Even foreigners, including Muslims, know that it is impossible to diversify energy sources through Azerbaijan. Through Azerbaijan, not diversification, but dependence is possible.

Unlike many countries, Azerbaijan has been able to successfully convert its energy resources into political influence.

This is a fact, and it is impossible not to take this fact into account, moreover, it is a betrayal of the national interest.

And I constantly think, what name to give to those who, realizing that Azerbaijan will not contribute to Armenia’s energy independence and diversification, but will create dependence, but still preach dependence on Azerbaijan…

Political scientist Ara Poghosyan

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The former “Multi Wellness” club reopened today, July 31, under a new name.

This was announced by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan.

“All the people who had packages, the packages continue to work,” he said.

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The detention of “Strong Armenia” co-founder Alik Aleksanyan was extended for another 2 months. Lawyer Eduard Hovhannisyan informed journalists about this in the courtyard of the court.

“This decision is not acceptable to us, we will appeal to the Court of Appeal,” he said.

Let’s remind that Alik Aleksanyan is accused of money laundering and taking financial advantage of people to participate in the gatherings.

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Early this morning, the security forces entered the house of Narek Karapetyan, who received the mandate of the “Strong Armenia” bloc deputy, and are conducting searches.

Marianna Ghahramanyan, spokesperson of the “Strong Armenia” party, who received a mandate as a member of parliament, reports this.

“Illegal persecution of “Strong Armenia” continues,” he wrote.

“Investigative operations are being carried out at Narek Karapetyan’s house within the framework of the criminal proceedings related to Alik Aleksanyan,” the Investigative Committee informed Sputnik Armenia.

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On July 27-30, at the invitation of the head of the border guard police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Davit Tamazashvili, the delegation led by the commander of the border guard troops of the Republic of Armenia, colonel Garik Muradyan, was on an official visit to Georgia.

This is reported by the National Security Service.

Within the framework of the visit, a meeting was held with Davit Tamazashvili, head of the border guard police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, during which the Georgian side presented the structure, main functions and priority directions of the border guard police. During the meeting, issues related to ensuring border security and cooperation between border agencies were discussed, as well as the willingness to continuously develop cooperation was reaffirmed.

The delegation also had a meeting with Levan Maisuradze, director of the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. During the meeting, the main directions of patrol police activities were presented, as well as the problems related to queues at the border crossing points of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia were discussed.

The delegation also visited the Public Security and Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the structure of the academy, the features of the organization of the educational process, modern educational infrastructures and training opportunities were presented, where border guards are also trained.

During the visit, the delegation of border guard troops of the RA NSS also visited the 112 Public Security Management Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

At the end of the visit, the commander of the border guard troops of the RA NSS, colonel Garik Muradyan, thanked Davit Tamazashvili, the head of the border guard police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, for the invitation, warm reception, productive meetings and constructive discussions aimed at the further development of bilateral cooperation.

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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, referring to Moody’s Ratings international rating agency’s assessment of Armenia’s sovereign rating at the government meeting on July 30, stated: “Moody’s revised Armenia’s rating outlook from “stable” to “positive” and reconfirmed the long-term sovereign rating at Ba3 level.”

Referring to the improvement of the rating perspective and the maintenance of the sovereign rating at the Ba3 level, the Prime Minister presented the positive changes recorded in the agency’s assessment, pointing out the reduction of political and geopolitical risks, the improvement of economic growth prospects and the strengthening of the structural potential of the economy.

The “Fact Checking Platform” compared the statements made at the government meeting with the full decision of Moody’s Ratings and noted that the prime minister’s official presentation did not include a number of key risks and reservations pointed out by the agency. FIP writes about this.

Risks not presented at the Cabinet meeting

The uncertainty of concluding a peace treaty

Among the reasons for the improvement of the outlook, Moody’s indeed mentions the weakening of geopolitical and political risks caused by the decrease in the probability of a large-scale military conflict with Azerbaijan. At the same time, however, the agency warns that the conclusion of a full peace agreement is still unlikely.

“Conclusion of a full peace treaty is unlikely in the foreseeable future, as Azerbaijan continues to demand that Armenia change its Constitution, which remains a politically sensitive and domestically difficult issue for Yerevan,” the decision states.

Economic risks arising from relations with Russia

The agency also referred to the changing foreign policy orientation of Armenia and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding relations with Russia. According to Moody’s assessment, in the conditions of close economic relations between the two countries, this uncertainty may affect the economic security of Armenia.

“Although geopolitical risks have decreased, uncertainties surrounding Armenia’s changing foreign orientation and relations with Russia continue to create risks for Armenia’s economic security, given the two countries’ close economic ties,” the decision states.

Economic risks and double-digit unemployment

Looking at the structure, the positive impact of high economic growth indicators on the large-scale improvement of economic fundamentals is not yet evident. The impact on labor market indicators is apparently weak. The unemployment rate has declined but remains in double digits, partly reflecting a narrow base of growth, concentrated in a few sectors, as well as structural constraints such as skills mismatches and high shadowing.

Domestic savings have also remained low, hampered by underdeveloped domestic capital markets and shadowing, which limits the mobilization of household savings.

As a result, Armenia continues to run a significant current account deficit, largely financed by foreign capital inflows, and foreign direct investment (FDI) contributions remain modest at around 2% of GDP. The low level of domestic savings in turn leads to a relatively high cost of domestic borrowing.

Demographic challenges and emigration of highly qualified professionals

In its assessment, Moody’s also highlights Armenia’s socio-demographic risks, which may limit the country’s long-term economic growth potential.

Among the main challenges, the agency mentions the small number and aging of the population, the high level of unemployment among young people and the emigration of highly educated Armenians.

According to Moody’s assessment, emigration contributes to the inflow of remittances, mitigating its negative consequences to some extent, but on the other hand, it exacerbates demographic problems.

According to the agency, a shift to higher productivity service sectors, including information technology, can help mitigate these risks.

The structure also referred to the points that can contribute to the further increase of Armenia’s rating.

Moody’s noted that consistent reforms in the directions of promoting exports, improving the business environment and expanding employment can contribute to the improvement of Armenia’s rating. The strengthening of regional stability, the progress of normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the implementation of projects expanding Armenia’s connectivity and trade opportunities with the support of the EU and the US, and greater clarity regarding relations with Russia can also have a positive impact.

The agency also emphasized the improvement of labor market indicators and the development of domestic capital markets, which can reduce the cost of borrowing and strengthen the ability to service public debt.

Thus, at the government meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented to the public only the positive factors behind Moody’s decision. Meanwhile, the agency’s report also points out a number of risks: the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the peace treaty, economic risks arising from relations with Russia, double-digit unemployment, low levels of foreign direct investment and demographic challenges.

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