Author: Ara Felekian

 14:52,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The European Union is launching today the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia / EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the Council of the European Union said in a press release.

The EUMA was formally established by a Council Decision on 23 January 2023. Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the objectives are to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.

The total – exclusively civilian – staff of the EUMA will be approximately 100, including around 50 unarmed observers.

The Operational Headquarters of the mission will be in Yeghegnadzor, in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province. EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) Stefano Tomat will serve as the Civilian Operation Commander, while Markus Ritter will serve as the Head of Mission.

Background

In a letter to the High Representative received on 27 December 2022, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia invited the EU to deploy a civilian CSDP mission in Armenia.
On 23 January 2023, the Council adopted a decision establishing EUMA. EUMA is a neutral and non-executive mission which will have a 2-year mandate.

EUMA was preceded by an EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia (EUMCAP). The latter had deployed EU observers from the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia from 20 October until 19 December 2022.

 15:46,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. US President Joe Biden made an unannounced trip to Kyiv early Monday for the first time since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine almost a year ago, announcing a half-billion dollars of additional assistance, CNN reports.

Biden, in joint remarks alongside Ukrainian President Zelensky, said the package would include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition, more javelins and Howitzers.

Zelensky said he and Biden spoke about “long range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine even though it wasn’t supplied before.” 

Biden arrived in Kyiv at 8 a.m. local time (1:00 a.m. ET), according to reporters traveling with him inside the country, and was greeted by the US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. His motorcade arrived at the Mariinsky Palace just after 8:30 a.m. local time. He was greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska.

“Thank you for coming,” Zelensky said, shaking Biden’s hand.

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden said standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky. “He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now.”

“He’s just been plain wrong,” Biden said of Putin. “One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together.”

“One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” he declared. “The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you.”

Biden said that Kyiv has “captured a part of my heart."

The Ukrainian leader also called Biden's surprise visit the most important in the “history of the Ukraine-US relationship.”

“Ukrainians remember the focus, attention, the attitude that President Biden and the US have given to Ukraine,” Zelensky added.

“I thank you for this level of US-Ukraine cooperation,” he said.

Zelensky said he had discussed the supply of more advanced Western weapons to Ukraine, and cited the recent decision by the US to send Abrams tanks to the country as another defining moment.  

“The decision of the US on Abrams tanks has already presented a foundation for establishing a tank coalition and is of historic importance,” he said. “We’ve also talked about long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine – even though have not been supplied before.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said negotiations between his and US President Joe Biden’s teams in Kyiv were a major boost to his country.

“This conversation brings us closer to victory,” Zelensky said.

"As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

 09:34,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan released a statement on the 35^th anniversary of the Karabakh Movement.

Below is the full statement as published by the Prime Minister’s Office:

“35 years ago on these days the Karabakh Movement began. The spontaneous and mass protests which began from February 20 in 1988 will remain in the Armenian history as the symbol of national awakening, unity and liberation struggle.

The movement became the first step in our statehood’s restoration, through which we regained the determination to live freely and independently, to build our destiny and be in charge of our future.

The Karabakh Movement was for the Artsakhians to protect their rights and express their right and will to live a dignified life on their own land.

35 years on, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh still face the most serious challenges. Under blockade, our compatriots today are again forced to express their will to protect their rights and security. As I’ve numerously said, these actions by Azerbaijan have one goal – to break the will of the population of Nagorno Karabakh to live in their own homeland, which, however, I am convinced is unbreakable and unwavering.

Dear compatriots,

We continue to multiply our efforts in direction of focusing the international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, because it is only the unwavering activeness of the international community that is the option to suppress Azerbaijan’s aggressiveness and provocative conduct, for the complete implementation of its obligations under the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement and unblocking of the Lachin corridor.

At the same time, we will continue our consistent steps directed at solving the socio-economic problems of the Armenians of Artsakh, overcoming security challenges, and the development of mechanisms for the protection of the rights and security of the Armenians of Artsakh. The implementation of these goals requires selfless work and we must be unwavering in this work.

Dear Artsakhians,

Be strong and unbreakable for the sake of a peaceful and safe life in your homeland. In the face of new global and regional challenges, we must focus our powers on realizing the peace agenda, as much as we realize the difficulties and problems that await us on that path. By and large, the substantial goal of the Karabakh movement was the peaceful, dignified and safe life, and we must head towards that goal,” PM Pashinyan said in the statement.

 13:50, 1 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. PROFAL GROUP, the leading Armenian manufacturer of doors and windows with aluminum profiles, as well as glass structures, is doing everything possible to promote the best Armenian experience and high-quality products around the world. The company is expanding its geography of activities and implementing major projects not only in Armenia but also in various corners around the world every year.

We spoke to PROFAL GROUP CEO Edgar Avetisyan about the challenges of the past year, the ways of overcoming them and the company’s achievements and priorities for 2023.

Mr. Avetisyan, how was the year of the 20th anniversary for PROFAL GROUP, what achievements did you record?

After two years of crisis, as a socially responsible company we have a stronger understanding about the importance of consistent and persistent work. This is about the stabilization and development of our country, which every Armenian business understands quite well. That’s why our work in the post-war years was mostly aimed at carrying out new investments, creating jobs and projects, and perfecting the capabilities of our team. I can state that it was a successful year for the company. In 2022, we launched our new megaproject – Օ₂ Gardens, which brought a new culture of landscaping to Armenia. A total of $9,000,000 of investments was made within the framework of the project. Now Օ₂ Gardens is engaged in importing, cultivating and caring of 2000 species of plants, trees and bushes, we offer new approaches of landscaping for interior and exterior, a full package of landscaping design services. As a result, we were able to replenish our team with new employees, increasing the number of our employees to 400 and ensuring 20% growth.

