Category: 2023

Azerbaijan eyes southern Armenian border province of Syunik

Parkev Tvankchian
FRANCE 24
Oct 17 2023
By:Catherine NORRIS TRENT|Julie DUNGELHOFF|Mohamed FARHAT

After taking full control of Nagorno-Karabakh in September, will Azerbaijan go further? In the southern Armenian province of Syunik, residents are increasingly worried about the threat from Baku. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev claims Syunik and much of Armenian territory is historically Azerbaijani, referring to it as "Western Azerbaijan". Since 2020, Azerbaijan has also taken 150 square kilometres of Armenian land near the border, according to Armenian officials. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris Trent, Julie Dungelhoeff and Mohammed Farhat report.

Watch the report at https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20231017-azerbaijan-eyes-southern-armenian-border-province-of-syunik 

“The West seems unlikely to serve as Armenia’s replacement for Russia”

Rose Khoyetsian
Armenia – Oct 17 2023

“There is no doubt that Azerbaijan’s victory is also a major win for Turkey, and that has a lot of implications down the road. In Armenia, there’s disappointment with its ally Russia’s inability to play a significant role, especially in the security area, and they are looking for new partners in NATO and the West,” Lukyanov said in an interview with The Christian Science Monitor.

 

Interviews | 2023-07-09 22:23:11

However, he noted that the West seems unlikely to serve as Armenia’s replacement for Russia, as the South Caucasus has never been a high priority for the West, and its fate has been largely left to the interplay of local powers.

 

“With what’s happening in the Middle East right now, it seems less likely than ever that the U.S. or European Union are going to want to devote resources in this area. That leaves Armenia with very few choices,” he added.

https://mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/52866/

Masdar seeks EBRD financing for 200-MW solar project in Armenia

David Nargizian
Renewables Now
Oct 17 2023
 

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering providing USD 47 million (EUR 44.6m) to support the realisation of a 200-MW solar farm project by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, or Masdar, in western Armenia.

The borrower, a limited liability company incorporated in Armenia and 85% owned by Masdar, is seeking a secured limited recourse project finance facility of up to USD 41 million coupled with a concessional loan of up to USD 6 million by the Clean Technology Fund.

The funds will be used to finance the development, design, construction and operation of a facility to be located in the towns of Talin and Dashtadem of the Aragatsotn Region, according to notices published on the EBRD website on Tuesday.

The project, whose total cost is estimated at USD 186.6 million, will be the second utility-scale private power generator in Armenia which currently houses only small-scale private capacity of intermittent generation. Upon commissioning, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 169,000 tonnes annually.

The concept for the Ayg-1 Solar Power Plant project is currently under review, with a final decision on the financing expected on November 28, 2023, according to the EBRD website.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.947)

https://renewablesnow.com/news/masdar-seeks-ebrd-financing-for-200-mw-solar-project-in-armenia-836992/

Armenian Prime Minister: “We must move steadily towards peace with Azerbaijan”

Emil Lazarian
European Interest
Oct 17 2023

The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

In his address, Mr Pashinyan expressed his staunch defence of democratic principles against the backdrop of the multifaceted crises Armenia has been confronted with in recent years, particularly highlighting the turbulent aftermath of the 2020-2021 war and border conflict with Azerbaijan. He sought to defy those claiming that Armenia is suffering because it is a democracy, instead saying that his country would be paralysed and lose its independence and sovereignty if it was not democratic.

Referring to Azerbaijan’s recent attack and recapture of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said that Baku did so in “fulfilment of its long-standing policy of ethnic cleansing”. He also described the horrible humanitarian situation created by Azerbaijan’s long blockade of the Lachin corridor and offered a sharp rebuke to Moscow after Baku’s latest offensive.

“When hundreds of thousands of Armenians were fleeing from Nagorno Karabakh to the Republic of Armenia, not only did our allies in the security sector refuse to help us, but they also made public calls for a change of power in Armenia, to overthrow the democratic government”, he said. “But the people of Armenia united for their own independence, sovereignty, democracy, and another conspiracy against our state failed.”

Outlining in detail previous and so far failed attempts to achieve lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mr Pashinyan stated his willingness to sign a peace and relations settlement agreement with Baku by the end of the year. “We must move steadily towards peace”, he said (..) “To do this, political will is necessary and I have that political will. On the other hand, the international community and the European Union, and the countries of our region should support us, do everything to make this opportunity real for us”.

Armenian Students Association starts fundraiser for displaced Armenians

Greg Madatian
MUSTANG News
California Polytechnic State University
Oct 17 2023
by Caroline Ohlandt

Cal Poly’s Armenian Students’ Association (ASA) held a booth on Dexter Lawn on Oct. 12 to raise funds to provide financial support and care packages for those affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, psychology sophomore and ASA Co-President Miriana Vitullo told Mustang News. 

