Author: Hambik Zargarian

Goris-Kapan bypass to be ready by yearend

Hambik Zargarian

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 16:35, 13 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS. The Tatev-Aghvani republican significance road is currently being rebuilt and is expected to be completed by yearend 2021. The road will be a bypass for the M2 Goris-Kapan section, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan said in a statement on social media.

He said he personally visited the construction site in the evening of October 12 and saw that workers are exerting maximum effort to finish the construction in the defined timeframe. The government has allocated 5,25 billion drams for the reconstruction of the 43km section.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

EAM S Jaishankar discusses ‘nurturing bonds’ with Armenia’s National Assembly president

Hambik Zargarian
Republic World, India
Oct 13 2021
Written By

Aanchal Nigam

IMAGE: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan and discussed bilateral ties. EAM Jaishankar, who was on a two-day visit to Armenia, shared images from his meeting with Simonyan on Twitter and expressed “pleasure” to meet with the latter. EAM Jaishankar said that he discussed the importance of “nurturing” the bonds between India and Armenia with the President of the National Assembly of Armenia. 

Jaishankar arrived in Yerevan on Tuesday and was welcomed by the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. On Tuesday, he became the first External Affairs Minister of India to have visited the country. On Sunday, Jaishankar kicked off a three-nation tour including Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Jaishankar started off his tour in Armenia by paying tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the first genocide of the 20th century at the hands of the Turkish government.

After paying his homage to the victims of the genocide at Yerevan's Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, Jaishankar tweeted, “Began the day by paying homage at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.” Apart from Simonyan, EAM also met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Passhinyan on Wednesday and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Jaishankar’s tweet regarding his meeting with Pashinyan, EAM said that it “brought out the many convergences and shared outlook of our two countries…We agreed to develop a broad agenda of practical cooperation that is to our mutual benefit.”

Apart from meeting Armenian officials, Jaishakar visited the Matenadaran library in Yerevan where according to him, “the Armenia-India connect so visible.” He also posted the images of the first  Armenian newspaper and constitution that were published in Madras (Chennai) along with the copy of Mahabharata in Sanskrit.

Hailing “Ajanta in Armenia”, Jaishankar also witnessed the paintings of the caves by renowned Armenian Artist Sarkis Khachaturian at the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan. Earlier, while meeting with his Armenian counterpart, EAM stressed the need for elevating the connectivity between both nations. He tweeted saying that both officials "agreed on enhancing our trade, education and cultural exchanges."

Armenia discussing new nuclear plant with Russian mining company

Hambik Zargarian
Nuclear Engineering
Oct 11 2021


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The Armenian government is negotiating with the Russian mining company Geopromining on the construction of a new nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told parliament on 6 October during a parliament-Cabinet Q&A session. He said an offer had been made to Armenia by one of the owners of Geopromining, a member of the Board of Directors, “we discussed the offer, we saw that the offer corresponds to the economic and state interests of Armenia”. 

He added: “This includes two very important components: the first is the construction of a copper smelter, which means that Armenia will no longer export concentrate and import ready-made copper from somewhere else to be used in other products, but copper will be produced in Armenia. Second, the construction of a new nuclear power plant is part of this programme, and this large company has undertaken investment commitments for the establishment of a copper smelter, which has been duly recorded, and negotiations on the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia have already started.”

Pashinyan stressed that participation of the Government in the process is important as a nuclear power plant cannot be built by a private company.

He noted that the construction of the new copper smelter should begin by June 2025, adding that it would be good if the operation of the copper smelter and the nuclear power plant coincide.

On 1 October, the Armenian government announced that Geopromining, which produces gold, antimony, copper and molybdenum in Russia and Armenia, had acquired 60% of the shares of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine and transferred 15% of the total capital of the combine to the Armenian government. 

The currently operating Armenian nuclear power plant was built in the 1970s with two Soviet-supplied VVER-440-V230 units, but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. However, unit 2 was recommissioned with Russian help in 1995 following severe energy shortages. In March 2014, the Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life to 2026. Most of the overhaul (until 2019) was funded by an interstate loan from the government of the Russian Federation, the remaining work is carried out at the expense of the budget of Armenia.

