Author: Hovik Karapetian

State debt grows 6,4% in nine months

Hovik Karapetian

 10:56,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s state debt grew 6,4% in the nine months of 2023 and amounted to 4 trillion 454 billion drams, Deputy Finance Minister Vahan Sirunyan told lawmakers Monday.

“Armenia’s state debt grew 6,4% in nine months of 2023 in drams and dollars expressions,” he said at a parliamentary committee discussion on the state budget performance.

Sirunyan said that the debt grew proportionally because the currency rate didn’t fluctuate significantly compared to the previous yearend.

“The Central Bank’s debt decreased, while the government’s debt increased around 7%. The state debt is 4 trillion 454 billion drams. The government’s debt stood at 4 trillion 244 billion drams against the previous yearend’s 4 trillion 186,7 billion drams, the foreign debt was 2 trillion 354 billion drams, while the internal debt was 1 trillion 890 billion drams,” he said.

In terms of debt management, Armenia is now within the defined guidelines.

Diplomatic relations established between Armenia and Saudi Arabia

Hovik Karapetian

 15:03,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. A protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed on November 24, between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

The protocol was signed in Abu Dhabi by the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the UAE, Karen Grigoryan, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UAE, Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Angari.

Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine is not under any sanctions – statement

Hovik Karapetian

 12:11,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine has issued a statement stating that neither the company nor its shareholders are included in any sanctions list.

Below is the full statement:

"Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine" CJSC (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), established and existing under the laws of the Republic of Armenia, hereby declares that neither the Company nor its shareholders or ultimate beneficial owners are included in any sanctions lists issued by relevant sanctions authorities as of the date of this statement, and no international sanctions are applicable to the Company.

“Mr. Gleb Trotsenko, who formerly held a beneficial ownership position in the Company, no longer retains such status due to the alienation of all his indirect shares in the Company on October 27, 2023. Currently, there is no relationship between Mr. Trotsenko and the Company.

“Comprehensive information regarding the ultimate beneficial owners of the Company is accessible on the official website of the State Register of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia and can be found at the following link: https://www.e-register.am/am/companies/1501219/declaration/09d58b41-5083-4abd-86c6-179b7740531d.

“Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine” CJSC remains steadfast in its commitment to transparent corporate governance, and periodic publication of UBOs declarations according to the Armenian legislation underscores the Company's continuous efforts to uphold the highest standards of business conduct.”

Lukashenko condemns Armenia’s absence on Collective Security Treaty Organisation summit

Hovik Karapetian
yahoo! news
Nov 23 2023
Ukrainska Pravda

Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has condemned Armenia's absence from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) summit, calling it a "demarche".

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Belarusian state agency Belta

Quote from Lukashenko: "We came to the conclusion that there have always been and will be problematic issues. If we want to solve them, we need to do it at the negotiating table, but not to make demarches without reasons, without specific reasons."

Details: At the meeting, the CSTO members discussed the situation in the Caucasus and "some dissatisfaction of a Collective Security Council’s member", referring to Armenia's decision not to attend the organisation's summit in Minsk.

Background:

  • Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk for a session of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which was ignored by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

  • Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said decisions in the CSTO are made through consensus, and the decisions will be legitimate even in the absence of the Armenian side.

  • Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenia's Security Council, explained that the country ignored the previous CSTO meetings because it "had numerous questions" for the organisation, which still have no answers.

  • Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  accused Armenia of "trying to sit on two chairs" because Yerevan is improving relations with the West.


  • https://news.yahoo.com/lukashenko-condemns-armenias-absence-collective-134026465.html

AEWC issues statement on the displaced population of Artsakh

Hovik Karapetian
November 8, 2023 Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian Non-Profit 0

Participants of the Armenian Evangelical World Council meeting: first row (l-r) Rev. Albert Paytyan, Rev. Dr. Haoutune Selimian, Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, Mr. Zaven Khanjian and Rev. Joel Mikaelian; second row (l-r) Rev. Calvin Sagherian, Rev Hendrik Shanazarian, Rev. Dr. Rene Leonian and Rev. Hovhaness Hovsepyan

The Executive Committee meeting of the Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC) was held at the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church in San Francisco, CA, on October 19-20, 2023.

