Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of Michigan with Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) on Thursday, October 2. Pictured from left to right: Raffi Vandevelde, Lara Nercessian, Representative Tlaib and Nishan Apigian
DETROIT—The Armenian National Committee of Michigan met with Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) last week to discuss issues important to the Armenian American community of Michigan, during which she committed to joining the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and co-sponsoring both the Artsakh Travel and Communication Act (H.Res.190) and H.Res.452, which aims to improve relations between the U.S. and Armenia.
ANC of Michigan activists including Co-Chair Lara Nercessian, Raffi Vandevelde, and Nishan Apigian discussed various legislative priorities of the Armenian American community of Michigan with Representative Tlaib, including the continued security and stability of Artsakh and permanent U.S. government recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
“On behalf of the ANC of Michigan and the Armenian American community of the Detroit Metro area, I want to thank the Congresswoman for listening to our concerns and taking swift action to support our legislative initiatives. We are thrilled to see our advocacy at work with her support of H.Res.190 and H.Res.452,” said ANC Michigan Co-Chair Lara Nercessian.
The delegation also discussed the active Armenian American community in the 13th district of Michigan, encouraging them to join them at one of their events in an effort to meet more members of the community.
“We thanked the Congresswoman for her support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.296) and her signature on the Sherman-Cox letter to continue U.S. aid for de-mining efforts in Artsakh, as well. This meeting was proof that grassroots advocacy really does make a difference, not only here at home, but also in Washington. We thank you, Representative Tlaib,” added Vandevelde.
H.Res.190, introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) would end arbitrary and outdated State Department restrictions on U.S. engagement with the Republic of Artsakh. With Rep. Tlaib’s support, the measure will have 26 co-sponsors.
H.Res.452, also spearheaded by Rep. Pallone, is a bipartisan resolution welcoming Armenia’s 2018 peaceful political transition, praising the U.S.-Armenia “strategic partnership,” and calling for upgraded bilateral cooperation on political, economic, military, and development challenges. With Rep. Tlaib’s support, the measure will have 21 co-sponsors.
‘NerUzh’ Diaspora Startup Program Application Deadline Approaching
“NerUzh” Diaspora Startup Program
Are you a Diaspora Armenian with an innovative startup or startup idea? Have you considered moving to Armenia to establish your startup in the homeland?
If YES, then check out the “NerUzh” Diaspora Startup Program, launched by the Republic of Armenia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, in partnership with FAST Foundation.
Selected applicants will have the opportunity to attend a four-day launch event at UWC Dilijan from December 16 to 20, learn about Armenia’s startup ecosystem and the benefits of doing business in Armenia, network with local partners, and develop their startup ideas. At the event, teams will pitch for a chance to win grants ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, as well as entrepreneurial support to establish their startup in Armenia. This year’s target areas are financial, social, governance, educational, mobile, internet, agricultural technologies, healthcare, robotics, engineering, and others.
Are you ready to apply? Visit the website and fill out the application form by October 21.
Asbarez: Kardashian West Touts Genocide Recognition, Armenia Inspirations during WCIT
Kim Kardashian West during her WCIT presentation on Oct. 8
Television personality and fashion mogul Kim Kardashian West took the stage on the second day of the World Conference Information Technologies in Yerevan on Tuesday for a keynote speech that highlighted the role technology plays in advancing her television and fashion empire. She also said that she remained committed to advancing the issue of Genocide recognition, especially by the U.S. government.
Kardashian West told Armenpress that she is committed to using her status to garner recognition for the Armenian Genocide and revealed that she in “internal” talks with the White House about the matter.
“I do talk about it internally at the White House, I haven’t had a private conversation about it with the President but I talk about it with advisors and that is a goal of mine and I will not give up on that,” Kardashian West told Armenpress.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kardashian West, accompanied by her sister Kourtney visited the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and paid their respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Kim and Kourtney Kardashian at Dzidzernagapert on Oct. 8
During her presentation at WCIT, Kardashian West reflected on the importance of technology in advancing her brand, and added that her visit to Armenia—her second—has inspired her to come up with some product ideas, namely a fragrance.
“I’ll be back with new ideas,” Kardashian West told a packed stadium at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Complex, where WCIT is taking palce. She explained that one her inspirations will lead her to produce a fragrance from flowers indigenous to Armenia, adding that she has not ventured into the perfume business before.
Kardashian West also informed the audience that she is seeking ways to manufacture her latest line of shapewear, SKIMS, in Armenia.
“I am definitely talking to a few major Armenian investors about hopefully trying to figure out a factory for my shapewear and trying to figure out what kind of factories you have that I can manufacture products in here,” said Kardashian West.
“We are working on that during this trip. So I have a meeting tonight actually to talk about that. So that’s something that is really important to me. My dream would be to open up a SKIMS factory here in Armenia. If not that, something else, I really want to,” Kardashian West told reports on the margins of the WCIT.
Kardashian West and her sister, Kourtney, baptized their children at Etchmiadzin on Monday, expressing pride that she was able to bring her children to Armenia to have that experience.
“I couldn’t be more proud, I had to bring my kids because just being in Armenia—I’ve been once before—but being able to bring my sister Kourtney who has never been here before, all of our children, and getting the opportunity to baptize them all yesterday here in Armenia means everything to us,” said Kardashian West, adding that they will remember this forever.
“It’s so exciting for our country, I was so excited that just people around the world are so excited to be here in Armenia for this huge tech conference. Thank you for having me. I am so proud to be here,” Kardashian West told the audience.
At this point in the presentation, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian joined her on the stage for the discussion, telling the audience that at a younger age he was looking to become a lawyer, but an investment of $12,000 proved that his future was in the IT sector.
A New Digital Platform to Connect Armenians Worldwide
Noted Armenian Americans introduce a new digital platform
Noted Armenian figures in entertainment and technology have joined forces to launch a new digital platform to connect Armenians around the world.
During a press conference on Tuesday in Yerevan on the margins of the WCIT, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian was joined by musician and activist Serj Tankian, producer of “The Promise” Eric Esrailian and president of Synopsis Armenia Yervant Zorian to announce this new platform that will be called “Highconnect.”
”We will create a pan-Armenian online platform ”High connect” that will give an opportunity to Armenians throughout the world with various preferences to be linked,” Tankian told reports who added that the venture was in its infant stages.
”For years we were thinking what to do to make Armenia attractive not only for Armenians, but also for others. We were thinking how to connect Armenians spread around the world. And after thinking and discussing for a long period we came to the conclusion that we will use our shared interests to create small communities,” explained Tankian.
Ohanian said that it was important to leverage the many opportunities that he and the others have been afforded to advance the Armenian reality.
”We must take lessons from our careers and use them for this platform, so as Armenians throughout the world, in the Diaspora can use it and prosper,” Ohanian said, emphasizing that the common idea that have brought them together.
He noted that there are networks where Armenians can keep in touch anyway, but they want to create a special zone where the people will know what they are looking for. Ohanian stressed that the project will not be a profit-generating venture.
Esrailian said that they have been discussing the idea for nearly one year, but they started thinking about it much earlier.
”It will be really a great thing to have such a platform for connection. Not only technology will develop in Armenia, but it will ensure the link between Armenia and Armenians abroad. We are very devoted to this idea and will invest all our experience,” explained Esrailian.
Serj Tankian hosts launch reception for his Kavat brand coffee
Tankian Launches his Coffee Brand in Armenia
Later on Tuesday, during a reception at Tufenkian Hotel, Tankian launched his Kavat brand coffee announcing that the product, which is being sold in the United States, will now be available to consumers in Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse, Anna Hakobyan also attended the reception.
”We started the sales of Gavat coffee in the U.S. last year. It’s my desire to present the coffee of my grandmother to the world. Coffee is part of our Armenian culture and we try to present our culture to none Armenians in a sensible way,” Tankian told those present at the unveiling reception.
Kavat coffee will be sold in supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. It will be possible to purchase it also on the online.
”I am proud to be in Armenia during this historical time when many positive changes have taken place. The Armenians I know throughout the world wish to return to Armenia and become part of the new Armenia and stay in the new Armenia,” said Tankian.
Reps. Jackie Speier and Judy Chu Arrive in Artsakh, Defying Aliyev’s Travel Ban
Representatives Judy Chu and Jackie Speier are greeted at Stepanakert Airport by ANCA-WR Board member Raffi Sarkissian
Artsakh Security and Humanitarian Aid Top Priorities for Visiting Legislators
WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Kanchelian Speier (D-CA) arrived in Stepanakert for their first visit to the Republic of Artsakh, sending a powerful message to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime that threats to “blacklist” U.S. legislators will not deter them from traveling to Artsakh and engaging in democratic dialogue with its citizens, elected officials, and civic leaders, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
Reps. Jackie Speier and Judy Chu meet with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian on Oct. 8
Representatives Speier and Chu are in Artsakh for a series of high-level meetings with Artsakh government officials and also to oversee U.S. humanitarian aid to the Republic, including de-mining efforts carried out by The HALO Trust. ANCA Western Region Board Member Raffi Sarkissian and ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan joined an Artsakh Government delegation including National Assembly Vice-Chair Vahram Balayan and National Assembly member David Melkumyan in welcoming the legislators to Stepanakert.
Representatives Jackie Speier and Judy Chu meet with Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan
Upon arriving in Artsakh, the members of Congress held meetings with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian and Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan who briefed the lawmakers on the latest developments in the Karabakh conflict resolution process, as well as the current situation on the frontlines.
The two officials thanked Speier and Chu for their continued efforts to advance Artsakh’s right to self-determination and its independence within Congress. Sahakian and Mayilyan also emphasized the importance of broadening U.S.-Artsakh cooperation in hopes of strengthening relations.
Rep, Jackie Speier and Judy Chu with Artsakh Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan
Artsakh Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan hosted the American lawmakers at the National Assembly, where Speier and Chu had the opportunity to address Artsakh lawmakers and other officials on efforts in Congress to ensure the security and safety of Artsakh and to expand cooperation with the U.S.
Congresswoman Chu was at the forefront of defending Artsakh’s safety and security this summer, advancing the Chu Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Bill, which advocates for the implementation of the cease-fire strengthening proposals originally put forward by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel and his predecessor, Ed Royce. The Royce-Engel proposals call for the placement of gunfire locators, an increase in OSCE observers, and a ban on snipers, heavy arms, and new weaponry along the borders between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia and Artsakh. “Adopting them is necessary for ensuring those who violate the peace are caught and stopped, and that is what my amendment encourages,” Rep. Chu told the ANCA following passage of the measure in July, noting, “the campaign of terror against the people of Artsakh must end.”
“The ANCA welcomes Congresswoman Judy Chu’s visit to the Republic of Artsakh,” shared ANCA National Board member Levon Kirakosian. “We are proud of the grassroots work the ANCA of San Gabriel Valley has done with Congresswoman Chu over the last two decades to advance the Armenian Cause. We are also proud that the ANCA-Western Region will be honoring Congresswoman Chu at their sold-out banquet this year for her work advancing a free and independent Artsakh,” Kirakosian added.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Kanchelian Speier, who also co-Chairs the U.S. House Demining and Unexploded Ordnance Caucus, has been outspoken in her calls for continued U.S. de-mining assistance to Artsakh. During a May, 2019, Capitol Hill event marking the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh cease-fire, signed by Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan, Rep. Speier explained, “I am heartened by the US contributions to de-mining, surveys, and mine education to the [Artsakh] region, but we have a duty to do more to secure the peace and prosperity there.” Rep. Speier pledged to work to ensure U.S. de-mining assistance in the Fiscal Year 2020 foreign aid bill, noting that the exclusion of funds would be “simply unacceptable and totally inhumane.” In June, Rep. Speier was among key supporters of an amendment, spearheaded by Rep. TJ Cox, which called for continued U.S. de-mining assistance. In August, Rep. Speier and Rep. Chu were among over 80 U.S. House members who called on the US Agency for International Development to honor their commitment for continued Artsakh de-mining assistance.
“We are so proud of Congresswoman Jackie Speier – a cherished member of our local community here in the Bay Area and a respected national leader in Washington, DC,” said ANCA San Francisco-Bay Area longtime advocate Haig Baghdassarian. “We warmly welcome her arrival on the free soil of the Artsakh Republic, look forward to a rewarding and productive visit, and stand ready to work with her, upon her return, to strengthen Artsakh’s security, increase U.S. funding for Artsakh humanitarian programs, and forcefully challenge Azerbaijan’s aggression.”
Just days prior to their travel to Armenia, Rep. Speier joined Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) in calling for zeroing out U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, given the Aliyev regime’s ongoing attacks against Artsakh and Armenia. Over the past week, an Armenian soldier was killed and two more injured as a result of Azerbaijani cross border attacks.
RFE/RL Armenian Report – 10/08/2019
Tuesday,
Former Armenian Police Chief Sacked Again
• Karlen Aslanian
Armenia -- Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan talks to police Colonel
Valeri Osipian during a rally in Yerevan, April 29, 2018.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday dismissed his chief adviser Valeri
Osipian who headed the Armenian police until last month.
Osipian was given the government post immediately after being sacked as police
chief on September 18. He reportedly went on a two-week unpaid leave two days
later.
Pashinian and his office gave no clear explanations for his successive
decisions to fire Osipian. In a September 18 statement, the police general
promised to “talk about the reasons for my departure later on.” He has made no
further public statements since then.
Pashinian named Osipian to run the national police service in May 2018 two days
after being elected prime minister following weeks of anti-government protests
led by him.
Osipian was until then a deputy head of Yerevan’s police department responsible
for public order and crowd control. He personally monitored many
anti-government rallies staged in the Armenian capital during former President
Serzh Sarkisian’s rule. Osipian frequently warned and argued with Pashinian
during the 2018 “Velvet Revolution” that toppled Sarkisian.
During his tenure Osipian repeatedly claimed to have eliminated corruption in
the police ranks. While not denying this, critics blamed him and the new
authorities for Armenia’s rising crime rate.
Osipian was sacked as police chief two days after the resignation of Artur
Vanetsian, the influential director of Armenia’s National Security Service
(NSS). As he announced his resignation Vanetsian criticized Pashinian’s
leadership style, saying that it runs counter to “the officer’s honor.”
Pashinian hit back at him in equally strong terms.
Karabakh Set For Tight Presidential Race
• Naira Nalbandian
Nagorno-Karabakh - The main government buildings in Stepanakert, September 7,
2019.
Nagorno-Karabakh will hold early next year a presidential election which is
expected to be the most democratic, competitive and unpredictable in its
history.
The Armenian-populated territory’s foreign minister, Masis Mayilian, became on
Tuesday the latest local political heavyweight to join the unfolding
presidential race. In a statement posted on Facebook, he pointed to the
existence of necessary “prerequisites” for the proper conduct of the vote.
Mayilian had unsuccessfully challenged Karabakh’s current president, Bako
Sahakian, in a presidential election held in 2007. Sahakian is not eligible to
seek another term in 2020.
Nagorno-Karabakh -- Karabakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian speaks to
reporters in Stepanakert, September 8, 2019.
The other major candidates are Karabakh parliament speaker, Ashot Ghulian,
Arayik Harutiunian, a former Karabakh prime minister, and Vitaly Balasanian, a
retired army general and Sahakian’s former top security aide.
Balasanian was sacked in June after strongly criticizing Armenia’s Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinian. He has stepped up his verbal attacks on Pashinian
since then.
Also seeking to enter the fray is Samvel Babayan, who was the commander of
Karabakh’s Armenian-backed army during and after the 1991-1994 war with
Azerbaijan. Karabakh law bars Babayan from running from president because he
has lived in Armenia and Russia since 2004. The once powerful general claims to
have collected earlier this year over 25,000 signatures of Karabakh residents
in support of removing that legal hurdle.
Neither Sahakian nor Pashinian has endorsed any of the contenders so far.
Speaking at an August 5 rally in Stepanakert, the Armenian premier said his
government will act as a “guarantor” of the freedom and fairness of the 2020
ballot.
Pashinian described local elections held in Karabakh in early September as
“free, fair and competitive.” Non-governmental election observers from Armenia
essentially agreed with that assessment.
Nagorno-Karabakh -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (C), Karabakh
President Bako Sahakian (R) and Archbishop Pargev Martirosian leave a newly
built church in Stepanakert, May 9, 2019.
Harutiunian was until recently regarded by some observers as the election
favorite. The former premier said on Tuesday that his Free Fatherland party,
the largest in the current Karabakh legislature, will formally nominate his
candidacy at a November 9 convention in Stepanakert.
“Elections in Artsakh have always been conducted at a high level,” Harutiunian
told RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
Manvel Sargsian, a Karabakh-born analyst based in Yerevan, disagreed, saying
that Karabakh election outcomes have always been decided by administrative
resources abused by establishment candidates. The forthcoming ballot will be
far more democratic, he said.
“The administrative resources will not work anymore,” said Sargsian. “Why?
Because those individuals who were sacked [after Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’]
thought that they still have some influence. These [recent local] elections
showed that this is not the case.”
Kim Kardashian Reaffirms Desire To Do Business In Armenia
• Anush Mkrtchian
Armenia -- Reality TV star Kim Kardashian speaks at the World Congress on
Information Technology in Yerevan, October 8, 2019.
American reality-television star Kim Kardashian confirmed that she is
considering manufacturing her shapewear line or other products in Armenia as
she attended on Tuesday an international conference held in Yerevan.
“I’m definitely talking to a few major Armenian investors about hopefully
trying to figure out a factory for my shapewear and about trying to figure out
what kind of factories you have that I can manufacture products in here,”
Kardashian told reporters.
“We are working on that on this trip,” she said. “I have a meeting tonight
actually to talk about it. That’s something that’s really important to me.”
“I’d definitely love working with Armenian businesses and companies that are
based out here and my dream would be to open up a SKIMS [shapewear] factory
here in Armenia and, if not, something else. I really want to,” added
Kardashian.
Kardashian pledged late last month to explore business opportunities in her
ancestral homeland in response to an appeal from an Armenian-American lobby
group which noted that SKIMS items are already produced in Turkey.
The 38-year-old mother of four was visiting Armenia for the second time in four
years to attend the latest World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT).
Interviewed on stage by fellow businesswoman Magdalena Yesil, she spoke about
her social media and business experiences and offered advice to female
entrepreneurs.
Armenia -- Reality TV star Kim Kardashian walkes on stage during the World
Congress on Information Technology in Yerevan, October 8, 2019.
Kardashian also said: “When I heard they were holding a tech conference in
Armenia I couldn’t say yes fast enough. It was the best excuse to come here
again.”
The two women were later joined by three other panelists, including Alexis
Ohanian, the Armenian-American co-founder of the Reddit social media platform.
Kardashian, who often states her pride in being of Armenian descent, arrived in
Armenia together with her older sister Kourtney and their children. The latter
were baptized on Monday at the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church
located in the town of Echmiadzin.
"No special ceremony has taken place,” said Father Vahram Melikian, a spokesman
for the church’s Mother See. “Like all other families, they were registered in
advance and came here as scheduled."
In 2015, Kardashian baptized her eldest daughter, North, in an Armenian church
in Jerusalem.
Speaking at the WCIT session, she said: “I had to bring my [three] kids because
just being in Armenia … being able to bring my sister Kourtney, who had never
been here before, all of our children, and getting the opportunity to baptize
them yesterday here in Armenia means everything to us. We’ll have these
memories forever.”
Russian Management Of Armenian Rail Network Under Review
Armenia - A railway bridge in Lori region.
The chief executive of the Russia Railways (RZD) company managing Armenia’s
railway network met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday to discuss
the uncertain future of its operations in the country.
RZD runs the network called South Caucasus Railway (SRC) in line with a 30-year
management contract signed with the former Armenian government in 2007. The
deal committed it to investing $230 million in Armenia during the first five
years of operations and another $240 million in the following years. The
state-run company, which operates Russia’s vast network of railways, claims to
have honored those commitments.
Law-enforcement officials raided the SRC offices in Yerevan and confiscated
many documents kept there in August 2018 three months after a dramatic change
of Armenia’s government. They subsequently launched criminal proceedings
against the company, saying that it is suspected of large-scale fraud.
RZD and SCR denied any wrongdoing. None of their executives in Armenia are
understood to have been charged to date.
Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (R) meets with Oleg Belozerov, chief
executive of Russian Railways, Yerevan, October 8, 2019.
Russia’s Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Tokarev warned last month that RZD
is considering unilaterally scrapping the 2007 contract because the continuing
investigation prevents it from “operating normally” in Armenia. “Our arguments
about compliance with the terms of the contract are ignored,” Russian media
quoted him as saying.
Earlier in September, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian defended the probe and
said the Armenian government is “actively” discussing the matter with the
Russian side.
Pashinian’s office reported few details of his meeting with RZD’s visiting
chief executive, Oleg Belozerov. It said vaguely that they discussed “prospects
for making investments and implementing concrete projects in the future.”
RZD did not immediately issue statements on Belozerov’s talks with Pashinian.
Press Review
“Zhamanak” attacks several dozen former officials and public figures who issued
on Monday a joint statement calling for former President Robert Kocharian’s
release from prison. The paper extremely critical of Kocharian says their
appeal is an attempt to “mobilize” groups and individual Armenians that are
unhappy with last year’s “Velvet Revolution.” It also contends that Kocharian
has failed to form a broad-based opposition coalition promised by him earlier
this year. “The public relations campaign has clearly gained more momentum but
in the political sense there is no united opposition,” it says.
“Hraparak” hails the holding of the World Congress on Information Technology
(WCIT) and other international events in Armenia. “Even if this congress gives
Armenia no tangible results in the form of agreements and programs, even if a
lot of money is spent from our budget on the organization of the congress, any
person entering the country, be it a tourist or IT professional, will bring and
take something back with them,” argues the paper. “Not to mention money spent
by them in our country. Such events and especially the spectacular
[WCIT-related] concert organized in [Yerevan’s] Republic Square will leave
their mark on our mindset, worldview and taste.”
“Zhoghovurd” also welcomes the WCIT forum in Yerevan while lamenting the fact
that global Internet giants such as Google, Facebook or YouTube have no offices
in Armenia. “These companies tend to have representatives in countries with
large markets and potential profits,” writes the paper.
(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
ACNIS reView
The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) summit held in Yerevan on October 1 caused a strong reaction in Armenia and the member countries of that event. And if the participation of the Prime Minister of Singapore and the President of Iran at the summit was of interest outside of Armenia, then inside Armenia, as expected, passions were heated around the person of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last time the Russian President visited Armenia was almost three years ago. And after the change of power that took place as a result of the “Velvet Revolution”, all of Pashinyan’s bilateral meetings with Putin took place either in Moscow or internationally. in gatherings.
