Category: 2019

Armenian National Assembly to hold hearings on Karabakh conflict settlement soon

Toneyan Mark
ARKA, Armenia
Feb 26 2019

YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. The Armenian National Assembly’s defense and security committee will hold hearings on Karabakh conflict settlement soon, Zhoghovurd reports. 

According to the newspaper, ways to involve Artsakh into the talks will be discussed. 

Andranik Kocharyan, an MP from My Step faction, refrained from commenting on the matter. He only told the newspaper correspondent that the matter is being discussed “in our country’s interest and for enhancing and strengthening its defense ability – everything is being done for that”. 

Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.

On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan. 
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.

Some 30,000 people were killed in this war and about one million people fled their homes.  
On May 12, 1994, the Bishkek cease-fire agreement put an end to the military operations.

Тalks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group are being held over peaceful settlement of the conflict. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. -0–

Armenia, Artsakh FMs reflect on origins of the Karabakh movement

Garnik Tadevosian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 26 2019


Armenia, Artsakh FMs reflect on origins of the Karabakh movement

2019-02-26 09:52:07

Armenian Foreign Minister met with Artsakh’s Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan on Monday.

The interlocutors hailed the regular bilateral meetings and reiterated their willingness to promote consultations between the foreign Ministries of the two countries. 

In light of the 31st anniversary of the Karabakh Movement, the top diplomats of the two countries reflected on  its origins, highlighting that it was aimed at protecting the fundamental freedoms and imperative right of Artsakh people to live in their homeland. 

Newspaper: Options for returning Karabakh to negotiating table to be discussed in Armenia

Chalian Meline
News.am, Armenia
Feb 26 2019
Newspaper: Options for returning Karabakh to negotiating table to be discussed in Armenia Newspaper: Options for returning Karabakh to negotiating table to be discussed in Armenia

10:42, 26.02.2019
                   

YEREVAN. – The National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Standing Committee on Defense and Security will organize hearings in near future regarding the process to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, according to Zhoghovurd (People) newspaper.

“And as our sources claim, the main topic to be discussed will relate to the options for returning Artsakh to the negotiating table.

“And the hearings will take place in [Armenia’s capital city of] Yerevan, but there will also be invitees from Artsakh, from the parliament there.

“[But] in response to Zhoghovurd daily’s query, the chairman of this NA committee, MP of the ‘My Step’ Alliance Andranik Kocharyan, solely stated, ‘No comment.’

“We asked, ‘Do you deny that such a thing [the hearings] will happen?’ In response, Kocharyan said, ‘Everything is thought of proceeding from the interests of our country and to increase, strengthen the defense capacity of our country; everything is done in that direction,’” Zhoghovurd wrote.

Yerevan Municipality offered a number of Armenian media, which are on Municipality balance sheet, to vacate the premises within 5 days

Chmshkian Vicken
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 26 2019
Tatevik Shahunyan

ArmInfo. A number of  Armenian media outlets that are located in the building at 1/3  Byuzand Street, which is on the balance sheet of the Yerevan  Municipality, today received a notification from the city  administration, in which they are suggested to leave the occupied  territories within five days.

As editor of the Hraparak newspaper Armine Ohanyan informed, in the  notification to the Municipality, the reasons for such a decision of  the city administration are not specifically indicated. Nevertheless,  she explained that the editorial offices of the media have an  agreement on the gratuitous lease of occupied territories until 2020.  Ohanyan also assured that the editors fulfill all contractual  obligations. ArmInfo failed to get any comments from Yerevan  Municipality. A spokesman for Mayor Hakob Karapetyan assured that in  the near future they would make a corresponding statement.

To note, in the building at Buzand 1/3 Street, there are the  editorial offices of the Hraparak newspaper, the A1 + channel, the  ARKA news agency, the Hetq news agency of investigative journalism,  and the “Hayeli.am” portal. 

To recall, earlier similar notifications were received by some media  outlets (including the ArmInfo news agency), operating at  Arshakunyats 2 Street and Isahakyan 28  Street (press houses), which  are on the balance sheet of the State Property Management Committee.

Rally under “We’ll not surrender an inch of land” motto held in Yerevan

Hambik Zargarian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 26 2019
Rally under “We’ll not surrender an inch of land” motto held in Yerevan (PHOTO) Rally under “We’ll not surrender an inch of land” motto held in Yerevan (PHOTO)

19:13, 26.02.2019
                  

YEREVAN. – A rally held under “We’ll not surrender an inch of land” motto is being held in Yerevan.

The organizers claim their action does not have a political context and is aimed at sending a message to the world that the Armenian people will not allow to surrender the lands of Artsakh.

