Author: Jirair Kafian

Draft national strategy in fighting disinformation put into public debate

Jirair Kafian

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 14:19, 6 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. The Freedom of Information Center of Armenia and the Center of Public Relations and Information of the Office of the Prime Minister jointly organized a public discussion today over the draft national strategy of the fight against disinformation.

The strategy aims at ensuring the government’s proper response to disinformation, by preventing, reducing and eliminating the disinformation risks.

President of the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia Shushan Doydoyan said they have identified three main priority directions for this purpose. The first direction is to strengthen the capacity of the institutes of Armenia to prevent, find, respond to and analyze disinformation.

The second direction is to improve the mutual partnership and mobilize the private sector.

“We gave a big role to the private business, especially the companies operating in IT industry which could play a major role in using artificial intelligence and creating innovative tools. These could help both the government and the citizens to quickly find fake news and resist them”, she said.

And the third direction is to raise the level of education on media freedoms and media literacy.

“This draft has been developed for a two-year period, and we are confident that when we sum up the results in two years, we will be able to proudly record that it really left some impact in our country”, Shushan Doydoyan said.

Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office Arayik Harutyunyan said that nowadays disinformation is a biggest challenge, and all countries are facing this problem. “I welcome the creation of the single platform and I think that engagement of civil society in all reforms and all strategies only gives benefit and further improves the strategy”, he said.

Director of the Center of Public Relations and Information at the PM’s Office Gor Tsarukyan thanked everyone for joining this initiative. “I am sure that together we can develop practical and effective tools, strategy that will help to register progress in this field in the next 1-2 years”, he said.

Fresno Photographer Shoots Hot Spots from Ukraine to Armenia. New Video Tells His Story

Jirair Kafian
June 28 2022

At just 21 years old, Fresno-born photographer John Kasaian discovered he has a passion for documenting the effects of global conflict up close.

The Bullard High School graduate hopped on a plane in February, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, to capture wrenching scenes of refugees fleeing tanks and missile attacks. He said he was motivated to help Americans become more aware of the turmoil that often exists outside the “perfect bubble of the world” most in the United States enjoy each day.

Related Story: Fresno Photographer Captures Images of Ukrainians Fleeing to Safety

Just a few months after that eye-opening experience, Kasaian headed back overseas. This time his focus was on his ancestral home of Armenia. There, the long-simmering dispute with neighboring Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh continues to take lives, despite a cease-fire from a six-week war that erupted in 2020.

“I wasn’t very in touch with my Armenian heritage, I guess,” Kasaian said of his familiarity with the country before his trip. Once he arrived, though, the experience was almost overwhelming.

“The culture shock of actually being in Armenia almost distracted me from the project that I was there to document,” he said.

In a GV Wire exclusive, Kasaian shares his powerful images and observations about his first-ever visit to Armenia in late May.

By John Kasaian, Special to GV Wire

Since 1988 the Yerablur Military Memorial Cemetery has become the burial place for Armenian soldiers that have lost their lives in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The cemetery is perched up on a hill on the outskirts of Yerevan where a nice view of the city greets the eye. I do not find it too common to ever see a cemetery being built. A more disheartening feeling is knowing that this cemetery will only ever stop construction once this conflict comes to an end.

Leaving an eerie feeling in your stomach as you walk around this hillside, you see the stone tiles and wet cement litter the lower half of the cemetery in preparation for new graves.

On the evening of May 23, I came to visit the cemetery. It was at the end of a long stormy day. Many vases were left windblown over the graves, with flowers that had fallen from vases creating a sort of neglected feel. There is a distinct smell of days-old roses, which anyone who has been to a cemetery knows.

The combination of the muddied water, wilting flowers, and the sight of toppled ceramic vases set the scene for what could only be described as emotionally paralyzing. Surrendering any visitor to the realities of this conflict and giving an understanding of the sheer size of the casualties the conflict has produced.

With the current state of the cemetery, it was a relief to see people come out to clean up the graves; reset the vases and flowers, sweep the leaves off the newly poured concrete, and return them to their prior state. At the end of our walk around the cemetery, the trail pushed us towards a large monument. An inscription reads “Մահ չիմացիալ մահ է, մահ իմացիալ անմահություն.” Translated, it means “Death unknown is death, death known is immortality”.

A few notable people are buried at this cemetery. They include Vardan Stepanyan, better known as the Dushman Vardan, who was a commander in the first Nagorno Karabakh war from 1988 to 1994 and was widely known as a hero in Armenia. There’s also Sose Mayrig. Born as Sose Vartanian, she was surnamed Mayrig for her maternal care over the youth of Armenia and her bravery.

