Author: Hovsep Chakrian

Viva-MTS helps improve family’s quality of life in border village

Hovsep Chakrian
Panorama
Armenia –

There is still a significant difference in the opportunities provided to the residents when comparing the capital and the provincial settlements. Aida who lives in the border village of Berdavan is one of those who have felt the gap in real life. Due to life circumstances, the young mother of four, has long given up her profession. Smbat, one of her kids, took all her attention. The boy is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and needs the support of an individual assistant who has the necessary knowledge and skills.

The quality of life of the family and the child has changed significantly to improve thanks to the collaboration between Viva-MTS and the “SOURCE” Foundation. Due to the caring and professional work of an individual assistant, Aida tries to live in new rhythm of the life: she spends more time with her other children and her husband, participates in trainings and tries to turn her hobby into a job. Ecologically clean dried fruits made from garden crops already have a certain demand. The young housewife takes small steps into entrepreneurship. Despite the difficulties, she learns new skills to make her dream a reality.

"There are many of chances for Smbat's rehabilitation in the capital, as well, but my family is here. I also have a super task as a mother to ensure that everyone in the family is fine. Over time, I intend to increase the production of dried goods made of eco products. I get excellent feedback and I can do whatever I want. Thanks to this program we are not forgotten, just like the children and parents of the capital and other cities,” Aida Ananyan said.

During the last year, 20 families living in different regions have benefited from the support of individual assistants and have recorded considerable success. For over seven years now, Viva-MTS and the “SOURCE” Foundation have been sparing no effort to support families in this target group. Individual assistants providing professional support to children with special needs dramatically change the situations in the families with these kids. The personal assistance helps solve issues of socialization, development of self-support skills and shaping healthy mindset, as well as problems that require specialized knowledge; the assistance is of great help for families, too, as mothers of these type of kids get a chance of self-_expression_ and employment.

“It was important for us to expand the geography of individual assistant support and reach regions. An expert multidisciplinary team organizes the selection of individual assistants, training, work supervision, contact with parents, discussions, and writing of individual development and care plans for each child. Analyzing the results, I can confirm that the entire team is doing compassionate and professional work,” Marina Parazyan, the Founding Director of the “Source” Foundation said.

As a result of the targeted support and the individual assistant assigned to the family, in just 15-hour weekly work of the four-month long intended assitance, Smbat has already improved his motor skills and memory, and has grown desire to integrate with the surrounding world. The child enjoys communicating and learning, and attends school with his personal assistant as part of inclusive education.

Aliyev, Blinken discuss normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations

Hovsep Chakrian
Interfax

BAKU. March 22 (Interfax) – A phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took place at the initiative of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Azerbaijani leader's press service said.

During the conversation, Aliyev said Azerbaijan is fully committed to the peaceful agenda and is ready to normalize relations with Armenia and sign a peace treaty in the near future. He said he had presented to the Armenian side the text of a peace treaty with recent proposals and amendments.

The phone conversation addressed the situation on the Lachin-Khankendi road.

Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross have ensured the passage of over 4,700 cars, people in need of medical assistance and people accompanying them since December 12, 2022, Aliyev said.

"Therefore, the information on the presumed blockade of this road is false propaganda of Armenia," he said.

Aliyev said he is seriously concerned by Armenia's use of an additional road for, as he said, illegal transportation, personnel rotation on Azerbaijani territories, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, and also the fact that, in his words, some 10,000 Armenian troops are still on the territory of Azerbaijan.

In this regard, Aliyev especially emphasized the need to create a border checkpoint on the last point of the Lachin road of Azerbaijan on the Armenian border.

Aliyev also said the Armenian side in the past few weeks pursued policies aimed at deliberate escalation of the situation, abusing the deployment of the EU mission in Armenia. There have been situations of intensive ceasefire breaches by Armenian troops, he said.

According to the press service, Aliyev said two Azerbaijani troops had been killed as a result of provocations by illegal Armenian military formations on March 5 and an Azerbaijani border guard had been wounded in a provocation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on the territory of the Zangilan district on March 20.

Blinken, for his part, emphasized again that the United States will continue working on normalizing the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and signing a peace treaty, the Azerbaijani leader's press service said.

Aliyev also said Azerbaijan is ready for contacts with Armenian residents of Karabakh, which is why they have been invited to Baku by the Azerbaijani presidential administration to continue contacts on reintegration and to discuss infrastructure projects.

 

Trade with Russia in rubles: new risks for Armenian companies

Hovsep Chakrian
  • Armine Martirosyan
  • Yerevan

Trade with Russia in rubles

Armenia and Russia have completely stopped mutual settlements in dollars and euros, as announced by the Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan. The choice of currency for payment has become a major problem for trading partners in the current environment, as the Russian ruble is currently too unstable against the dollar and the euro to conclude long-term contracts. The Armenian dram is preferable in settlements, but its potential for use in bilateral trade is limited.

Exports from Armenia to Russia increased dramatically due to the withdrawal of Western companies from the Russian market, which has allowed Armenian suppliers to expand their business in Russia. Western sanctions are also expanding, however, but according to experts these sanctions will not affect Armenian exports.

Due to the rejection of mutual settlements in dollars and euros, Armenian exporters face new risks that will be difficult to overcome.

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“The refusal to settle in dollars or euros in trade with Russia may not affect the Armenian economy. It’s all about the flexibility of our exporters.

Armenian enterprises carry out their expenses not in rubles. When switching to ruble settlements with Russia, they need to convert proceeds either into drams or dollars in order to make settlements with suppliers and employees. And any changes in the market situation during this period, for example if the ruble depreciates against the dram or vice versa, create certain risks that will be difficult to avoid. This can lead to losses for the companies themselves due to settlement losses.

But flexibility can make a difference and balance those risks. For example, if an enterprise carries out a certain kind of activity in dollars, respectively, receiving revenue in this currency, then it can balance the risks associated with currency fluctuations by making its costs also in dollars. In this case, regardless of the dollar exchange rate, potential losses will already be balanced by potential profits.

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This is a mirror operation, and dollar volatility doesn’t matter. The same is true with any currency, including the ruble.

But the problem is that entrepreneurs working with Russia do not have mirror operations where they can balance the potential loss or increase in value. For example, if they received components from Russia, manufactured products in Armenia and sold them to Russia, they would be able to balance these losses thanks to mutual settlements with suppliers, which would need to be made in rubles.

But when a business carries out its activities in drams, receives components for example from China and makes payments in dollars, and sells its products to Russia for rubles, it will be very difficult to manage such risks.

A change in the exchange rate in this situation will greatly affect revenue, because it will be necessary to carry out a three-fold operation — to convert rubles into drams and drams into dollars, in order to settle accounts with the Chinese.

If you are dealing with a currency that is prone to sharp fluctuations, this creates a certain risk. You can both lose a lot and gain. Therefore entrepreneurs do not risk entering into long-term contracts, because no one knows what value the Russian ruble will have in five years.”

The only road connecting Armenia with Russia through the Upper Lars checkpoint has once again become a problem for Armenia’s importers and exporters

“Despite these risks, it is unlikely that our businesses will abandon the Russian market. This can only stimulate the search for Russian companies from which it will be possible to buy raw materials, as well as companies ready to buy finished products from these raw materials. For example, if you produce furniture, then you can buy wood in Russia and sell finished products to Russia too. Thus all calculations will be made in rubles, and fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate will not affect revenue in any way.

But this is not easy either. Russia itself does not have such potential, at least in the short term it does not have this potential.

It is theoretically possible to replace the Russian market with another one with diligent and long-term work, but it is hardly advisable. Even with a strong desire, technically it is very difficult. This will mean additional costs, primarily for our consumers.”

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“If Russia’s share in Armenian exports is more than 40%, and the trend is to increase this share, then of course it will be very difficult to get rid of such a market.

One should take into account the fact that our companies have been establishing foreign trade relations for decades. It will be very difficult to replace these connections with new ones.

For example, for our exporters entry into the European or Asian markets is associated with a number of barriers in comparison with the Russian market. This is a language barrier, plus bureaucracy.

Russian companies have much in common with our entrepreneurs. In addition, Armenia is in a single economic union with Russia, the EAEU. Russian consumers are already familiar with Armenian products, there is no need to work on product recognition. Russian regulation also plays an important role. It is not very tough compared to Europe. In Russia many aspects can be bypassed, including licenses, etc.

The Russian market is a rational choice of our manufacturers in terms of economic feasibility.”

According to economist Narek Karapetyan, three factors have contributed to this — economic recovery, relocation of people and organizations from Russia, and making under the table work official

“The imposition of sanctions on Russia in relation to certain goods is a political decision. If they decide to put pressure on Armenia, then Armenian exports may fall under sanctions. But I don’t think it will come to that, because Western sanctions concern the oil and gas sector, and there is no relationship between Armenia and Russia in this area.

The volume of exports from Armenia to Russia has increased by more than twelve times. Basically these are automotive exports, various kinds of machines, electronics, Western food brands, etc. These are the products whose manufacturers have withdrawn their business from Russia, but these goods have not been subject to any sanctions. And nothing prevents Armenian entrepreneurs from re-exporting from Europe to Armenia, and from Armenia to Russia.

These goods are not of military importance; they are produced for general consumption and there should be no sanctions on them.”

Armenian PM warns of potential escalation by Azerbaijan

Hovsep Chakrian

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 11:58,

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. Unpunished violations of international agreements by Azerbaijan encourage it to resort to new provocations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday.

“One such horrendous provocation happened yesterday, when the Azerbaijani military gunned down serviceman of the Armed Forces of Armenia Arshak Sargsyan with targeted sniper fire. I convey condolences to the family and friends of the conscripted serviceman and I draw the international community’s attention to the obvious fact that Azerbaijan is developing the situation towards a new escalation,” Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting.

Moreover, Azerbaijan’s absurd narrative on “Western Azerbaijan” is an explicit act of encroachment against the sovereign territory of Armenia, Pashinyan warned.

“Overall, I have to stress that this narrative once again shows that from the very beginning our government correctly interpreted Azerbaijan’s messages, and the reason for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict being unresolved is Azerbaijan’s policy and narrative of doubting the Republic of Armenia’s right to exist,” the Armenian PM said.

Former MP: Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is not only about Artsakh

Hovsep Chakrian
Panorama
Armenia –

Former MP Artem Tsarukyan accused the incumbent Armenian authorities of “utter failure” in national security, foreign policy and defense.

Speaking at a debate on Tuesday, he underscored the Turkish-Azerbaijani duo seeks to gain control not only over all of Artsakh, but also internationally recognized territories of Armenia.

“It testifies to the fact that the conflict is not only about Artsakh,” the ex-deputy said.

He stressed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev eyes a land corridor to Nakhichevan passing through Armenia's Syunik Province through the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

“It would close the last chapter of Armenia’s history,” he claimed.

Tsarukyan states as far as Armenian-Russian relations are deteriorating, Aliyev's rhetoric is getting tougher and he is putting forward new demands.

"We have to fight for ourselves, and the allies must help us. There are a lot of issues concerning Russia and France that I do not understand. But the lack of information, of course, does not allow for a proper assessment of the state of affairs," he said.

Armenpress: EU4Environment introduces the Product Environmental Footprint methodology in Armenia

Hovsep Chakrian

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 10:24,

YEREVAN, March 20, ARMENPRESS. Resource scarcity and the need for sustainable practices are key issues in the transition towards a green and Circular Economy. For this reason, under the European Union (EU) funded, EU4Environment programme, UNIDO is helping industries in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region become greener by introducing practices related to Circular Economy and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP). Concretely, on 13 March 2023, a hybrid event took place in Armenia’s capital to introduce the potential impact of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology in Armenian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

The methodology, part of the EU Single Market for Green Products (SMGP) initiative, has emerged as a valuable tool in recent years, as it measures the environmental impact of a product across its entire lifecycle (from production to disposal). By using PEF to assess products, SMEs can identify ways to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize environmental harm. PEF is also a crucial component in the drive towards a more sustainable future, as producers and consumers become increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of products and manufacturing practices.

On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, I would like to emphasize that the engagement with SMEs and the business community is crucial in the shift towards a green economy. Whereas the Government can provide support and help exchange experiences, the green transition depends on the ability of Armenian enterprises to seek and utilize the opportunities available at hand. Such an opportunity is embracing a green mindset when it comes to production. Here, Armenia is already piloting several novel concepts which are also resource efficient, said Ms. Gayane Gabrielyan, Deputy Minister of Environment, Republic of Armenia.

Gathering over 50 participants, the event was packed with presentations and discussions with experts in the field and provided a comprehensive understanding of the concept of PEF and that of environmentallyfriendly products.

The introduction of the EU SMGP initiative is a crucial component in our efforts to embrace a green economy, as we firmly believe that its success depends on the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders. As Government representatives, we are committed to working together with the private sector and creating a regulatory framework and level playing field for all producers. In this sense, today’s event is an important way to provide information and a platform for discussion and collaboration, said Mr. Alik Sargsyan, Head of EU Programmes Division, Department of EU Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Economy, Republic of Armenia.