The demonstration is being held on the 31st anniversary of the Sumgait and Baku massacres. The demonstrators gathered in Tsitsernakaberd and move to the Liberty Square, and later to Yerablur cemetery.

Chess: Armenia Eagles, Tbilisi Gentlemen Clash In PRO Chess League Week 8

Lilit Nahapetian
Chess.com
Feb 26 2019


PeterDoggers
Feb 25, 2019, 7:26 PM|

8|Chess Event Coverage

Week eight of the PRO Chess League will see the Eastern Division’s top clash between the Armenia Eagles and the Tbilisi Gentlemen. The Atlantic and Pacific Divisions take off on Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. PT and the Eastern and Central Divisions will play on Thursday beginning at 7 a.m. PT.

After the second Battle Royale last week, where especially the Dallas Destiny and the Amsterdam Mosquitos surprised positively, we’ll return to the regular format in what is becoming a crucial phase leading up to the playoffs.

With the regular season lasting just three more weeks, let’s have a look at the biggest clashes on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s a week we’ll see top GMs Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov once again.

Play Fantasy!

Just learning about the PRO Chess League? Visit the site and check out the official information article.


ATLANTIC: Montreal Chessbrahs vs New York Marshalls

Despite debuting Anish Giri (5.5/7) on their top board, the Montreal Chessbrahs are looking back at a disappointing Battle Royale. Right now they would even miss the playoffs, but a win against the New York Marshalls, who top the current leaderboard, could change that.

Without Giri, Ivan Saric (16.5/20) returns as the top Brah alongside Eric Hansen (18/30), who will be looking to improve his form and score. The Marshalls are coming with no fewer than three GMs—with Sergey Zhigalko making his debut—and once again with their strong performing board four, Grant Xu (10.5/18).

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What is THIS nonsense, @chessbrahTV !?! Frank Marshall lived in Montreal for a few years but he wasn’t no ChessBrah! It’s ON!  #prochess #revenge

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PACIFIC: Chengdu Pandas vs Australia Kangaroos 

Whereas the new division leaders the Dallas Destiny are playing  the San Francisco Mechanics (currently slated for relegation), the top matchup is between number two Chengdu Pandas and number four Australia Kangaroos.

The latter will be debuting the well-known chess commentator and trainer GM Evgeny Miroshnichenko of Ukraine on top board as well as GM Max Illingworth of Australia, besides the other local, young grandmasters Anton Smirnov (13/23) and FM Raymond Song as a pretty decent board four.

Even without their biggest names, the two GMs and two IMs of the Pandas will be tough opponents for the Kangaroos. IM Bao Qilin is playing for the first time.

EASTERN: Armenia Eagles vs Tbilisi Gentlemen

The Eastern division will see a clash between the top two teams of the current leaderboard, with the title holders the Armenia Eagles taking up the Tbilisi Gentlemen.

This will be a very exciting matchup with both teams bringing three grandmasters. Those from Tbilisi, led by Baduur Jobava, are slightly higher rated but that rating edge is compensated on board four—although the 2100-player Nika Volkov (20.5/34) has been doing quite well.


CENTRAL:  Norway Gnomes vs Baden-Baden Snowballs

Even without the world champion on their team, the Norway Gnomes are doing great so far. As leaders of the Central division, they’ll be playing the Baden-Baden Snowballs, currently third. 

Both teams are bringing one 2600 GM. Baden-Baden has Georg Meier, who didn’t sit out yet and is on 21.5/34; whereas the Gnomes’ top board is Jon Ludvig Hammer (7/11). On the remaining boards, three young IMs from Norway will be facing two GMs and a WIM. 

 

Watch all the PRO Chess League action on Twitch.tv/chess, Twitch.tv/prochessleague, and Chess.com/tv on Tuesday and Thursday.

The Atlantic and Pacific Divisions play on February 26 beginning at 1:30 p.m. PT while the Eastern and Central Divisions play on February 28 beginning at 7 a.m. PT.

EPIC’s First Industry Tour to Explore Beirut’s Tech and Innovation Ecosystem

Arbi Tashjian
American University of Armenia

40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia  
Tel: (+374 10) 32 40 40; (+374 60) 69 40 40 | Fax:  (+374 60) 61 25 12  

Webpage: www.aua.am

Spring break at the American University of Armenia (AUA) will be marked this year by 14 entrepreneurs of the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) visiting Beirut, Lebanon, in the first EPIC technology industry trek. Sponsored by Tamar Capital, the trek will include visits to manufacturing operations run by successful Armenian entrepreneurs, startups and investors in Beirut’s Digital District (BDD) and the American University of Beirut.