All that time, debates about the nature of Armenian-Russian relations did not stop in Armenia. Many believed that the policies of the new authorities had worsened those relations. Such sentiments were kept hot by some Russian figures and mass media, drumming up the topic of “Armenia’s withdrawal to the West”. And from the moment information about the preparation of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Council in Yerevan appeared, the only topic of conversation became the topic of the visit of the Russian President to Yerevan. For some reason, he had the opinion that Putin will not come to Yerevan because he is “upset” with Pashinyan. The body very few were interested in the summit issue. But what happened happened.
At the first meeting of the heads of state, Putin looked very gloomy indeed. Apparently, it was not easy to feel in the role of one of the many leaders of the states in the territory of the state, which is often perceived as a “vassal” of Russia. Having a meeting at the airport, according to the protocol, being received by the head of the Armenian government on an equal footing with everyone is somewhat unusual. It is more common to visit Armenia at your own discretion, as it was years ago. I still remember how years ago his plane landed not in the capital of Armenia, but in Gyumri, where the Russian military base is located. the military base. And the president of Armenia was forced to leave at that time and meet him right there.
But times are changing. Global trends indiscriminately force everyone to revise their ideas of communicating with partners, and even with those whom they have never considered partners. Driven into a corner by Western countries, Russia can no longer rely on the Eurasian Union. The situation imperatively requires to go out into a wider space and into the sphere of relations between the leading countries. And here he has to change his evaluations in relation to traditional partners. The club called EATM has now turned into just a mechanism for expanding a new network of global relationships.
For the first time, this trend appeared in 2019. June 6-8 during the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. We are talking about the unprecedented bid of Russia and China to form a comprehensive partnership in strengthening global strategic stability. The magnificent reception shown to the Chinese President Xi Jinping by the President of that country, Putin, as well as the epoch-making statements leave no room for doubt in the far-reaching intentions of the two countries. Against the backdrop of the PRC’s brutal trade war against the United States, the similar intentions of Russia and China seem fatal for the whole world.
Even then, it became obvious that on the eve of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and during its holding, the two superpowers were playing the most important games against Armenia. On the eve of the meeting, the press secretary of the Russian president specially emphasized that in addition to the president of the People’s Republic of China, they are waiting for the prime minister of Armenia. Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that Armenia is an important partner of China in the “civilization” policy of his country. After that, the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia took place, and an agreement on a visa-free agreement was signed between the two countries.
And, as evidenced by the demonstrative actions of “affection” towards the Prime Minister of Armenia during the days of the forum, the questions put to him in all directions for the purpose of “testing his strength”, Armenia was not waiting for nothing in St. Petersburg. The fact that Armenia was offered a special place in the bid of Russia and China to form a comprehensive partnership was quite transparently demonstrated. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Pashinyan did not hide in his speeches that Armenia has something to offer to the changing international format. There was a willingness to turn Armenia from Iran to the Eurasian space and of the transport corridor stretching to Europe. Pashinyan stated that EAEU membership cannot be an obstacle in shaping Armenia’s relations with China, the European Union and others. It is also noteworthy that important figures from other post-Soviet states, who are usually present, were absent in the mentioned debates. It seems that there is little to connect them in the new perspective.
If we look at the EAEU summit held in Yerevan today, we can clearly see the continuation of the trends manifested in the St. Petersburg summit. With the efforts of the Armenian government, the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Lo and the President of Iran Hassan Rouhani arrived in Yerevan in advance and participated in the work of the Eurasian Higher Economic Council. During this year, the Prime Minister of Armenia was on an official visit to those two countries, where the agreements were reached. And the agreement on the free trade zone between Singapore and EAEU was already signed in Yerevan. The meeting of the presidents of Russia and Iran also took place separate meeting.
In the evening, it became clear that the ice has melted in the relations between Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan. During their meeting, the Russian president stated in high spirits that the results of the summit were “really good”, including “from the point of view of the development of relations with our partners in third countries… There was no failure, on the contrary, all the agreements between the participating countries of that union were reached within the framework of the organization. Here is the person who made the most efforts for such effective work. I want to congratulate you, as the EAEU president, on the results of the summit held in Yerevan.”
On the eve of the summit, the Russian press did not hesitate to write that “Yerevan summit will go down in history”, referring to the participation of the Prime Minister of Singapore and the President of Iran. Undoubtedly, for Russia, this very aspect is crucial. And the curtseys addressed to India, China and other countries in Yerevan only confirm the opinions that the “Yerevan undertaking” is valued as a basis for the implementation of new global initiatives. Time will show how these initiatives can be drawn into the Western political-economic concept.