Representatives of the seven member unions and organizations participated in the two-day meeting. 

Following the written and oral reports, the Executive Committee, among other matters, discussed the issue of the displaced population of Artsakh and issued the following statement:

In the aftermath of the surrender of the Republic of Artsakh to a massive assault by Azerbaijan, the Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to stand in solidarity with its compatriots in Artsakh.

Undoubtedly, the armed takeover of Artsakh stands as a stark reminder of the world’s inaction during the 1915-23 Armenian Genocide.

While our hearts and minds are heavy due to the loss of life and land, and the mass exodus of Armenians from their thirty-century old homeland, we empathize with them wholeheartedly. We stand together to assist our displaced fellow compatriots, who have suffered more than enough in the past nine months and are yearning for the restoration of normal life.

We will not sit idle as we have work to do. A God given assignment to attend to. We have a few commitments to reiterate and convictions to share.

  • We bow in unison to the memory of all martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defense of the homeland.
  • Despite a treacherous journey, we thank God for the safety of our Artsakh kin in reaching the friendly soil of the motherland.
  • We welcome them with open arms and hearts.
  • We listen to them in humility.
  • We tend to meet and provide their needs with understanding, love and compassion.
  • We uplift and help them restore their dignity.
  • We pray for them with faith and inject hope.
  • We stand by the democratically elected institutions in the Republic of Armenia and support the will of the people.
  • We deplore the unspeakable silence and indifference of the international community.
  • We deplore the unlawful and immoral detention of the Artsakh leadership in Baku and hail their service, sacrifice and struggle demonstrated while on duty.

We will continue our struggle for the release of all political prisoners as well as POWs who were captured during the past few years.

We lament the mournful demise of the shameful conscience of the United Nations and its Security Council.

We denounce the miserable atmosphere of hate, violence and oppression in God’s miracle creation of Earth.

  • We stand by the Republic of Armenia and continue to support its efforts to develop the homeland and cultivate the spiritual growth and physical and economic development of its people.
  • We expect all Armenians to recognize the gravity of the Artsakh tragedy, and with a sense of urgency to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters.
  • We extend a brotherly hand, in the most loving Christian spirit to coordinate and cooperate in unity and comradery with all organizations in the service of the forcefully displaced kin.
  • We call on all entities and political forces in Armenia who embrace the interest of the homeland to work in a spirit of unity and harmony.
  • We anchor our faith in the spilled blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and perpetually aim to bring glory to God.

Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian
Executive Directive, Armenian Evangelical World Council

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian is the Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.


Azerbaijan says does not need another war with Armenia

Hovik Karapetian
Iran Front Page
Nov 9 2023

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stated that his country does not need a new war with Armenia.

“We do not need a new war. We have achieved what we were striving for, we have restored international law, we have restored historical justice, we have restored our national dignity, we have shown the enemy his place,” he said at a military parade in the town of Khankendi in Nagorno-Karabakh on the occasion of the third anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War.

According to Aliyev, all the country’s tasks have been fulfilled.

“But at the same time, the issue of building the army will remain one of the priority issues for us. Let everyone know this and do not forget it,” the Azerbaijani leader pointed out.

Azerbaijan has the situation on the border with Armenia under control, Aliyev stated.

“We knew that revanchist forces were raising their heads in Armenia [after the second Karabakh war]. We knew that the foreign forces behind Armenia who incite it to act against us would again send it provocative signals. Therefore, we needed to protect our border, and as a result of several military operations the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border is now under our control,” he added.

“There will be no place for separatism in Azerbaijan anymore,” the president continued.

“Today the Azerbaijani government controls the entire territory of the country.”

Switzerland defines specific actions for extending humanitarian assistance in Armenia with 1.5 million Swiss francs

Hovik Karapetian

 16:25, 6 November 2023

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Switzerland is stepping up its support for civilians in Armenia and the region through the immediate release of 1.5 million Swiss francs to be distributed among key humanitarian actors on the ground, the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia said in a press release.

“In less than a week, more than 100,000 people have fled Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia in search of security, food, shelter, and a future livelihood. The international community, the Armenian authorities and the civil society are working hard to create best possible conditions to receive and support these people, especially in view of the coming winter.