The industry trek is designed to provide EPIC’s startup entrepreneurs with a first-hand perspective on the organizational structure, operations, work culture in companies outside of Armenia, as well as networking and sharing experience with international entrepreneurs and investors and, most importantly, connecting with Diasporan Armenians. EPIC also plans to have an industry trek to Silicon Valley this summer.

Annman Kantsyan, Founder of Edwise, says, “This trek will give me a chance to see businesses outside Armenia and discern similarities and differences with those in Armenia. I am also really excited to visit Beirut Digital District and meet entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence.” Edwise is using artificial intelligence to give filmmakers more time for creative editing by automating the most routine tasks, such as continuity editing, color correction, proper ordering, cropping shots, and sound synchronization.

BDD is the center of startup ecosystem in Lebanon. Throughout the day, the EPIC residents will meet with venture capitalists, incubators, as well as like-minded entrepreneurs who have been building and developing their startups within the difficult Lebanese ecosystem. While both Lebanon and Armenia may be different in their economic and political infrastructures, they share several commonalities, including an educated workforce and a large percent of young talent living abroad. As such, entrepreneurs from both Lebanon and Armenia will have the opportunity to discuss their challenges and opportunities, to share experiences, and to pitch their startup ventures to one another.

Margarita Muradyan from COWnet shares her anticipation: “I expect to shape our idea and our company’s steps by exploring how the startups in Beirut have tackled them. I also wish to see the infrastructure supporting startups and young people like us. And last but not least, I hope to have a wonderful time with my fellow startupers from EPIC.”

This trip has been carefully designed to enrich and to foster growth for Armenia’s young entrepreneurs. More broadly, the partnership with Tamar Capital aims to nurture the ecosystem and to continue to put Armenia on the technology map to attain international recognition.  

The team members of Evi are looking forward to this trek as they hope to meet entrepreneurs from the food waste management industry in Beirut. “I’ve recently read an article on how Lebanese entrepreneurs are taking on food waste management; this is new to their country, too. I wonder if they are going through the same hardships that we are,” mentions Elmira Poghosyan from Evi whose startup is trying to help food businesses to sell their surplus food at the end of each day thus earning revenue from waste and gaining new customers.

EPIC will be sharing photos and stories from the trek in real time. You can join this trip online by accessing .

IMF ready to discuss possibilities of assisting implementation of reforms in spheres mentioned by PM Pashinyan

George Mamian

IMF ready to discuss possibilities of assisting implementation of reforms in spheres mentioned by PM Pashinyan

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18:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received on February 25 the Executive Director at International Monetary Fund Richard Doornbosch.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Office of the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Government of Armenia attaches importance to continuous cooperation with the IMF and is interested in further deepening of constructive partnership.

According to the IMF Executive Director, Armenia is a reliable partner for IMF and the IMF is ready to provide assistance to the Government of Armenia in order to succeed in implementing the reforms initiated in different directions.

The interlocutors discussed prospects for expanding and developing cooperation.

PM Pashinyan referred to the reform agenda of the Government of Armenia, speaking about high technology promotion in the structure of the economy, reform of the Tax Code, creation of micro business, facilitation of business environment, reform of public administration and education systems, and activities under anti-corruption policy.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that by the change of the structure of the economy and promoting the use of high technologies in various sectors, the government aims at positioning Armenia as a technological country and, and taking into account the huge potential in the IT sphere, to form an export-oriented economy. According to the Prime Minister, the government’s task is to create opportunities in Armenia and to stimulate entrepreneurship so that everyone can realize their potential and contribute to the country’s development.

Emphasizing the need for institutional and expert capacities for the success of reforms, the head of the government highlighted the relevant assistance of international partner institutions, including the IMF.

Richard Doornbosch noted that the IMF is ready to discuss the possibilities of assisting the implementation of reforms in the areas mentioned by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

Reaffirming the willingness of the cooperation, Prime Minister Pashinyan suggested discussing concrete steps will relevant state bodies.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




President Sarkissian sends congratulatory message to Emir of Kuwait

Boshkezenian Garik

President Sarkissian sends congratulatory message to Emir of Kuwait

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18:58,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory message to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahi on the occasion of the National Holiday of the country.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian President’s Office, Armen Sarkissian expressed confidence that the existing friendly relations between the two states are a firm ground for further developing bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




Armenia, Iran trade turnover reached record high in 2018

Chakhmakhchian Vatche

Armenia, Iran trade turnover reached record high in 2018

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20:11,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenia-Iran trade turnover reached 364 million USD in 2018, which is an unprecedented number since 1991.

ARMENPRESS reports IRNA agency informs that last year Iranian exports to Armenia amounted to 296 million USD.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan plans to visit Iran on February 27, which will be his first visit to that country.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan