as important as the agendas related to security and Karabakh.

Verelq: The mother of the director of the NSS has received a new position

Liana Toganian
  • 15.04.2019

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The mother of Artur Vanetsyan, director of the RA NSS, Margarit Azaryan, received a new position.


RA President Armen Sarkissian signed an order according to which Margarit Azaryan was appointed assistant to the RA President.


To remind, the other day the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan by decision, Margarit Azaryan was dismissed from the position of head of the personnel management department of the Prime Minister’s office.