Manvel Sargsyan
ACNIS reView
On October 3, the Armenian Center for Strategic and National Studies (SCSAR), the Armenian arm of international and public analysis, celebrated its 25th anniversary with an official reception at its office.
Ambassadors, honored guests of world fame, local and international analysts, current and former employees of the Center, representatives of the press and civil society gathered to speak their hearts to this scientific research center, which has provided impeccable service to Armenian democracy for a quarter of a century, to promote the establishment of universal policies, to ensure the free competition of ideas and ideas, and to replenish the personnel arsenal of expert-researchers.
Raffi K. Hovhannisyan, the founder-navigator of this “mother vessel” that has become a forge of thought and the first minister of foreign affairs of the Republic, greeted the gathered and all-time supporters of the center, including mentioning the brilliant intellectual Tigran Hayrapetyan, who stood at the beginnings of RAHAP.
– he said – 25 years ago, and during all these years, under the most difficult circumstances, the RAHAP introduced national and international expert markers, relic by relic, bringing to the arena internal and external in-depth observations in line with the imperative of the day and the century. As a pioneer and the first independent “think tank” among us, the RAHAP has firmly registered our diaspora nation on the map of global geopolitics.
On the occasion of the memorable anniversary, RAHAP issued special profilebriefly covering the most important milestones and lasting pages of his biography of his quarter-century path, full of ups and downs, but without grass. And these are the multi-thematic volumes of political analyzes and comments, monographs, local and international forums on the most current issues in the field of political science, sociological researches and public interest discussions of their results, training courses for young experts and a number of other directions.
The Armenian Center for Strategic and National Studies is a leading analytical institution operating in Yerevan. As a non-profit institution, it is committed to multidisciplinary, professional research and analysis, seeks to raise the level of national discourse and expand civic engagement in the policy-making process, promoting more comprehensive public knowledge.
Being founded in 1994 According to Raffi Hovhannisyan, the first minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Armenia, over the years, RAHAP has gained a significant reputation as a primary source for expert analysis of a wide range of national and international policy issues. A brilliant constellation of domestic political scientists, expert-analysts, as well as public-political and state figures passed through the strategist.
ACNIS reView #33, 2019_Editorial_A Quarter-Century in the Public’s Service: ACNIS Marks 25th Anniversary
On October 3, the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), the country’s original institute of strategic policy analysis and global affairs, marked the 25th anniversary of its founding with an official reception at its headquarters.
Ambassadors and other dignitaries, local analysts and international specialists, current and former ACNIS employees, media professionals and members of the public gathered in a show of appreciation for a quarter-century of service to Armenian democracy, institutional policy making, and free competition of ideas.
Raffi K. Hovannisian, this Armenian think-tank “mothership’s” founding captain and the Republic’s first minister of foreign affairs, welcomed the assembled guests and the Center’s associates of all times including, in memoriam, the brilliant late intellectual Tigran Hairapetyan.
“ACNIS,” he said, “has over the past 25 years and in the most challenging of circumstances engaged national and international expert resources to deliver strategic work product on the critical domestic and foreign policy issues of the day…and of the century. The Center, as Armenia’s first independent ‘think tank,’ has firmly registered our worldwide nation upon the map of global geopolitics.”
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the Center has released a special 2019 Strategic Summary briefly illustrating the year’s most important landmarks and the Center’s quarter-century chronology. The remaining pages encapsulate volumes of political analysis and work product on different topics, monographs, national and international forums on the most fundamental issues in the political field, sociological research and public-interest discussions of their results, training of young experts, and a number of other directions.
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies is a leading strategic research center headquartered in Yerevan. As a non-profit institution committed to conducting professional multi-disciplinary research and analysis, it strives to raise the level of pan-national discourse and seeks to broaden civic engagement in the policy-making process, thus fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge.
Founded in 1994 by Raffi Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs, ACNIS has acquired over the years a prominent reputation as a primary source of independent expertise covering a wide range of national and international policy issues. A brilliant constellation of Armenian political scientists, researchers, and policy-analysts, as well as public, political and state figures has been forged by their passage through the halls of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies.
ACNIS reView #33, 2019_Analysis_EAEU Yerevan Summit: what is happening in the world?
The Summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Yerevan on October 1 sparked an impetuous response in Armenia and in the member states of the event. And if the presence of the Singapore Prime Minister and the Iranian President at the summit was of interest outside of Armenia, then, inside Armenia, as expected, there was a stir among Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last time the Russian president visited Armenia was almost three years ago. And since the change of power following the Velvet Revolution, all Pashinyan’s bilateral meetings with Putin have taken place either in Moscow or at international meetings.
