Author: Elizabeth Jabejian

During his official visit to the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan called at the Armenian Embassy in Moscow, where he met with representatives of the Armenian community. In addition to the members of the Prime Minister-led delegation, the meeting was attended by the primates of the New Nakhichevan and Russia Dioceses, Armenians engaged in business activities in Russia, political, public and cultural figures.

In his speech, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan summed up the results of his first meeting with the Russian Prime Minister, gave details of the talks, expressing satisfaction with the achieved agreements. The Premier took the opportunity to summarize his government’s 100-day activities. “I would like to be accountable before you, raise your awareness of what the Government has done in the past 4 months. You have the 100-page summary of our past activities. I think we have presented a pretty serious document. It consists of four parts. The first part features the per-sector diagnosis of problems, in the second part, we have provided information on what the problems are and what solutions have been proposed in this area and what are the measures to take. The third part summarizes what we have done during these 100 days, and the fourth part relates to the public-private partnership based on the Center of Strategic Initiatives,” Karen Karapetyan said.

Introducing his vision for the country’s development, the Prime Minister reminded the four main components as mentioned before – independence, security, as well as a fair and intellectual environment.

“We have no other options left: we need to abide by intelligent management in all spheres. Human capital is the supreme value in our country. I have had several occasions to state this on different platforms. Nations do not become any happier for their oil, gas deposits and other natural resource, instead favored are those countries where there are most favorable conditions available to creative people,” the Prime Minister pointed out, adding that the Government is set to provide fair and transparent conditions for all hard-working, thoughtful and creative individuals.

Coming to Homeland-Diaspora relations, Karen Karapetyan pointed out that the Diaspora is an asset for our country, and one can long talk about the importance of Armenia-Diaspora relations. “We need to understand that these are two parts of one whole. I personally see a huge potential in the Diaspora’s involvement in the construction of our country. First of all, I would like to see Armenia-Diaspora relations apart from the erroneous idea that Armenia is only interested in having charity and investments from the Diasporas. We need to bring in good management practices and a culture of communication,” the Premier underscored.

As a success story, the Prime Minister cited the repatriation of Syrian Armenians who specifically went a long way toward improving the quality of restaurant services. “I think we need to raise your awareness of the new rules of the game and the more favorable conditions in the business environment. If we do so, each Armenian will find a niche of his own and will come to work in the Motherland. I am confident that we will succeed,” the Head of Government said.

Asked about what is being done to restore and develop the earthquake-hit Gyumri, the Premier noted that in addition to the regional development programs, serious attention is being paid to the promotion of business projects submitted by the local business community in the public-private cost-sharing format.

“Following the visits paid to Shirak Marz, we approved 7 of 8 such business projects,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that serious discussions are underway to develop as a tourist network in Gyumri. “Should the Government have a commitment for Gyumri? Yes, of course. The Kumayri program provides for the reconstruction of two old streets, which may not only turn into a tourism destination, but also change the atmosphere and the mood in the town,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister said that meetings like that provide a platform to exchange views and new ideas. “I was one of you not so long ago. I know very well that you all live in thoughts, looking back and taking interest in what is going on in the country. You may rest assured that Armenia will be the best country for all Armenians. I know that the sense of pride and dignity depends on how well Armenia is. I promise that our team will do everything possible,” Karen Karapetyan concluded.

At the end of the meeting, ex-Ambassador to Russian Georgy Ter-Ghazaryan summed up the outcome of Karen Karapetyan’s visit to Russia, noting that despite the difficult times, the Armenian community supports the new government’s approaches and stands by the Prime Minister.

Photo: EPA

 

An Italian rescue official has said that a number of people have been killed after a hotel was hit by an avalanche, apparently triggered by an earthquake on Wednesday, the BBC reports.

Rescuers battled overnight to reach the hotel close to the Gran Sasso mountain in the Abruzzo region.

“There are many deaths,” Antonio Crocetta, the head of a mountain rescue team, was quoted as saying.

Up to 30 people were in the Rigopiano hotel at the time of the avalanche.

Rescuers said at least 20 tourists and seven staff had been inside the Rigopiano hotel when it was hit by the avalanche.

The mountainous region of Central Italy was hit by a succession of four earthquakes on Wednesday and further tremors were reported overnight.

The quakes came after the regions of Abruzzo, Marche and Lazio were hit by days of heavy snow. Many villages became inaccessible and emergency services worked through the night into Thursday to reach them.

Ex-Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan had a meeting with Vardan Oskanian, President of the Consolidation Party.