“In response to this urgent situation, Switzerland has taken initial decisions to release 1.5 million Swiss francs to support humanitarian efforts on the ground in a comprehensive manner. Distributed equally among three key actors WFP, UNHCR and the ICRC, the funds are directed towards addressing the immediate needs of the refugees. With their specificities, all three interventions will work on hosting, increasing food security, and building economic resilience of the refugees.

“The World Food Programme WFP of the UN will utilize a grant of 500’000 Swiss francs to extend the ongoing Swiss-funded REBCA (Resilience and Economic Recovery of Border Communities in Armenia) project launched back in November 2022. With the additional funds, the REBCA project will prioritize the most vulnerable refugees settled in rural areas of Syunik and Gegharkunik regions, as well as their host families, providing them with immediate humanitarian, psycho-social, and economic support. The project will also set-up integration mechanisms to build resilience.

“A contribution of 500’000 Swiss francs to the UN Refugee Response Plan (RRP) was approved earlier in October, with the UNHCR as the lead partner. The RRP will reinforce UNHCR’s emergency response to support the RA Government’s efforts to host the refugees and enhance resilience.  As an additional effort, a Swiss expert has been made available for UN organizations for communication and data analysis.

“The last portion of 500’000 Swiss francs will cover the efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC, jointly with the Armenian Red Cross Society, providing emergency psycho-social and economic aid. The ICRC will also continue to support the Armenian authorities in their endeavor to clarify the fate of missing persons. A specific attention will be put on the families of the missing. This funding is in addition to the one million Swiss francs already granted to the ICRC for its operations in the region in 2023,” the embassy said.

India considers sending Armenia more weapons – The Economic Times

Hovik Karapetian

 10:26,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. India is mulling over supplying a fresh batch of military equipment to Armenia after the successful delivery of the first batch of weapons over the past year, The Economic Times reported citing people with knowledge of the matter.

A senior Armenian official visited Delhi recently and held discussions in this regard, people with knowledge of the matter told ET. India has emerged as a credible weapons supplier as per Armenia's requirements, they said. Details of fresh supplies are not known yet but the consignment could include equipment that would help to create a deterrence amid the conflict-like situation with Azerbaijan, according to observers in Armenia, who did not wish to be identified.
The ET report described Armenia as India’s “strategic ally in Caucasus.”

In 2022, Armenia became the first foreign buyer of the Indian Pinaka long-range rocket-artillery system.

Armenia can restore gas pipelines from Azerbaijan – Deputy Minister

Hovik Karapetian
Goa Chronicle
Oct 27 2023
By:GC NewsDesk

Yerevan: Armenia can restore gas pipelines from Azerbaijan after resolving problems between the two countries, Armenian Deputy Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Hakob Vardanyan said at the Silk Road forum in Tbilisi.

Vardanyan said that in the Soviet Union, Armenia received gas from Azerbaijan. Three large gas pipelines from Azerbaijan served this purpose, he said.

“And now we can restore these gas pipelines if there are no unresolved political issues between our countries. We can also be a transit country for gas transportation from Azerbaijan to Europe, the same applies to electricity,” Sputnik Armenia quoted the deputy minister as saying.

Yerevan, he said, is ready to restore all communications.

“This could change the energy diversification of the region,” the deputy minister said.

https://goachronicle.com/armenia-can-restore-gas-pipelines-from-azerbaijan-deputy-minister/

No one disputes Armenia’s territorial integrity – lawmaker

Hovik Karapetian

 12:58,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The territorial integrity of Armenia is understandable for all parties and no one is disputing it, Member of Parliament Vagharshak Hakobyan told reporters.

“The negotiations process is difficult,” Hakobyan, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional and Eurasian Integration Affairs said about the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations.

“But I assure you, the positions of Armenia in the negotiations process is rather normal today. We’ve been able to ensure our country’s security in this period of a collapsing world order. I find this to be a big achievement, that in a tense situation the borders of Armenia are calm, and by being fully involved in the talks we are representing Armenia’s state interests,” he said.

Neither the superpowers nor Armenia’s adversaries are disputing the territorial integrity of Armenia, he said.

“The territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia is understandable for all parties. Yes, in the negotiations process we must achieve for this all to be recorded in clear numbers, borders, taking into account every single nuance,” the MP said.