During that time in Armenia the debate over the nature of the Armenian-Russian relations did not stop. Many believed that the policies of the new authorities worsened those relations. Such sentiments kept some Russian figures and mass media drumming on the theme of “Armenia’s move to the West.” Since the appearance of information on the preparation of the Summit of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Yerevan, the only topic of conversation has been the topic of the arrival of the President of Russia in Yerevan. For some reason, the prevailing opinion was that V. Putin would not come, as he was “offended” by N. Pashinyan. The very problems of the EAEU summit were of little interest to anyone. But that’s what happened.
Putin really looked extremely gloomy at the first meeting of the heads of state. Apparently, on the territory of the state — often perceived as a “vassal of Russia” — it is not easy to feel in the role of one of the many leaders of states. Having a meeting at the airport according to the protocol, being accepted by the head of the Armenian government on an equal basis with everyone is not very customary. It is more habitual to visit Armenia at their own discretion, as it was years earlier. One can recall how years ago his plane generally landed not in the capital of Armenia, but in Gyumri, where the Russian military base is located. And the Armenian president was then forced to go and meet him there.
But times are changing. Global trends are forcing everyone to adjust their ideas about relationships with partners – even those who have never been considered a partner. Russia, driven into a corner by Western countries, can no longer Russia can no longer rely on Eurasian Union. There was an imperative to enter a wider space and into the sphere of relations between leading countries. And here you have to change your attitude towards your traditional partners. The club under the name of the EAEU has now become only a mechanism for deploying a new network of global relations.
For the first time, this trend manifested itself during the international economic forum in St. Petersburg on June 6-8, 2019. It is about an unprecedented bid by Russia and China to forge a comprehensive partnership to strengthen global strategic stability. The pompous reception given by the Russian leadership to President of China Xi Jinping, who arrived in this country, as well as statements of an epoch-making nature, leave no doubt about the far-reaching intentions of both countries. Against the backdrop of a tough trade war between China and the United States, such intentions of Russia and China look fateful for the whole world.
At that time, the circumstance proved that on the eve and during the international economic forum in St. Petersburg, both superpowers demonstrated the most important gestures in relation to Armenia. On the eve of the forum, the press secretary of the Russian president then emphasized that, in addition to the chairman of the PRC, the Prime Minister of Armenia was expected. Earlier, the head of China, Xi Jinping, stated that Armenia is an important partner of China in its “civilizational” policy. After that, the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC to Armenia took place and an agreement on a visa-free regime between the two countries was signed.
And as shown by the demonstrative acts of “politeness” to the Prime Minister of Armenia already in the days of the forum, questions asked to him with the aim of “testing for strength” in all directions, Armenia was not in vain waited in St. Petersburg. Transparently enough, the fact that in the bid of Russia and China for the formation of a comprehensive partnership, Armenia was invited to take a special place. It is noteworthy that the Prime Minister of Armenia Pashinyan in his speeches did not hide that Armenia has something to offer in the emerging international configuration. The readiness was expressed to turn Armenia into a transport corridor from Iran to the Eurasian space and Europe. Pashinyan stated that membership in the EAEU cannot be an obstacle to the formation of relations between Armenia and China, the European Union, etc. It is also noteworthy that in these discussions there were no familiar important persons from other post-Soviet states. Apparently, little is associated with them in a new perspective.
If today we look at the EAEU summit in Yerevan, we can clearly see the continuation of the trends that have manifested themselves at the St. Petersburg summit. Through the efforts of the Armenian government, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who participated in the work of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, arrived in Yerevan in advance. During this year Armenian Prime Minister N. Pashinyan paid official visits to both of these countries, where these agreements were reached. And already in Yerevan, an Agreement was signed between Singapore and the EAEU on a free trade zone. A separate meeting was held between the presidents of Russia and Iran.
By evening it became clear that the ice in the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan had melted. At their meeting, the Russian president in high spirits announced that the results of the summit are “really good,” including “in terms of developing ties with our partners from third countries … There is not a single glitch – on the contrary, all agreements have been reached in within the framework of the organization between the countries participating in this union. You are the person who has made every effort for such effective work. I, as the EAEU Chairman, want to congratulate you on the results of the summit in Yerevan.”
On the eve of the summit, the Russian press did not hesitate to write that “the summit in Yerevan will go down in history,” referring to the participation in it of the Prime Minister of Singapore and the Iranian President. Undoubtedly, this aspect is of key importance for Russia. And the curtsies made in Yerevan towards India, China, Egypt and other countries, only confirm the opinion that the “Yerevan Initiative” is assessed as the foundation for the implementation of new global initiatives. How these initiatives can fit into Western political and economic concepts – time will tell.
Manvel Sargsyan