Author: Arbi Tashjian

Armenpress: New village to be built in Armenia to be ready in 2026

Arbi Tashjian

New village to be built in Armenia to be ready in 2026

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 09:36, 12 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. A new village will be built in Armenia’s Shirak province. The cause is the construction of the Kaps Reservoir, as a part of Jradzor village will appear under water after the construction of the reservoir. Therefore, the village, that will be built for the resettlement of the village residents, will be ready in spring 2026, and the residents will be provided with houses as a compensation. The government will provide renovated modular houses, they will be earthquake-resistant, energy-saving. The village will have a pedestrian path and a cattle road.

Recently Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan talked about the construction of this new village at the Cabinet meeting.

Ashot Khachatryan, director of water economy program implementation branch at the Armenian Territorial Development Fund (ATDF), which implements the village resettlement program, presented details about the initiative in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

“As a result of the construction of the Kaps Reservoir, a part of the village of Jradzor will appear under water, therefore, a decision was made to move the whole village to another place, that is about 5km away from the village, near the reservoir”, he said.

The works on transferring the village have started since December 2021. At the moment the designing works of the new village are underway. The initial master plan of the new village is already ready, and the main designing works will launch after its examination. The designing works will last for 18 months, and the construction of the village will last for another 2 years.

“We expect we will end the designing works in July 2023. And the construction tender will last for a few more months, and the construction will begin at the end of 2023. There are winter pauses during construction, so we believe that the village will be ready in spring 2026”, Ashot Khachatryan said.

During public hearings different territories were presented to the village residents and they approved that territory. Khachatryan said the village residents wanted to move to a new village and they all denied the offer of getting financial compensation.

He stated that the new village will be bigger in size than the current one. “According to the project, the compensation will be a house for a house, in other words, all those people who have houses in that village, will get houses in the new village. At the moment, 74 families are registered in the village, but only 39 actually live in the village. All these 74 families will be provided with houses”, he said, adding that the village residents will be provided with renovated modular houses.

The new village will have a road to the old village because the cemeteries in the old village will not appear under water, they will be preserved and people will have a chance to visit cemeteries.

Khachatryan said that the new village will have a residential zone, a rest zone, a production zone, a teaching zone, as well as its clear road network, a separate road for cattle, and pedestrian paths.

The village will be have water supply, drainage and a biological sewage treatment plant.

It is also planned to create a production zone where there will be a milk procurement plant.

The new village will have a view to the reservoir. According to Ashot Khachatryan, there is a very good opportunity to develop agrotourism and tourism there.

“The construction of the Kaps Reservoir started back in 1985 [later it stopped]. And the village residents have been waiting for the reconstruction of the reservoir, for the construction of a new village so that they can move. And this situation is reaching its end, and the residents are very excited for these works to end soon”, he said.

He said that the village residents will also be provided with compensation for the lost corps. If there will be other territories than houses, compensation will also be provided.

Asked whether other people can also move to live in the new village, he said that the project also envisages expansion of the village. “Everyone can use it, buy a land in the village and build”, he said.

The village resettlement program is implemented with the state budget funds. 4 billion 950 million drams will be spent on the project.

 

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan

Narek and the Nagorno Karabakh War

Arbi Tashjian
15.07.22 - Lucio De Candia - Redazione Italia

This post is also available in: Italian

The young Armenian Narek Babayan

In his now classic “The Clash of Civilizations”, Samuel Huntington foresaw in the post-Cold War period a series of potentially explosive conflicts based no longer on the opposition between ideologies, but rather on the opposition between civilizations; the identity factor, crucial for manipulating public opinion, would be based on culture, religion and in practice on all the aspects that deeply mark and characterize peoples.

Today’s example of Ukraine, a land of fracture between Western civilization and Orthodox civilization, clearly highlights how the conflict over values, rights and traditions is the shield behind which to hide the existence of conflicting geopolitical interests.

It is not even a coincidence that Armenians and Azeris, who have been in opposition for the territory of Nagorno Karabakh for decades, are also Christians and Muslims. Civilization, in short, is that lifeline to which most of the world population today clings to oppose the sense of uncertainty and fear following the collapse of ideologies and the economic and environmental crisis.

The origins of the tensions in the territory date back to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the decision of the Christian majority of Armenian origin living in the region to create an autonomous state, Nagorno Karabakh, in fact, breaking away from the now independent – and Muslim – Azerbaijan.

I met Narek on the occasion of an intercultural project in Moldova three years ago; when he was just eighteen he was about to leave for military service, which in Armenia is compulsory and lasts two years. We said goodbye with the hope that he would not have to participate in the war which at the time seemed a real possibility.

On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan suddenly resumed hostilities at the border: the conflict lasted about a month and a half.

A casual two-day stay in Yerevan allowed me to see Narek again and give him a bottle of the famous limoncello that his grandfather wanted so much to taste. The occasion was propitious for him to talk to me about his experience in the army: I collected a spontaneous and significant testimony, in my opinion important for understanding dynamics often overlooked by the mainstream press.