And, then I come across the grave of Monte Melkonian. Originally from Visalia in the Central San Joaquin Valley, he was an Armenian-American commander who served bravely in the first Nagorno Karabakh war and was buried with full honors. A crowd estimated at 100,000 people celebrated his death as his casket was walked through the city center.

Walking through this cemetery reminded me of the impact this war has had on its country, the mourning faces of mothers, and confused siblings seeing the grave of their 17-year-old brother. Armenia is in a war they never wanted to fight.

https://gvwire.com/2022/06/28/fresno-photographer-shoots-hot-spots-from-ukraine-to-armenia-new-video-tells-his-story/

COAF, HyGreenCo Sign Partnership Agreement to Bring ‘Clean Electricity’ to Debet, Armenia

Jirair Kafian
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in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Representatives of COAF and Solges-Energy signing the partnership agreement


LYON, France—Children of Armenia Fund and HyGreenCo, a subsidiary of the French group Solges-Energy, have signed a partnership agreement aimed at the construction of the first industrial demonstrator of Smart Grid in Armenia, integrating the entire chain production of green hydrogen.

The signing of the agreement took place in the presence of Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Vatché Terteryan, Ambassador of France in Armenia Anne Louyot, and Ambassador of Armenia in France Hasmik Tolmajyan,

This industrial demonstrator, developed in partnership with French research institutes and laboratories, will originally supply clean electricity to the SMART Center created by COAF in Debet, Armenia, and eventually to the Debet community. A solar farm will produce the electrical energy that will power a French technology electrolyser for the production of green hydrogen.

The hydrogen produced will be stored to be used either directly by supplying a hydrogen station with charging terminals, or to be retransformed into electricity using a hydrogen fuel cell, which is also based on French technology, and thus ensure that the end users are served in an uninterrupted way and free of any CO2 emission.

Scenes from the signing of the partnership agreement between COAF aand Solges-Energy

This innovative process of hybrid renewable energy production solves the problem of intermittency related to solar or wind sources. Carried out in the form of an industrial demonstrator, it will enable further development of this technology and conceive its large-scale expansion in Armenia.

This partnership between French and Armenian stakeholders will on one hand allow French companies to develop their know-how in clean energy— and particularly hydrogen—on a national scale, and on the other hand Armenia to be among the leaders in achieving low carbon goals and developing a thriving green economy.

This project is one of the first achievements of the “Ambitions: France-Armenia” Roadmap signed between France and Armenia on December 9, 2021, with the specific aim to increase cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sustainable development and new technologies.

“Armenia represents an extraordinary opportunity to develop the best of French technology in the field of renewable energies and to create a real industrial sector in collaboration with our partner companies and equipment manufacturers in France,” said Armen Sédéfian, President of the Solges-Energy group.

“We wish to actively contribute to the process undertaken by Armenia to develop its green economy and make it the 1st Smart & Green Nation in the region thanks to French industrial excellence. As a result, Armenia can very soon become a great technological showcase for the neighboring markets of the Eurasian economic area, as well as those of Iran and the Gulf countries,” Sédéfian added.

“We are very happy about the outcome of this partnership with the Solges-Energy group, as this renewable energy production project empowers us to add the last brick of innovation and sustainable development in the foundation of our SMART Center in Debet,” said Korioun Khatchadourian. “Since its inception COAF has in fact been entirely dedicated to a sustainable development approach, which has inspired the entirety of the projects we have carried out to this date. It is also yet another way for us to contribute to the image of an Armenia resolutely committed to the global cause of reducing greenhouse gases.”

The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that employs community-led approaches aimed at improving the quality of life in rural Armenia, with a particular focus on children and youth. COAF’s target development areas are education, healthcare, social and economic development. COAF launched its programs in 2004, starting in one village and expanding to 64 villages in Armavir, Aragatsotn, Lori, Gegharkunik, Shirak, and Tavush regions, impacting more than 107,000 beneficiaries.

Since 2015, COAF has developed and started implementing the SMART Initiative. COAF SMART is designed to advance a generation across the rural world through education that will benefit individuals, societies, and the environment. As an exemplary model of development, COAF SMART will be replicated in other regions and communities throughout Armenia. The first COAF SMART Center was inaugurated on May 27, 2018, near the village of Debet, Lori Region.

The SOLGES-ENERGY Group was created in France by Armen Sédéfian with the aim to develop innovative, hybrid and controllable renewable energy production infrastructures with an entire ecosystem of French partner companies, institutes and research centers. The HyGreenCo subsidiary was created for a particular purpose of implementing projects which integrate the entire hydrogen chain in France and abroad, more specifically in Armenia. The SOLGES-ENERGY group acts as a global operator of all its operations, being solely responsible for their conception, development, production, financing and operation.