Nagorno-Karabakh, a landlocked region inhabited primarily by ethnic Armenians yet internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has been an area of ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for over a century, according to ABC News. Azerbaijan recaptured the region through a military offensive on Sept. 19, causing more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee in what Armenia has condemned as an inhumane act of ethnic cleansing, ABC reported.

According to biomedical engineering junior and ASA member Irina Sargsyan, ASA partnered with Emili Aregak Centre – an Armenian nonprofit organization that supports children and youth with disabilities – to provide meals, hygienic items and care packages for displaced Armenian families.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been a major source of stress and concern and often makes typical day-to-day tasks difficult for Armenian students at Cal Poly, Sargsyan said. She believes Cal Poly’s administration should spread awareness about this conflict and provide support for its Armenian student population.

“It is very hard for me as an Armenian student during this conflict because I try to focus on my homework and I am just filled with this heartbreak,” Sargsyan said. “There should be a statement from President Armstrong or ASI that tells [Armenian students] that they’re here for us. Supporting Armenian students needs to be a priority of Cal Poly and right now it isn’t.”

Vitullo said in addition to an acknowledgement from the administration, making donations, spreading awareness and having empathy for Armenian students in this time is vital.

“It would be awesome to have people reach out and say, ‘I’ve heard about what’s happening in Armenia; How can I help?’” Vitullo said. “If everyone on this campus was willing to help, we’d have an incredible impact.”

Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures to attend India’s Global Maritime Summit

Alex Nanijanian

 19:03,

YEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan will participate in the Global Maritime Summit of India and in the round table discussion dedicated to the port of Chabahar.

“On October 16-19, I was sent to the Republic of India (Mumbai) to participate in the Global Maritime Summit of India and the round table discussion on the port of Chabahar,” Minister Sanosyan said in a statement on Facebook.




Amid the escalation of the situation in Israel, no contacts between Putin and Biden planned

Emil Lazarian

 18:51,

YEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. Amid the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, no communication is planned between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden.

''Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to discuss the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with his US counterpart Joe Biden,'' Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told reporters,   informed.

"No, [contacts with Biden] are not planned," he said.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1122069.html?fbclid=IwAR0xzd7tThcwPwibVy68E3OQ8EWh9h6eGXQBJkhr0NNvtYzlez5bZbb9Sjc

120 participating companies, more than 40 speakers: 18th "DigiTec" exhibition summed up

Liana Toganian

 17:37,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 16, ARMENPRESS. DigiTec23 has become a reality, moving to the Meridian Expo Center for the first time. 120 participating companies, more than 40 speakers presented themselves at this year's technology exhibition, UATE said in a press release.

 Many innovations were showcased at this year's technology exhibition.

BANA Angels played a significant role in organizing the event.

UATE extended support to companies forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and provided them with a platform to present at DigiTec. People moved from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia presented themselves under a single pavilion entitled "We are reborn". "Munk" technical school, Bitty organization and BIB Company also participated in the event.

At the 18th "DigiTec" exhibition, entitled "Technologies are everywhere", the problems arisen in Armenia were in the spotlight

"People who see the future of our country also in the technological sector have gathered here. This is an event where our IT community is able to present to the public and partners the news that is being created.

Although "DigiTec" is held for the second time this year, the companies have many new things to show. I sincerely hope that the participants, visitors, Armenian and foreign media will see the potential that Armenia has. We will witness how Armenian companies transform their solutions, as well as offer solutions, both in our and in the global market," said Alexander Yesayan, the president of the UATE.

"DigiTec" has been held for 18 years, having a mission to work in 3 directions: connecting the representatives of the Armenian technological world with each other, introducing technological developments to the society outside of technology and people working in government bodies, to fix Armenian technologies on the map in the international market", said Sargis Karapetyan, the executive director of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises.

The annual reporting conference of the "Technological Future of Armenia" initiative was held at "DigiTec".

The Armenian Code Academy organized professional seminars for forcibly displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the "DigiTec" days, two important memorandums were also signed for "Armat" engineering laboratories.

First, a memorandum has been signed between Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Araksia Svajyan, and the executive director of the Union of Advanced Technologies Enterprises (UATE), Sargis Karapetyan.

According to the memorandum, the infrastructures of "Armat" will be used in the schools and will be connected to the general school program.

And another memorandum was signed between Sargis Karapetyan and Artur Sargsyan, executive director of the Union of Advanced Technologies Enterprises (UATE). With the memorandum, Arthur Sargsyan, as a donation, will support the opening of a new "Armat" laboratory in Yerevan's 66 primary school.

