Category: 2021

Trail of state racketeering. Court of Appeals annuls ruling on lifting the ban imposed on 75% of ZCMC shares

Toneyan Mark
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 1 2021

The RA Civil Court of Appeals ruled that the Syunik Court of General Jurisdiction erred in its conclusion on lifting the ban imposed on 75% of the shares of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) and annuled the ruling, Pastinfo reports. 

To remind, Russia’s former Minister of Health and Social Development Mikhail Zurabov, who owns 12.5% of the ZCMC shares, filed a lawsuit to a court in Syunik in August this year, asking for a preference to acquire the ZCMC shares. The court not only agreed to hear the lawsuit but also applied a measure, seizing 75% of the shares of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine. 

Later on September 30, the Syunik Court of General Jurisdiction ruled to lift the seizure of shares, and a subsidiary belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Trotsenko, owner of the GeoProMining group, acquired them immediately after it. After the deal, Trotsenko granted 15 percent of the shares of the Molybdenum Combine to the Government of Armenia.  

According to the source, the stock prices were very low, nevertheless, Trotsenko could not pay the sum immediately and acquired the shares on the condition of deferred payment. In addition, there were problems with lending to the transaction, as some banks observed risks in terms of the legality of the purchase of shares and avoided granting loans. Time has proven that the concerns of the Banks were true and the risks for the legality of the purchase were more than considerable. 

As Pastinfo had reported, the representatives of Mikhail Zurabov appealed the ruling at the Civil Court of Appeals, demanding the annulment of the court ruling on lifting the measure. 

The representatives of the plaintiff declared that since the beginning of the court hearing on the measure, the plaintiff was deprived of independent and impartial judicial proceedings, pointing also to the haste on the part of the Court in taking the case into proceeding and the ruling. 

Armenia opposition MP: Iran drivers can enter Goris-Kapan road, refuel their cars with Azerbaijan fuel

David Nargizian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 1 2021
13:38, 01.12.2021

I assume that the Azerbaijanis will sell fuel at a low price on the Goris-Kapan road, and therefore if the Armenian side does not prevent the Iranian drivers from entering that road, they will go there and refuel their cars. Vahe Hakobyan, a member of the opposition “Armenia” Faction in the National Assembly of Armenia and former governor of Syunik Province, told this to reporters Wednesday at the NA.

According to him, it is known that fuel is cheaper in Iran, and therefore when entering Armenia, Iranian drivers hide this fuel in the special compartments of their vehicles.

“When our customs officers find the fuel, they force them to dump it. In this case, the Iranians can turn to the Goris-Kapan road to refuel their cars at the Azerbaijani gas station.

This road is appealing for Iranians for several conditions. First, it is wider, it is not congested, and they have cheap fuel offered by Azerbaijan. And if the same Persian passes through another customs point there, the Iranian citizen distributes that amount on the value of his cargo, which is paid by the Armenian citizen,” said Hakobyan.

He added that the alternative Tatev-Aghvan motorway is always in traffic jams, and if one big truck tries to enter its bend, all other cars are blocked there and, due to the increase in traffic flow, that section is passed in 2-3 hours.

The Azerbaijani army is creating mountain commando units. What is this?

Emma Nadirian
BBC/azeri
Ilkin Hasanov
BBC News in Azerbaijani, Baku
9 November 2021
According to AzerTaj, Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov said at a press conference with the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, General Hulusi Akar, that there are big plans for the future.
According to him, many servicemen of the commando brigades continue their service in the most important units after training in Turkey and returning to Azerbaijan.
“Most of the personnel of the Azerbaijani army were trained in the Turkish training center. Our nation, religion, language and culture are one. We took advantage of this opportunity and skillfully benefited from the experience of the Turkish Armed Forces, and we continue to do so,” Hasanov said.
Mr. Hasanov said that after the war, on the instructions of the President, analyzing the results of the war, organizational measures were again taken in the Azerbaijani army.
The Minister said that currently the Azerbaijani army is organized in accordance with the model of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Military analyst Uzeyir Jafarov told BBC News in Azerbaijani that when the minister said the new body, he was in fact talking about the creation of new mountain commando military units.
Uzeyir Jafarov said that those serving in the new military units were trained in Turkey and have already started operating in Azerbaijan.
Recently, the Defense Minister visited those new military units established in the liberated areas. These new military units are military units that can serve in those areas in accordance with the relief, “Colonel Jafarov said.
According to him, the trained servicemen were soldiers and officers who could move and serve in the most difficult mountain conditions, water and ravines.
“There will be more servicemen and junior commanders. They will be purely professionals. This is a novelty, the Turkish army has had it for a long time. Our army had only one mountain unit, and now we are increasing the number of such units,” he said. – Uzeyir Jafarov said.
The analyst also said that new engineering and fortification units had been set up in the liberated areas to clear mines.
He considers these two new military units to be “new structures” in the Azerbaijani army.
On October 19, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov visited the newly established operational (commando) military unit. According to the Defense Ministry, the Minister presented berets (hats) to the personnel who passed a long-term “Commando Training Course” in Turkey in that military unit.
In October last year, President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the Turkish TRT channel that Azerbaijan was building a smaller model of the Turkish Army.

Armenia opposition lawmaker: Why should Azerbaijanis withdraw from Ishkhanasar hills?

Nahapetian Zhanna
News.am, Armenia
Dec 1 2021
14:10, 01.12.2021

I believe that when this government changes, we will be able to get rid of them and when the interests of Armenia will be represented by people whose all real motives are in the national and state interests, then we will have also the opportunity to liberate those roads—as well as that of Chakaten. Vahe Hakobyan, a member of the opposition “Armenia” Faction in the National Assembly of Armenia and former governor of Syunik Province, told this to reporters Wednesday at the NA—and responding to reporters’ questions about the possibility of reopening of the Goris-Kapan motorway. Also, he stressed that only in this case it will be possible to bring the negotiations to a sound plane, and not to conduct them permanently under the defeats and concessions.

The opposition MP said that the “Armenia” Bloc is ready to take such a responsibility, and explained that by saying “obligation” he means bringing the state and national interests to the forefront.

Hakobyan stated that he had no information about the reports on the Azerbaijani armed forces’ withdrawal from the Ishkhanasar hills. According to him, apparently, the weather conditions have worsened there, and therefore the Azerbaijanis there have taken refuge in their fortifications in that area and are not visible at the top of the mountain, but in reality, they cannot intend to retreat due to the working style of the incumbent Armenian authorities.

“They see that a weak, ‘toothless’ person [i.e., Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan] is in front of them. How can they withdraw their troop in such conditions?” Hakobyan asked, and insisted that the Azerbaijanis have not withdrawn from the Ishkhanasar hills.

“For what should they have withdrawn? Were they afraid of our Ministry of Defense, with incomprehensible personnel changes?” the opposition lawmaker added.

Vahe Hakobyan ruled out that there could have been an arrangement during the talks between the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan last week in Sochi, Russia, regarding the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops, as no one believes Armenian PM Pashinyan’s words.


Turkey already assessing economic benefits of opening ‘Nakhichevan corridor’

Liana Toganian
News.am, Armenia
Dec 1 2021
17:39, 01.12.2021

Turkey is already assessing the economic benefits if the “Nakhichevan corridor” is opened.

The opening of a transport corridor through Nakhchivan will facilitate cargo transportation from Turkey not only to Azerbaijan, but also to other countries in the Caucasus region, and later—to Central Asia. This was stated in an interview with Anadolu news agency by Mehmet Hilmi Kagnici, Vice Chairman of the Konya Branch of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) of Turkey.

He expressed confidence that the opening of a new transport route via Nakhichevan to the western regions of Azerbaijan will lead to a sharp increase in trade between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“We hope that the Nakhchivan corridor will start operating as soon as possible. The main obstacle to the growth of trade is the lack of direct transport communication. The opening of the Nakhichevan corridor will ease the cargo flow in the region. This corridor will make trade more comfortable and profitable,” Kagnici said.