Last year we marked the 20th anniversary of establishment of our company and we announced that from now on we will present ourselves in a status of group of companies. Now, PROFAL GROUP has united PROFAL, PROFAL HOME, Օ₂ Gardens, Օ₂ Café & Bar, ElectriX and the ARGO subsidiary operating in Georgia under one single brand.

The entry into the European market, particularly in France, where we have a long-term project, was an important achievement for us. Together with our French colleagues we will participate in the construction of schools and other buildings of state importance. As you know, we started to export PROFAL production in 2013, the first destination was Saudi Arabia, and since then the geography of exports expanded, encompassing the United States of America, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Puerto Rico, the Bermudas, and now also France. Along with the latter we plan several major projects in the United States as well, particularly in New York City. This all further contributes to realizing our mission of promoting Armenian products in the world, through which “Made in Armenia” is being perceived as a new quality standard.

Among our achievements I must definitely mention the nearly 25% growth in output, which is an excellent number for us because in such sectors 5-7% growth is already considered a very good result. We plan to ensure over 25% growth this year as well. This will be possible due to the changes which we began implementing in 2022: modernization of the factory, expansion of the production space and storage facilities and increasing production capacity. We’ve had replenishment with new equipment, a part of which is already acquired while the other part will reach Armenia by the end of January this year. As a result, we will increase aluminum output approximately twice.

It took us three years to integrate the equipment into our system. The new equipment is much safer. Our big goal for the future is to establish a fully automated production, which can become our “know how” not only in Armenia, but in any part of the world.

We spoke about major projects abroad and entry into new market, what challenges do you face on this path?

We are a company that is never afraid and never avoids difficulties, and any new challenge that we overcome makes us and our country more competitive and stronger. While rendering services in the American and European markets you must comply with very high standards of quality, and that process is resource-consuming. Currently we are in the stage of receiving various licenses in the US and France, which takes 6 to 7 months. But even in case of having the license continuous work is needed to carry out the different processes of manufacturing, sale and supply on high level, because there are one or two annual inspections planned by representatives of that countries in our factories. Meaning, the product must be high quality, and the company must meet the defined requirements. This includes the acquisition of raw materials up to bringing the finished goods into the market, obtaining and responding to feedback and so on. Big importance is given to the selection of suppliers and the quality of materials: raw materials must be acquired only from licensed companies, the logistic work with them must be organized correctly and so on.

2022 was also full of difficulties. How did the company withstand the emerging crises, the Russian-Ukrainian war, the dollar and euro depreciation (taking into account exports), and the Azerbaijani invasion into territory of Armenia in September.

Indeed, like I said, the last few years were full of challenges – pandemic, war, the eruption of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in the beginning of last year, the subsequent related relocation and currency fluctuations, which were a new trial for any business.

Like many others, we too lost a potential major project in that period which was in the stage of negotiations. Of course, such situations are factors suppressing growth, but not once have we withstood and overcome difficulties and challenges, thus we are working to develop a new strategy of development and be guided by it.

Nevertheless, presently we have several major projects on the table. By one of them we will also render a new service, it’s about cladding of buildings, which will become one of PROFAL’s major business directions in a short period of time. I attach great importance to the trend that construction companies are consulting with us over landscaping issues as early as during discussions of the blueprints, where we utilize our experience of Օ₂ Gardens.

Within the framework of the Օ₂ Gardens project you implemented a number of interesting formats last year aimed at the wide circles of the society. What can we expect this year?

Yes, 2022 was important also in terms of organizing various events for our countrymen, the main goal of which is to attach importance and promote green culture. Last spring, on the occasion of women’s holidays we initiated and successfully implemented the Tulip Market, a tulip fair. Over 14,000 tulips of the most various colors were presented in the heart of the capital, in Northern Avenue. It was the first flower fair held in Yerevan, which gave the chance to tulip lovers to tour the area, take photos, pick the flowers with their own hands and take it with them in special packaging.

We got the inspiration to organize the Tulip Market from the annual National Tulip Day events held in the Netherlands.

There was so much interest and admiration from visitors that we decided to make it an annual event and this year we will again give a flower fest to our citizens and present over 50,000 tulips at the fair.

Regarding our new winter format, the Christmas Tree Fest, we implemented it together with our partners and gave a real New Year magic to the children. Hundreds of decorated and illuminated fir trees were presented at Օ₂ Gardens, as well as other unique and creative Christmas Trees created by over 15 Armenian companies. The Christmas Tree Fest is also aspiring to transform into a bigger event, joining more and more partners with every year. I attach importance that instilling love and care for plants among both junior and senior generations is the basis of all our events. I am confident that in 2023 we will continue our dedicated and responsible work with greater excitement.

 16:32,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. India-Armenia Conference: Promoting Investment and Growth was held recently in the Indian city of Bangalore.

The conference has been organized by the Embassy of Armenia in India and the Indian Economic Trade Organization, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

The event was attended by around 70 participants representing public, business, educational and healthcare sectors of the state of Karnataka.

The conference participants discussed with the Ambassador of Armenia the issues and prospects of the bilateral economic cooperation, presented several interesting proposals aimed at jointly implementing them.

In his remarks the Armenian Ambassador talked about the historical roots of the traditional bilateral political relations and praised the positive environment there formed over the recent years, adding that the mutual visits of the foreign ministers of Armenia and India have greatly contributed to it.

Ambassador Yuri Babakhanyan stressed the need for making all efforts to raise mutual recognition and trust between different Armenian and Indian companies. He called on the conference participants to actively participate in exhibitions and conferences in Armenia.

Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the end of the conference.