"DigiTech-2023" was also visited by representatives of structures, international organizations, and parliamentarians carrying out their diplomatic mission in Armenia. 

Robert Khachatryan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, the RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, Vice President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan also attended the event.




AI from school and the significance of science commercialization. FAST representatives at Digitec23 panel discussions

Parkev Tvankchian

 19:27,

YEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The impact of artificial intelligence on higher education was one of the key issues discussed at the Digitec23 business expo-forum, which started on October 13 in Yerevan. Leading Armenian technological companies, startups, business and scientific and technological organizations presented their educational, scientific and commercialization programs in the field of high technologies.

Suzanna Shamakhyan, Vice President of Strategic Programming at the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) addressed the development of the AI industry in Armenia, the challenges of a scarcity of researchers in the field, and the idea of creating the "Generation AI" program during the panel discussion titled “The Impact of AI on Higher Education.”

“We have implemented various incubator and scientific programs and have consistently encountered the challenge of finding even junior researchers in the AI field. As we delved deeper into the root of the problem, we realized that starting at the school level was essential. Consequently, we decided to initiate the “Generation AI” program. It was a challenging endeavor that took more than 2.5 years of preparation. We were pleased to receive more school applications for the open competition than anticipated: 47 schools expressed their eagerness to engage in this significant initiative," as Armenpress informs, Suzanna Shamakhyan remarked.

Suzanna Shamakyan emphasized that 400 10th-grade students are currently enrolled in the program. When asked about the program's first graduates, she stated, “It’s a 3-year program, and we will witness the first graduates in 3 years. The primary objective is to teach mathematics and then the Python programming language. Depending on the progress students demonstrate, they will have the opportunity to either continue studying the basic AI program or pursue a more advanced path and engage in projects.”

The program is currently at school level, and during this period, close collaboration with higher educational institutions will persist to ensure that children regularly learn about research methodologies, their execution, and the opportunities they present. In essence, the “Generation AI” program has a substantial component of professional orientation. If we aspire, as a country, to be competitive in this field, we must cultivate suitable human resources to ensure that competitiveness. Unlike other large countries, which can recruit talent from various parts of the world, we cannot afford it. We must discover and harness our potential from within," added Shamakhyan to the discussion.

Arman Darbinyan, Head of the Department of Mathematical and Mathematical Modeling at RAU; Kristina Sargsyan, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at UFAR; Tigran Sargsyan, Director of Engineering, ML at Krisp; and Rem Darbinyan, Founder & CEO of ViralMango, also participated in the “The Impact of AI on Higher Education” panel discussion. The moderator was Hrant Khachatryan, Director of YerevanN.

 Ruben Osipyan, Entrepreneurial Programs Lead at FAST, highlighted during the panel discussion on "Innovation as a Vital Component of Technological Education," that the first project in the science commercialization sphere was ASCENT, influenced by the experience of Flagship Pioneering, whose founder and CEO, Noubar Afeyan, is one of FAST’s co-founders.

In general, entrepreneurial activity in Armenia holds significant potential for development. Various methods can facilitate this growth, with a systematic approach being paramount. Often, scientists are not able to convincingly present their inventions as innovations with a competitive edge. They must navigate this path effectively to sell their ideas to investors. Unfortunately, some scientists view entrepreneurship as incompatible with a scientific career, while development is impossible without the commercialization of science,” Osipyan added.

The panelists explored the interconnections between innovation and science, innovation and education, and the unique aspects of applying innovations in higher and postgraduate education.

Arevik Khnkoyan, Head of Unit for Science Field Data Collection and Analysis at HESC, moderated the panel discussion. The speakers included Naira Sahakyan, Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the Faculty of Oriental Studies in YSU; Nejdeh Hovanessian, Assistant Director of EPIC; Hayk Margarian, CEO at NCIE; Gevorg Poghosyan, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Hub Yerevan; and Atom Mkhitaryan, Dean at ISEC, NAS.

At Digitec23, FAST has established its booth, exhibiting its activities and programs, notably the "Generation AI" high school pilot program, providing detailed insights into the initiative and answering the questions of visitors to the booth.

 


U.S., Venezuela reach deal to ease sanctions

Karlen Baghdasarian

 19:28,

YEREVAN, 16 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Biden administration and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have agreed to a deal in which the U.S. would ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry and Venezuela would allow a competitive, internationally monitored presidential election next year, according to two people familiar with the breakthrough talks, the Washington Post reported.

The sanctions relief is to be announced after Maduro’s government and Venezuela’s U.S.-backed opposition sign an agreement to include commitments by the socialist government to allow a freer vote in 2024, the people said. They’re expected to do that during a meeting in Barbados on Tuesday with U.S. officials in attendance.