Issues related to the domestic and foreign policies, as well as he forthcoming parliamentary elections were discussed, Press Secretary for the Consolidation Party Aregnaz Manukyan informs.

Armenia has been included in the UN’s 2017 Honour Roll for having paid its regular budget assessment in full.

In January 2017 Armenia paid $151,338 as a regular assessment.

The roll includes the countries that have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30 day due period specified in Financial Regulation.

Nine out of 193 UN member states were in the Honour Roll as of January 10, 2017.

Turkey’s foreign minister says officials know the identity of a gunman who carried out the Istanbul nightclub attack on New Year’s Eve but he has stopped short of naming him, the BBC reports.

Mevlut Cavusoglu gave no further details about the inquiry into the murder of 39 people at the Reina club.

Jihadist group Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the nightclub attack in which dozens more were hurt.

A number of suspects have been arrested in the western city of Izmir.

The police operation on Wednesday was said to have targeted families who had recently travelled to Izmir from Konya, a central city where the main suspect was said to have stayed for several weeks before the attack.

Turkish authorities released images of the main suspect on Tuesday but later discounted reports that he was a 28-year-old Kyrgyz national who had flown home from Istanbul.

Turkey is under growing pressure while the gunman remains on the loose. Checkpoints were set up in Istanbul on Wednesday as officers checked cars and taxis. Police arrested 12 people in raids in the city on Tuesday.

Armenian President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces visited one of the military units located in the southeastern part of the republic.

Accompanied by Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and high-ranking officials of RA Armed Forces, the President listened to a report from the command of the unit and talked to the soldiers.

The President also toured the premises of the unit and had dinner with the soldiers at the military canteen.

President Sargsyan later left for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic for a working visit.

On 8 December President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree appointing Masis Mayilyan Ambassador at large conferring him the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, NKR President’s Press Office reports.

 

 

 

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan will join the Republican Party of Armenia. The Head of Government announced the decision at the beginning of the regular sitting of the executive today.

“I think the step was predictable and logical to many,” Karen Karapetyan said and explained the reasons behind his decision.

“First, I have been invited to the Prime Minister’s post by President Serzh Sargsyan. Second,   any government should have a political support, and our government has first of all been a Republican government. Third, establishment of a new party that could serve as political support would not be justified. With the Artsakh issue and the challenges facing our country we have to avoid any destabilizing processes and developments,” PM Karapetyan said.

Fourth, he said, it is the Republican Party that can be the political basis for implementation of reforms. “The conservative ideology of the party is dear to me, and there are a number of people in the party acceptable to me. From the first day of my term in office I have been tasked with bringing changes to the economic and social life and the system of state governance. This means we must start the changes from ourselves,” he added.

“Fifth, by assuming the post, I became the participant of the process of changing and being changed. Taking note of all of the above, I decided to join the Republican Party of Armenia,” the Prime Minister stated.

Karen Karapetyan said, “the Republican Party has not been always effective because of some objective and subjective reasons, but the RPA is the party that, being aware of its responsibility for security and development, has made the decision to change and has the potential to do so.”

The Armenian Defense Minister initiates public discussions featuring NGO representatives, journalists and intellectuals, the Ministry’s Press Service informs.

The program of increased state insurance fees to be paid to the families of servicemen killed or handicapped during military actions or military service will be presented to the discussions, which will be followed by exchange of views on the issue.

Following the 2016 elections, 97% of Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues seeking re-election won, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reported.

While Caucus candidates were resoundingly successful at the ballot box this cycle, 11 members will not return to Congress due to retirement, resignation, or because they sought other office.

Three of the Armenian Caucus members who ran for another office won their races: Reps. Janice Hahn (D-CA) for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Candice Miller (R-MI) for Macomb County Public Works Commissioner; and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for the U.S. Senate after defeating Turkish Caucus Congresswoman Donna Edwards in the Maryland primary.

Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA) and Vice Co-Chairs Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Dave Trott (R-MI) were among those re-elected for the 115^thCongress, however, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Robert Dold (R-IL) lost to Democratic challenger Brad Schneider.

“The Armenian Assembly congratulates all of our friends in Congress on their successful re-election. We look forward to working with the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs and Vice Co-Chairs to strengthen the Caucus and expand its membership,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “The Assembly thanks Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Robert Dold for his dedication to Armenia and the Armenian American community during his time in office, especially sponsoring Armenian Genocide resolutions H.Res.304 and H.Res.154.”