Azerbaijan will receive gas from Turkmenistan via Iran

Garnik Tadevosian
BBC Azeri
28 November 2021
A meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Iran Seyed Ibrahim Raisi was held in Ashgabat on November 28.
This was reported by official sources in both countries.
The meeting between Ilham Aliyev and Seyid Ibrahim Raisi took place within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization summit in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Iranian President Seyed Ibrahim Raisi said recently that “there are very good contacts” between Baku and Tehran at the level of ministers and deputy ministers.
“Issues in relations between our countries can be resolved through such contacts and visits,” he said.
Seyid Ibrahim Raisi noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are “not just neighborly relations, they are the relations of our hearts, the hearts of the peoples of the two countries beat together.”
“We have a union of history and civilization. All this unites us even more. We must never allow others to interfere in our relations. We must solve our own problems, work together to advance our relations and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. “The experience so far shows that we have always managed to resolve many of them when we discuss our issues ourselves, and we have overcome the obstacles ahead,” he said.
According to Seyid Ibrahim Raisi, Iran’s position on the Karabakh issue was “transparent and unambiguous.”
“The position of all officials in the state structures, from the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, was that the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan should not be harmed and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan should be ensured,” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the meeting would “give a very strong impetus to the development of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations.”
“Our peoples are fraternal peoples. We have lived together for centuries. The ties of kinship are quite wide. Our peoples are united by a common history and common culture. This is a very beautiful ground. We are writing a modern history of bilateral relations on this basis,” said President Ilham Aliyev.
According to the official media of Azerbaijan and Iran, the sides discussed “cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran within the North-South transport corridor, as well as the Zangazur transport corridor.”
“It was stressed that Iran will also benefit from the implementation of the Zangazur corridor and will be able to use this transport hub.”
“The issues of establishing an energy hub between Azerbaijan, Russia and Iran were discussed at the meeting.”
At the end, with the participation of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Iran, an “Agreement defining the terms of transit of natural gas through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran” was signed.
Speaking to Iranian media after the signing of the agreement, President Ilham Aliyev said that “from now on, Iranian-Azerbaijani relations will continue to grow in all areas.”
“Our peoples are fraternal peoples, our countries are fraternal countries, and the issues discussed today show once again that Iran-Azerbaijan relations are at a very high level.”
According to Ilham Aliyev, the signed document is also “of great importance.”
“This is a historic document. It shows once again how deep the Iranian-Azerbaijani relations are. Azerbaijan will receive Turkmen gas through Iran. This is a very good basis for trilateral cooperation and shows our intention. This document is very important in terms of economic and energy security. It is important, “the Azerbaijani President said.
President Seyed Ibrahim Raisi told Iranian media that “issues of interest between the two countries were discussed” with the President of Azerbaijan.
“Our relations with Azerbaijan are cultural, friendly and sincere, the history of our relations is very old. There should be no misunderstandings in these relations,” he said.
“The gas agreement signed today between Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan will serve the development of relations between our countries, relations between two and three countries. It is necessary to take serious and numerous steps in this area. “Cooperation in the cultural sphere should be aimed at expanding relations between the two countries,” he said.
According to Iranian media, starting from December 25, 2021, Azerbaijan will receive 1.5-2 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Turkmenistan through Iran.
Thanks to the profits from this deal, Iran will be able to direct its gas to five regions of the country.

On the motives of Narekatsi’s work: The Estonian choir’s album claims Grammy

Kajoyan Gevork
News.am, Armenia
Dec 1 2021


17:45, DECEMBER 1



The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir’s Schnittke: Choir Concerto; Three Sacred Hymns; Pärt: Seven Magnificat-Antiphons is nominated for a Grammy Award.

According to Estonian World, the musical composition is based on the texts of “Book of Tragedy” by one of the Armenian giants of the 10th century, Grigor Narekatsi.

The album was released in 2021 and is available on streaming platforms. It will compete for the prestigious Grammy award in the Best Choir Performance category.