Construction of a new nuclear plant has long been part of Armenia’s overall plan. However, finance has been a problem in the past with Armenia unable to attract private investors. In addition, in the past Armenia met opposition to its plans from both Turkey and Azerbaijan. However, as Turkey is now building its own plant and Azerbaijan is also considering building a plant, such opposition is now less of an issue.

Armenia 2 has been closed for some time for life extension work. Plant director Movses Vardanyan said on 7 October that reconnection to the grid would be delayed because of the need for additional checks of repair work. According to the original plans, the outage was supposed to last 140 days – from 15 May to 2 October. However the scope of work turned out to be more than expected, so the plant management decided to double-check safety before restarting the reactor. Grid connection is tentatively scheduled for 10 October.

As part of the overhaul, which has been underway since 2015, the equipment of the turbine hall (generators, turbines and auxiliary equipment), the automation unit, as well as the protection and emergency cooling systems of the reactor have already been replaced. It remains to modernise the cooling towers (cooling towers), as well as build a new open switchgear (OSG), from where the generated electricity is fed to the grid.


Pope Francis receives Armenian President Armen Sarkissian

Hambik Zargarian

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 16:52,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis received this morning in audience the President of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Mr. Armen Sarkissian, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, Vatican News reports citing the Holy See Press Office’s statement.

“During the cordial discussions, appreciation was expressed at the development and strengthening of bilateral relations between the Holy See and Armenia, a country of ancient Christian tradition.

The parties went on to focus on other matters of international and regional policy”, the statement says.

 

Turkish press: Azerbaijan rejects Iran’s terrorist presence claim as ‘baseless’

Hambik Zargarian
 ANKARA ASIA PACIFIC 
OCT 11, 2021 6:37 PM GMT+3

Azerbaijani men living in Turkey wave flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan during a protest following clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 19, 2020. (Reuters File Photo)

Azerbaijan blasted Iran late Monday for its "smear campaign" and claims about the presence of terrorist groups in the Caspian country.

"Our advice to those who want to look for terrorists is to take a good look around themselves," Leyla Abdullayeva, spokesperson for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, said in a statement.

Her remarks were a rebuttal to recent claims by Iranian leaders, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, about the presence of terrorists in Azerbaijan.

"Unfortunately, the Iranian Foreign Ministry does not give up its smear campaign against Azerbaijan. We categorically reject such accusations," said Abdullayeva.

"We said this during the 44-day war and we emphasize once again that there were no terrorists in Azerbaijan. In general, as a country that has suffered due to terrorism, there has never been a place for terrorists in Azerbaijan."

Referring to last year's Karabakh conflict, she stressed that Azerbaijan and its army of more than 100,000 soldiers did not need mercenaries to defeat Armenia.

"Surprisingly, no such accusations were made by Iran during the war, and no such concerns were raised until a new government came to power (in Iran) after the war," Abdullayeva said, adding that an "anti-Azerbaijan campaign" will not benefit Iran in any manner.

She said Tehran has been resorting to "these baseless accusations" because Baku prevents the "illegal entry of Iranian trucks into Azerbaijan" and managed to liberate its occupied territories from Armenian control.

Tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran have escalated after Tehran moved troops close to the Azerbaijani border and conducted nonstop military maneuvers in reaction to a joint military drill by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27 last year, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

The two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement in November 2020 to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The cease-fire was seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

Prior to this, about 20% of Azerbaijan's territory had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years.

On Jan. 11 this year, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, his delegation hosted at Armenian Embassy in Russia

Hambik Zargarian

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 14:43, 7 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Armenia in Russia organized an official reception for Armenia’s Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan and his delegation during their official visit in the Russian Federation.

The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic corps accredited in Russia, public-political figures and representatives of the Armenian community, the Parliament’s press service said.

 

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

OSCE Minsk Group is the platform for solving NK conflict: Armenian Deputy PM, UK Ambassador hold meeting

Hambik Zargarian

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 16:38, 1 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Suren Papikyan received today UK Ambassador to Armenia John Gallagher, the deputy PM’s Office said.