The three major topics that marked the event revolved around the applicability of green product instruments to support sustainable economic growth, the EU policy landscape on green products (with a focus on the EU SMGP, PEF and the EU Green Deal), and ways to apply PEF at the company level (by looking at preliminary assessments on green products initiatives in Armenia, existing eco-labelling practices, and the relevant legislative background).

When it comes to promoting green production, we have come a long way both within the European Union and outside it. The EU has high ambitions when it comes to green, sustainable development, and tools such as the EU Green Deal will help transform the economy into a modern, competitive, and resourceefficient one, while decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation and leaving no one behind. In this sense, we appreciate our cooperation with UNIDO in the country as well as in the EaP region to promote sustainable economic growth, said Mr. Frank Hess, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Armenia. 

Within the EU4Environment Action, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is introducing the EU SMGP and PEF methodology in the EaP region, including Armenia, where it is supported by Civitta (a consultancy firm with extensive experience in environmental and sustainability projects).

While remembering the results of a previous regional programme on resource efficiency, EaP GREEN, we are grateful to the Government of Armenia for being receptive and results-oriented in both programmes. Resource efficiency is a core aspect in developing industries as it orients them towards the benefits of becoming greener. From theory to practice, as the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) methodology encourages circularity, today, we also have a first attempt to speak about green products, starting with their very design. Here, we bring forth the opportunities of the EU SMGP and encourage SMEs to become pioneers in the Armenian market by looking at their environmental footprint and by greening their supply chains. We also work to bring this notion closer to stakeholders and industries to boost inclusive and sustainable industrial development, said Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, EU4Environment Project Manager, UNIDO.

Background The “European Union for Environment” (EU4Environment – Green Economy) Action helps the Eastern Partnership countries preserve their natural capital and increase people's environmental well-being, by supporting environment-related action, demonstrating and unlocking opportunities for greener growth, and setting mechanisms to better manage environmental risks and impacts. It is funded by the European Union and implemented by five Partner organizations – OECD, UNECE, UNEP, UNIDO, and the World Bank – over the 2019-2024 period, with a budget of EUR 20 million. For more information about the Action, please visit: www.eu4environment.org. For more information about resource efficiency in Armenia, please visit:

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1106700.html?fbclid=IwAR3Di0BHNo05TtJ22U2kGlogT9yHX7p5aJii5Goz7eKIyHHN5HPSkLeMSlw

Alen Simonyan receives Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia

Hovsep Chakrian

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 13:25,

YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan received on March 18 Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Yuri Vorobyov, who is in Armenia to participate the 36th session of the inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation between the National Assembly of Armenia and the Russian Federal Assembly.

ARMENPRESS reports, it was recorded at the meeting that holding sessions of the inter-parliamentary commission in different regions and cities of Armenia and Russia has become a good tradition. it is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the potential of the regions and to outline concrete steps.

The active cooperation between the legislative bodies of Armenia and Russia was particularly highlighted, the importance of holding sessions of inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental commissions was emphasized.

"I hope yesterday's session was effective and its results will strengthen the strategic partnership and cooperation between Armenia and Russia," said Alen Simonyan, referring to the meeting held yesterday and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Tavush region of Armenia and the Krasnoyarsk region of the Russian Federation.

Regional security and other issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.

Referring to the actions of official Baku, the President of the National Assembly noted. "In order to prevent the threat of a humanitarian disaster hanging over the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, in the context of the need for efforts to restore normal movement through the Lachin Corridor, I would like to specifically mention that we expect active steps and targeted statements from our international partners, and first of all, from the Russian Federation, whose peacekeeping troops are stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh."

Azerbaijan Taking Steps To Reintegrate Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians – Foreign Ministry

Hovsep Chakrian

 Faizan Hashmi

Azerbaijan has started taking steps aimed at the "reintegration" of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region on the border with Armenia, that proclaimed its independence from Baku in 1991, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada said on Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 17th March, 2023) Azerbaijan has started taking steps aimed at the "reintegration" of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region on the border with Armenia, that proclaimed its independence from Baku in 1991, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada said on Friday.

Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani presidential administration invited representatives of the Armenian civil society of Nagorno-Karabakh to Baku for a meeting on reintegration, as well as to discuss the implementation of infrastructure projects.