PRESS RELEASE: Sam & Sylva Simonian: Tech Pioneers Advancing Armenia & AUA

Emil Lazarian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sam & Sylva Simonian: Tech Pioneers Advancing Armenia & AUA


Sam and Sylva Simonian are two of the most notable names trailblazing their distinctive path for advanced innovation in Armenia. In addition to their triumphant conception and creation of the TUMO Foundation’s Centers for Creative Technologies in Armenia, Artsakh, and several countries abroad, they have been very instrumental in establishing the Computer Science (CS) program at the American University of Armenia (AUA), generously funding its launch in 2002.

As an AUA Emeritus Trustee, Sam Simonian recalls, “In my student days, CS was not offered as a degree. I graduated in electrical engineering and had to learn programming on my own. It was clear then when the AUA CS program was first established that technology would become the essential discipline to produce entrepreneurs who can invent, start companies, employ people, create prosperity, and trade electronically without being hampered by the country’s locked borders.”

Today, the AUA Akian College of Science and Engineering boasts of an impressive roster of degree programs and state-of-the-art curriculum for its students, offering undergraduate degrees in computer science; data science; and engineering sciences, as well as graduate degrees in computer and information science; and industrial engineering and systems management. Situated within a setting of rapid technological leaps taking place in Armenia, the Simonians find it not only encouraging to witness the number of successful tech companies emerging in Armenia, but they also underscore the high growth rate at which the new companies are accelerating, albeit the prevalent shortage of experts that often hinders exponential growth. 

With the launch of the ‘Build a Better Future With AUA’ campaign, the University is spearheading transformation by dedicating efforts to advance experiential learning and intently remodeling the science and technology curriculum to directly impact the growth of Armenia. The Simonians recognize the strategic significance of this AUA undertaking and underscore the immensity of what needs to be done within the country to bridge the existing gaps and positioning Armenia as an equal player in the global field. “There has to be more exerted efforts to realize both expanded budgets and strategy to improve the entire educational system. At one time, there were many more students enrolled in liberal arts studies, but that model has to be flipped. We have to teach and encourage kids at an early age to engage in creativity and technology, and when they enter university, the institution should have the scale and the quality to refine and excel their knowledge instead of starting them with general “101” courses,” Mr. Simonian asserts.


As the sponsors of the annual AUA Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, the Simonians view education as a critical component of their mission to aid and expand access to knowledge and skills-development for youth in Armenia. With encouragement and compelling advice to students entering STEM fields, they instill hope for almost guaranteed success in life, but also note that the biggest risk-takers who take the bold step to launch their own companies come along every so often. Their words of wisdom to those entrepreneurs would be to, “find partners in their journey who will complement their deficiencies as it can get very tiring and lonely working 24/7,” while counseling that it is very important not to forget their roots when they strike success and to be benevolent toward those who are less fortunate.

Sam and Sylva Simonian have been a commanding source of power and inspiration for many. But what they signify the most is that everyone can be a part of promoting education and advancing Armenia in their own way. In their words, “Life is more beautiful and fulfilling if you can not only improve yourself and your family, but also help solve the challenges of a country in desperate need.” 

As AUA looks back on 30 years of progress through education, we recognize that our institution would not have reached this level of accomplished prominence without the support of steadfast and resourceful benefactors like the Simonians who have been pioneers in results-driven philanthropy that continues to power progress in Armenia. The level of contribution AUA students and alumni will make to the country and the society they will build are sown through the seeds of education. Our challenge in that process is to direct our collective efforts onto shaping the next decade of dynamic technological progress and delivery of greater development impact.

“I would like to see a peaceful, happy, strong and technologically superior Armenia, and education is the only vehicle to take us there,” Mr. Simonian urges. 

We are grateful for the tremendous support by Sam and Sylva Simonian and look forward to building upon their influence by engaging more collaborators, believers, and partners in realizing our forward-looking vision of Armenia. 

To learn more, visit https://30th.. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.