Azerbaijan trying to form legitimacy for new war against Armenia – PM

Jirair Kafian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –
, 22:59

 1 minute read

There is no alternative to the peace agenda, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at an online press conference today.

He added, however, that the establishment of peace cannot be a unilateral agenda, it should be a reciprocal constructive process.

“The peace agenda has no alternative today, had no alternative yesterday and will have no alternative tomorrow, and we have been doing and will continue to do our best to open an era of peace for the Republic of Armenia and the region,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that the alternative is a new war.

The Prime Minister added that Azerbaijan has repeatedly refused from meetings, at the same time accusing Armenia of refusing to talk.

“Why is it doing so? My assessment is that it pursues the aim of forming legitimacy for new war against Armenia,” Nikol Pashinyan stated.

“We have no illusions about Azerbaijan’s goals and intentions,” the Prime Minister said, noting that promoting the agenda of peace is an issue of principle for the Armenian authorities.

“I have said on many occasions that on this path we need strong nerves, balanced approach and maximal soberness,” he added.

Armenian MoD denies the statement of Azerbaijani Defense Ministry about the fire on the military positions of Azerbaijan

Jirair Kafian

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 18:34,

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan again spreads misinformation, announcing that on June 24 the units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Azerbaijani military positions located in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

The Defense Ministry notes that the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is relatively stable and is under full control of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Supreme Judicial Court terminates powers of its suspended chairman Ruben Vardazaryan

Jirair Kafian

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 14:56,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. The Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia approved a motion for disciplinary action against its suspended chairman Ruben Vardazaryan.

Acting President of the Supreme Judicial Council Gagik Jhangiryan released the decision at today’s meeting.

“President of the Supreme Judicial Council, judge of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, Ruben Vardazaryan’s powers are terminated on grounds of a serious disciplinary action”, Gagik Jhangiryan said, adding that the decision takes effect immediately after its publication and is not subject to appeal.

‘I consider the warm welcome and communication in Armenia an honor’ – Ardem Patapoutian

Jirair Kafian

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 13:18, 16 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. Serving as an example for young scientists in Armenia is important for Nobel Prize laureate and molecular biologist Ardem Patapoutian.

“I got a warm welcome in Armenia, including by scientists. I consider such communication an honor. This shows what Armenia attaches importance to. If I manage to become an example for young scientists, that will be my biggest achievement”, he said during the Science and Business Days 2022 forum in Yerevan.

He said people sometimes confuse scientists with those who have a lot of knowledge. But in fact, he notes, scientists know nothing. He said in laboratory they are talking not about what they know, but about what they do not know yet.

Ardem Patapoutian says every scientist must clearly form his goals and understand to what extent they are available.

Talking about his family, he said he has grown up in the family as an Armenian. “My grandparents preserved their Armenian identity. When we immigrated to the United States, my parents decided that I must be admitted to a medical university. My parents played a very big role in my life, they wanted to give me a good education”, he added.

Armenian Ombudsperson presents Azerbaijan’s policy of spreading ethnic and religious hatred to US Congressmen

Jirair Kafian

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 10:11, 17 June 2022

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan met with a number of members of the US Congressional Armenian Caucus in the United States Capitol, the Ombudsperson’s Office said.

The meeting was attended by US Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jackie Speier, Judy Chu, David Valadao, Linda Sanchez, Grace Meng and John Sarbanes.

During the meeting Ombudsperson Grigoryan presented the situation of human rights in Armenia, focusing on the priorities of the Defender’s institution. She introduced the Congressmen on the actions taken by her Office with the families of prisoners of war and civilian persons held in Azerbaijan, presented the issue of the immediate repatriation of POWs and other civilian captives, which, she said, is an international obligation assumed by Azerbaijan. In the context of humanitarian problems, she presented the issues of the families of missing persons and the displaced people.

The sides also discussed the cases of discrimination based on a disability, focusing on the problems of children with disability. The US Congressmen thanked the Armenian Ombudswoman for the consistent work on key matters and expressed readiness to continue their efforts for solving the problems.

On the same day the Armenian Ombudswoman also had a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank, presenting the Azerbaijani leadership’s policy of promoting and spreading ethnic and religious-based hatred.

The meeting sides asked the Ombudwosman about the current rallies in Armenia, and in response Kristinne Grigoryan presented the activities being carried out by her Office and the assessments to the incidents. She highlighted the importance of consistent implementation of police reforms.

One killed in Yerevan explosion

Jirair Kafian
Panorama
Armenia –


According to preliminary data, one person was killed and another was injured in the wake of an explosion in Yerevan on Saturday afternoon, the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported.

The incident occurred at 3/6 Arin Berd Street.

One fire and rescue squad of the ministry was dispatched to the scene.

It turned out that the explosion occurred in the area of Vellar Group LLC.

No other details were immediately available.