"Azerbaijan is already taking steps towards the reintegration of Armenian residents living in its territory. Azerbaijan conducts a dialogue with Armenian residents and as a goodwill step has proposed to hold the next meeting in Baku. On the contrary, the Armenian side completely rejected the dialogue proposal of the Western Azerbaijan Community. This is an indication that Armenia is not interested in peace and stability in the region and is conducting a duplicitous policy," Hajizada said.

The decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh flared up again in September 2020, marking the worst escalation since the 1990s. Hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered trilateral declaration of ceasefire signed in November 2020. The two former Soviet countries agreed to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region. Occasional clashes have since occurred on the border.

Since December 2022, the Lachin Corridor � a road which runs through Azerbaijani territory and serves as the only link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh � has been blocked by a group of people from Azerbaijan described by Baku as environmental activists protesting alleged illegal Armenian mining in the area.

The United Nations' main judicial body ruled in February that Azerbaijan must ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor. Armenia argued in the court filing that the activists were acting on Baku's command and demanded that it "cease its orchestration and support" of the blockade.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/azerbaijan-taking-steps-to-reintegrate-nagorn-1661082.html

Artsakh MFA highlighted the proposals of European Parliament’s resolutions to impose sanctions on Baku officials

Hovsep Chakrian

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 19:35,

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh welcomed the adoption of resolutions by the European Parliament on EU-Armenia and EU-Azerbaijan relations, expressing its belief that the resolutions of the European Parliament, including the recommendations on imposing sanctions on Azerbaijani officials, will be an important contribution to the common efforts aimed at ending the blockade and preventing Azerbaijan's criminal plans to carry out ethnic cleansing and genocide in Artsakh.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Artsakh, the statement reads as follows,

“We welcome the call in the European Parliament resolutions of 15 March 2023 addressed to the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure the free and secure movement along the Lachin Corridor, as prescribed by the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, and to comply with their obligations under the Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023. In this regard, we support the call of the European Parliament on the EU Council to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani government officials, if the Order of the International Court of Justice of 22 February 2023 is not immediately implemented.

We consider it important that in its resolutions the European Parliament has clearly acknowledged that the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict, which has lasted for more than three decades and has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, immense destruction and the forced displacement of thousands of people, remains unresolved.

In particular, members of the European Parliament expressed their legitimate and justified concern over the fact that the ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020, introduced following the 44-day war waged by Azerbaijan in 2020, has not been fully implemented, deadly military clashes continue to erupt periodically, the ceasefire has been violated repeatedly resulting in hundreds of casualties and the occupation of new territory by Azerbaijani troops, including the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and since 12 December 2022, civilian traffic between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh along the Lachin Corridor has been blocked, which has a negative impact on deliveries of food and other essential supplies to Artsakh.

In its resolution on EU-Azerbaijan relations, the European Parliament also recognised and condemned Turkey's expansionist and destabilising role in the South Caucasus, which manifested itself, among other things, in sending Syrian mercenaries to the conflict zone to fight on the side of Azerbaijan, and expressed the position that for Turkey to play a constructive role in the region, it should reconsider its unconditional support for Azerbaijan and take tangible steps towards normalising relations with Armenia.

We share the position of European Parliamentarians that sustainable and lasting peace cannot be achieved through military means and the threat or use of force, but requires a comprehensive political settlement in accordance with international law, including the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the 1975 OSCE Helsinki Final Act, in particular non-use of force, territorial integrity and equal rights and self-determination of peoples, as well as the Basic Principles of the OSCE Minsk Group of 2009.

In this regard, we concur with the European Parliament members that comprehensive peace requires an end to all violence and addressing the root causes of the conflict, including those related to ensuring the security and the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh and determining its final status, and the issue of the prompt and safe return of all refugees and internally displaced people to their homes.

We are confident that the resolutions of the European Parliament, including its recommendation to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani government officials, will become an important contribution to the common efforts to end the blockade and stop Azerbaijan's criminal plans to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide in Artsakh”.

Armenian Defense Minister presents to CSTO Gen-Sec the expectations from implementation of collective defense mechanisms

Hovsep Chakrian

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 18:13,

YERERVAN, MARCH 16, ARMENPRESS. On March 16, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan received the delegation led by CSTO General Secretary Imangali Tasmagambetov, who has arrived in Armenia on a working visit.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the sides exchanged opinions on a number of international and regional security issues, including the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the military-political situation around Armenia.

Speaking about the border situation, Suren Papikyan presented the long-standing problems regarding the implementation of CSTO collective defense mechanisms and the expectations of the Armenian Ministry of Defense.