Garegin Galustov | PR & Marketing Specialist

With the coming of Garegin |: Public relations and marketing specialist

+374 60 61 2528,  

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Can there ever be peace in the Middle East, Eurasia? – opinion

Liana Toganian

Dec 1 2021


By JACOB KAMARAS

 

Published: DECEMBER 1, 2021 21:14


When South African immigrant Eli Kay was killed in a recent Hamas terrorist attack, the Israeli people were once again painfully reminded of the seemingly perpetual nature of their conflict with the Palestinians.
More than 1,300 miles away from Jerusalem, in the South Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan in mid-November engaged in their deadliest clashes since the end of their six-week 2020 war. While last year’s war resulted in Armenia’s surrender and subsequent withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh, the internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory that was under Armenian occupation for three decades, the countries’ recent border flare-up exhibits how an enduring peace in the region remains elusive.
At the same time, although these conflicts feel intractable, key signs of progress are emerging in both the Middle East and Eurasia.
While the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is stalled, Israel’s normalization deals with four Arab states – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco – continue to bear fruit a year after their signing. Most recently, Israel and Morocco reached a new defense agreement. There are even indications that Israel-Turkey tensions are thawing, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telling his Israeli counterpart President Isaac Herzog that “disagreements could be reduced to a minimum if both sides acted in mutual understanding in terms of bilateral and regional issues.”
Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel revealed that following his phone calls with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a meeting between those leaders will take place on the sidelines of the December 15 Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels. Additionally, “a direct line has been established between defense ministers of both countries,” Michel tweeted.

An Azeri soldier and police officer talk as they stand guard at the Kalbajar district, Azerbaijan, December 21, 2020 (credit: AZIZ KARIMOV/REUTERS)

The prospects for peace in these regions are also more interconnected than what meets the eye. Azerbaijan is a rare example of a country which has strong relations with both Turkey and Israel. In fact, Baku earlier this year expressed willingness to host a trilateral summit with Ankara and Jerusalem. Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said: “Turkey is a sister country of Azerbaijan and Israel is our strategic partner. We want our friends to be friends with each other. If the sides agree to such an initiative, then Azerbaijan will always welcome them.”
Additionally, the UAE’s de facto ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, visited Turkey last week for his first in-person meeting with Erdogan in nearly a decade.
Simultaneously, it is crucial for the diasporas of parties to these conflicts to avoid actions that undermine prospects for peace. For instance, Alex Galitsky, communications director for the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) lobby, tweeted on November 20 that “Armenians don’t want peace, we want liberation.” The ANCA has also routinely rejected the OSCE Minsk Group’s Madrid Principles for resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, mirroring the pattern of Palestinian intransigence in the conflict with Israel.

When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the respective diasporas have also transformed into a prominent battleground. This past May’s Israel-Hamas war triggered a surge of antisemitic attacks in the US and worldwide, as well as countless salvos on social media. Corporate actors such as Ben & Jerry’s, with its boycott of Israeli settlements, are also inflaming the conflict under the guise of social responsibility.
If positive momentum in the diplomatic arena continues in both the Middle East and Eurasia, 2022 could be a banner year for peace in conflict zones where peace previously seemed unattainable. Yet hopes for substantive progress will hinge on not only the countries embroiled in the conflicts, but their advocates around the world.
The writer is managing editor of the San Diego Jewish World, the former editor in chief of the Jewish News Syndicate, and the founder of Stellar Jay Communications, a PR firm representing Azerbaijan.

Erdogan says Sochi meeting ‘resolved’ rail and road construction along Arax River

Aram Torosian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 30 2021

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday claimed that his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev has informed him that the issue of the construction of railway and roads along the Arax (Araks) River was “resolved” during a meeting between the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi on Friday, Asbarez reported.

”The issue of building railways and roads along the Arax River has been resolved,” Erdogan claimed that Aliyev informed him on Sunday during the Economic Cooperation Organization in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

“The construction of a highway passing through Armenia and Nakhichevan to Turkey’s Igdir Province is on the agenda,” added Erdogan, emphasizing that with these projects the parties will take a step toward the development of air and cargo transportation in the region.

Erdogan also discussed the so-called “3+3” plan, which is a plan put forth by Ankara and Baku and envisions the formation of a transportation and economic bloc involving Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran.

“The activation of this dimension, with the participation of Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, and if they agree, Georgia, will prove that there is regional peace,” he said. “We see that there are positive steps in that direction.”