Over a sip of Armenian beer and a taste of dolma and lahmacun, Narek answered my questions and at the end of the conversation, using the local language and beating me on time, he paid me for the dinner, not too cheap for the standard of local living, giving me an example of the typical hospitality of his people.

Three years ago we said goodbye just before your military service: you weren’t happy to leave, but you seemed relaxed enough. Why?

In my country, due to the Nagorno Karabakh issue, we know from an early age that one day the army will be waiting for us. In short, we are used to all this. The question was how slowly these two years would pass.

What do you think about weapons?

Obviously I am against the use of weapons even for hunting, but in our case we have no choice as there is no civil service option. Fortunately, I didn’t have to shoot anyone in self-defense during the conflict.

I remember we talked about the possibility of war with Azerbaijan and the hope that it would not happen. How did you hear the news and what did you feel?

A few days before the start of hostilities, our army superiors anticipated the possibility that the Azeris might start shooting at our positions, but they did not consider it certain and above all imminent.

One night I woke up to the noise that Azerbaijani drones were making over our heads; a few minutes later we saw a series of flashing lights on the Azerbaijani front followed by smoke accompanied by the sound of blows on the ground.

How did you feel at that moment?

I didn’t feel afraid … maybe there wasn’t time for this. We started hopping, laughing nervously and asking each other aloud: “What the hell is going on”?

Did you ever risk losing your life in those days?

Yes, in those moments the shots came within a few meters of me. For the following period we were often in the underground bunkers and my activity was mainly to coordinate and help the soldiers who came back either because they were injured or for the change with those who replaced them on the front line. I helped them in all ways and in some cases I gave them my clothes because theirs were unusable.

Did they all come back safe and sound?

In my group, fortunately, yes, but unfortunately I lost a childhood friend who was born in the same village as me.

If you think about Azerbaijanis now, at the end of your military service, what do you feel?

For me they are the same as before … they can be my friends. It is always the rulers who decide the fate of the governed. Clearly, if we are dealing with fanatics and nationalists, the situation is different, but this is true for all countries of the world.

After this war experience, how has your way of thinking changed?

Now I don’t watch the news anymore and I only care about me and my friends. I have a job that allows me to live with dignity in Yerevan and that’s okay.

https://www.pressenza.com/2022/07/narek-and-the-nagorno-karabakh-war/

Armenpress: According to the WHO head, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from being over

Arbi Tashjian

According to the WHO head, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from being over

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 21:09,

YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the end of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is not near, ARMENPRESS reports, Interfax informs.

"The pandemic is far from being over," the head of the WHO said at the press conference held in Geneva.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe said countries should offer a second booster dose of vaccination to groups such as the elderly, healthcare workers and pregnant women.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in cases of coronavirus infection in Europe.

Newspaper: Why US Congress members did not come to Armenia?

Arbi Tashjian
NEWS.am
Armenia – July 5 2022
09:47, 05.07.2022

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: A visit of US Congress members to Armenia was supposed to take place at the end of June. We had written that they were planning meetings with both the President of the National Assembly [(NA)] and the leaders of the three NA factions (…).

However, June 30 passed, whereas the Congress members never arrived in Armenia. It turns out that the visit of the Congress members has been postponed. NA press speaker Tsovinar Khachatryan told us that the cause was Covid. Moreover, at first it was decided that they would come with five people, then the makeup of the delegation increased—becoming to 17, but in the end they informed that they could not come to Armenia at the moment.

"They informed us that the visit is postponed due to the illness of the aircraft crew. But they have not specified who are infected with Covid—possibly the pilot as well," said the NA press speaker. Also, she noted that the Congress members had petitioned to the NA President with a request for a meeting on June 30, which, in fact, did not take place.


Armenian Parliament Speaker calls his Estonian counterpart’s recent visit to Shushi “extremely concerning”

Arbi Tashjian

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 12:27, 8 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 8, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received today Ambassador of Estonia to Armenia Riina Kaljurand, the Parliament’s press service said.

During the meeting the priorities of the mutual partnership between the parliaments of the two countries and the continuation of the cooperation within parliamentary diplomacy were discussed at the meeting.

“We always follow the activity of the Parliament of Estonia and attach great importance to any statement or any other demonstration around the sensitive issues for us”, the Armenian Speaker of Parliament told the Estonian Ambassador. He commented on the visit of the Estonian Speaker of Parliament Jüri Ratas to Shushi this May, calling it “extremely concerning”.

According to Alen Simonyan, the statements made by Mr. Ratas in Shushi not only do not reflect the breath of the friendly relations existing between Armenia and Estonia, but also contradict to Estonia’s official support to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. The Speaker told the Ambassador that he has sent a letter to the Estonian Speaker of Parliament on this occasion, where he explained the essence of the conflict and the consequences of the 2020 devastating war. Alen Simonyan expressed hope that his Estonian counterpart will visit Armenia in the future and will get acquainted with the situation, as well as will meet with officials representing Nagorno Karabakh.