At the meeting the deputy PM said that the development of the relations with the United Kingdom is important for Armenia. He added that there are many opportunities in the bilateral relations which are not used yet, stressing the need for the formation of new agenda with joint efforts. Papikyan expressed the readiness of the government to develop the bilateral cooperation in political, economic, social, cultural and scientific-educational areas.

The UK Ambassador in his turn thanked for the reception and also congratulated Suren Papikyan on assuming office, wishing a productive work. Presenting the results of his meetings with different state and political circles of Armenia, the Ambassador said that the United Kingdom is interested in multilateral partnership.

The officials also discussed the bilateral partnership prospects in various areas, such as entrepreneurship, tourism, new technologies, fight against climate change, effective governance and development of civil society institutes. Deputy PM Papikyan assured that Armenia is committed to the policy of administration system reforms and development of democratic institutions and mechanisms.

During the talk the deputy prime minister specified the possible directions of the Armenian-British cooperation in economic sector. In particular, the necessity for restoring direct flights between Yerevan and London was emphasized.

Commenting on the post-war situation in Armenia, the deputy PM highlighted the necessity for multilateral efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region. He appreciated the UK’s position that the OSCE Minsk Group is the platform for solving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, which will bring stable and lasting peace.

The security and socio-economic situation in Armenia’s Syunik province were also discussed.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Conference dedicated to 30th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence kicks off in Yerevan

Hambik Zargarian

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 12:00, 28 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The republican conference organized by the History Museum of Armenia on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Independence opened today in Yerevan.

At the opening ceremony Director of the History Museum Davit Poghosyan said the conference has been organized aimed at valuing the 30th anniversary of the independence of Armenia. According to him, a decision was made to value the independence with circulation of knowledge.

“The idea of independence is based on the identity of the Armenian people”, he said. “We believe that independence is not only a fight, but also an opportunity for us to develop, create better homeland in order to inherit the homeland to our generations. I think, independence is work”, he added.

The conference will last until September 30.

Mr. Poghosyan informed that more than 80 applications for participation to the conference were received. The reports and materials presented at the conference will be published under the title “Works of History Museum of Armenia”.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

My Step Foundation has new executive director

Hambik Zargarian

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 13:55, 28 September, 2021

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan has been elected as executive director of the My Step Foundation.

The decision was adopted today during the meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

“By the decision of the Board, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan was elected as the new executive director of the Foundation. We would like to thank Lilit Grigoryan for organizing the activities of the Foundation in the difficult post-war period”, Armenian prime minister’s spouse Anna Hakobyan, who is the chairwoman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said on Facebook.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

International Court of Justice to hold public hearings over Armenia v. Azerbaijan lawsuit on October 14-15

Hambik Zargarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 30 2021
23:12, 30.09.2021

The International Court of Justice will hold public hearings over the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan) on October 14 and 15, 2021 in The Hague.

The hearings will be devoted to the request of the Republic of Armenia to apply ad hoc interim measures.

In addition, on October 18 and19, the Court will hold hearings over a similar request filed by Azerbaijan.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be held in a hybrid format. Some members of the Court will attend oral hearings in person, while others will participate remotely via video call. Representatives of the parties to the case will participate in person or via video call.

Armenia initiated a trial with Azerbaijan in the International Court of Justice of the United Nations in accordance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The lawsuit filed by the Armenian side notes that “Azerbaijan has subjected Armenia to racial discrimination for decades”, which was expressed, among other things, by massacres, torture and other violations. According to the Armenian side, “these violations came to the forefront again during the conflict in September 2020” when the Azerbaijani side again committed gross violations of the Convention. And even after the end of hostilities following the ceasefire on November 10, 2020, Azerbaijan continued to commit killings, torture and other crimes against Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees.

Based on this, Armenia requests that Azerbaijan be found guilty of violating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, prevent further damage and compensate for the damage caused already.

The lawsuit also requires the introduction of ad hoc interim measures against Azerbaijan in order to protect the rights of Armenia and the rights of Armenians from further infringement and to prevent escalation of discord.