In her turn the Ambassador of Estonia expressed hope that there will be a chance to discuss all these issues with the Speaker of Parliament of Estonia in the future. She conveyed the official invitation of the Estonian Speaker of Parliament addressed to his Armenian counterpart, and in response Alen Simonyan again repeated the desire to see his Estonian counterpart in Armenia and accepted the mutual invitation with pleasure.

President Khachaturyan agrees with Noubar Afeyan to combine efforts for implementation of public and educational program

Arbi Tashjian

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 18:13, 7 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan hosted American-Armenian scientist and businessman Noubar Afeyan on July 7.

As ARMENPRESS was informed by the office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, President Khachaturyan welcomed the guest and noted that he is always happy to see him in Armenia. Noubar Afeyan thanked the President for the reception.

Vahagn Khachaturyan and Noubar Afeyan discussed the prospects of development of education and science in Armenia. The businessman presented to the President the current and future initiatives and programs aimed at the mentioned areas, as well as continued strengthening and development of Armenia-Diaspora relations.

An agreement was reached to combine efforts for the implementation of social and educational multi-layered programs.

Study Points to Armenian Origins of Ancient Crop With Aviation Biofuel Potential

Arbi Tashjian
by Contributor

 

 July 5, 2022

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Camelina sativa plants with ripe seeds


New research from Washington University in St. Louis points to Armenian origins of ancient crop with aviation biofuel potential.

Camelina, also known as false flax or Gold-of-Pleasure, is an ancient oilseed crop with emerging applications in the production of sustainable, low-input biofuels.

Multidisciplinary research from Washington University in St. Louis is revealing the origins and uses of camelina and may help guide decisions critical to achieving its potential as a biofuel feedstock for a greener aviation industry in the future.

Biologist Jordan Brock conducted several field expeditions to collect wild camelina during his time as a graduate student at Washington University.

In this study, the researchers determined that camelina was likely domesticated from the Caucasus region near what is now known as Armenia, about 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.

Breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications should take into account the high levels of genetic diversity present in its wild progenitor, Camelina microcarpa, in Western Asia and the Caucasus region, the researchers said.

Camelina may have been a more important and widespread crop than previously thought, according to Brock’s new study in the American Journal of Botany, co-authored by Melissa Ritchey, a PhD candidate in anthropology, and Kenneth M. Olsen, professor of biology, both in Arts & Sciences at Washington University.

Archaeologists have long theorized that camelina was domesticated in the regions around Armenia, while plant geneticists had entertained different, competing hypotheses for the plant’s origins as a crop.

Ritchey said: “Through our analyses, we were able to test these hypotheses and provide a clearer consensus on the earliest domesticated appearances in Armenia.”

“Understanding the domestication history of camelina is an important and timely discovery because this effort has identified where novel wild diversity is present, especially in Georgia and Armenia,” Brock said. “This could prove to be a solution to the challenges of low genetic diversity in the crop.”

Aliyev: New weapons, most modern equipment have been, are being brought to Azerbaijan

Arbi Tashjian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
12:17, 27.06.2022

Baku has signed agreements on the purchase of the most modern weapons, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said, APA reports.

“The Azerbaijani Army is even stronger now after the [Nagorno-Karabakh] war [in the fall of 2020]—both in terms of supplies and combat capability. Therefore, we will continue to take serious steps for the development of our Army. New contracts have been signed for the purchase of the most modern weaponry. These contracts are already being implemented, new weapons and the most modern equipment are being imported into Azerbaijan,” the Azerbaijani president said during his visit to the Karvachar (Kelbajar) district of Nagorno-Karabakh.

CivilNet: Armenia’s top judicial official formally dismissed

Arbi Tashjian
CIVILNET.AM

23 Jun, 2022 10:06

  • Ruben Vardazaryan, Armenia’s former top judicial official, was formally dismissed from his post after he published a recording that appears to show his successor pressuring him to resign.
  • Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan called for a “realistic” approach to Karabakh negotiations in a wide-ranging interview with public television.
  • U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Kristina Kvien to be the next ambassador to Armenia.
  • The Armenian government approved a cooperation agreement with USAID worth $120 million.
  • CivilNet sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Anthony Barsamian, the head of the Armenian Assembly of America.

Armenia participates in meeting of CIS Council of Defense Ministers

Arbi Tashjian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 10:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's defense chief Suren Papikyan participated in the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member states on Friday, June 24 in Russia.

More than 20 issues were in the table, including international developments, growing dangers and challenges for the security environment of the CIS member states.

"The participants of the meeting discussed a number of issues related to the establishment of a joint humanitarian demining engineering unit, the deepening of cooperation in the field of military education, contact between the Armed Forces of the CIS member states, as well as the necessary legal and organizational work for the establishment of joint air defense systems," the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Given the full agenda of the Armenian-Russian military cooperation and the allied relations between the countries, an additional agreement was reached to organize a meeting of Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan and Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu in Moscow in August."