Author: John Hovhannisian

Gegham Manukyan: Armenian police ‘kidnapped’ MP Tadevos Avetisyan

John Hovhannisian
Panorama
Armenia – May 17 2022

Armenia’s riot police detained MP Tadevos Avetisyan from the opposition Hayastan bloc at anti-government protests in Yerevan on Tuesday, Gegham Manukyan, a leader of the opposition ARF party and Hayastan MP, said in a live video on Facebook.

"Officers of the special police units kidnapped Tadevos Avtisyan despite the warning that they were not entitled to do so,” Manukyan said.

“They pushed him into a police van and took him away without providing any explanations," he added.

Opposition protesters blocked dozens of streets in Yerevan on Tuesday morning as part of the ongoing campaign of civil disobedience to force PM Nikol Pashinyan from office, paralyzing traffic across the city. The police used force to detain hundreds of demonstrators.

Lithuania supports reaching agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan – President

John Hovhannisian

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 13:49,

YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Lithuania supports reaching an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda said during the joint press conference with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan in Yerevan.

This is the first visit of the Lithuanian President to Armenia. He said he is very impressed by the hospitality. He reminded that Lithuania was the first country to recognize the independence of Armenia in 1991.

“Since then we have supported your efforts, as well as your transition to democratic values. Lithuania supports the Eastern Partnership programs. Lithuania supports Armenia’s integration to the European family”, he said, adding that they are presenting a broad framework in the Armenia-EU relations.

The Lithuanian President also welcomed the efforts of the Armenian government particularly in the justice system. “We want you to continue this path of democracy that will lead to your socio-economic development”, he said.

Gitanas Nausėda also touched upon the issue of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Lithuania supports reaching an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan”, he said, stating that the efforts of the President of the European Council Charles Michel are also directed to this.

He said in the morning he had a chance to lay flowers at the Armenian Genocide Memorial. “This is something that should never happen again on this earth”, Gitanas Nausėda said.

Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, the Lithuanian President said freedom is highly important for the entire democratic world, adding that it is necessary to support Ukrainians with all means.

The President of Lithuania expressed confidence that his visit will contribute to the deepening of the relations between Armenia and Lithuania, and the peoples of the two countries. He said he sees a great potential in this regard. Gitanas Nausėda believes that it is possible to benefit in different areas of the bilateral relations, such as business, culture, education, etc.

Armenian PM, Lithuanian President highlight NK conflict settlement under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs

John Hovhannisian

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 18:08,

YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, who is in Armenia on an officiual visit, and the delegation led by him

In his welcoming remarks, the Prime Minister of Armenia said,

"Dear Mr. President,

Dear colleagues,

I welcome you in Armenia and your visit to our country. I recall my last visit to Lithuania with warmth, by which we started a very important dialogue that should continue. I think we should try to use this visit for the intensification of our bilateral relations. Receiving you on an official visit in our country is a very good sign, we can say that our bilateral visits and relations have gained a certain dynamics, which we should maintain.

Thank you for visiting us, for the readiness to support us and to promote the further development of our relations. I think we will discuss a wide range of issues and agenda related to our bilateral relations and the international, regional situation. I will be glad to hear your assessments and views on the current situation, our bilateral relations, international developments and, of course, also on our regional situation. Thank you, welcome.”

In turn, the President of Lithuania said,

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

First of all, I would like to thank you for the warm reception which I felt in all the structures, starting from the presidential residence, and now here in the government. I think there are two topics that are very important. One, as you mentioned, is the bilateral relations between our countries. You mentioned your visit, which I remember very well, last fall in Vilnius, and now my task is to revive our relations in the economic, cultural and educational spheres. This is why I did not come alone. Not only are my advisers with me, but my delegation also includes the Deputy Ministers of Transport and Agriculture.

It is very important to find niches in the market where we can really work, and I think, given the fact that Lithuania is moving to a higher value-added economy, there will be new areas of mutual interest, such as biotechnology, finance, information and communication technologies that are developing very fast in our country and make up a large percentage of the GDP.”

The interlocutors discussed the agenda of Armenia-Lithuania relations and development prospects. Nikol Pashinyan praised Lithuania's support for Armenia's democracy, in response to which Gitanas Nausėda reaffirmed Lithuania's readiness to continue supporting Armenia's democratic path and the government's reform agenda. The parties reaffirmed their readiness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic, technological, educational and cultural spheres.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on regional situation and developments.

The Prime Minister presented the positions of the Republic of Armenia on the demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the unblocking of communication channels. Nikol Pashinyan referred to the agreements reached during the meetings mediated by international partners, emphasizing that Armenia is guided by the peace agenda, but that process cannot be unilateral. In this context, the Prime Minister attached importance to the support of the international community and its targeted response to actions aimed at disrupting stability in the region.

Gitanas Nausėda noted that peace, stability and economic growth are of common interest to the countries of the region, Lithuania and the European Union, and that Lithuania will continue to contribute to the establishment of regional dialogue, stability and prosperity.

Nikol Pashinyan thanked for that readiness and praised the efforts of the EU, President of the European Council Charles Michel, which, together with the efforts of other international partners, contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of dialogue.

The sides stressed the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Issues related to the preservation of the Armenian religious and cultural heritage in Artsakh and the involvement of UNESCO in that process were also touched upon.

The sides emphasized the role of democracy in serving security challenges, protecting human rights, the rule of law, the success in sectoral reforms, and ensuring economic growth. The President of Lithuania noted that his country has some experience and is ready to share with Armenia, to exchange information. Prime Minister Pashinyan welcomed the proposal, noting that Armenia attaches importance to the study of the experience of countries with successful development.

Elderly ARF member charged with ‘assaulting’ police officer at Yerevan protests

John Hovhannisian
Armenia –

LAW 16:06 20/05/2022 ARMENIA

An Artsakh war veteran and a member of the apposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) party, Giorgi Arestakesyan, better known as “grandpa Zhora”, has been charged with allegedly “assaulting” a police officer at opposition protests in Yerevan, his lawyer Mikayel Shkhimyan said on Friday.

In a public post on Facebook, the lawyer stressed the elderly man was the one who actually suffered injuries while being detained by police officers during car rallies on May 16. He also shared a video of the detention.

“The video shows what happened actually. Giorgi Arestakesyan’s injuries were confirmed by a forensic doctor. He filed a crime report, but ended up being charged himself,” Shkhimyan said.

United States to play key role in ensuring Armenia`s security in future world order – Ruben Mehrabyan

John Hovhannisian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo. The United States may adopt a key role in ensuring Armenia's security in the future world order being formed in the crucible of the Ukraine war, Ruben  Mehrabyan of the Armenian Institute of International and Security  Affairs, said in an interview with ArmInfo. 

"Even now relations with the United States are of vital importance  for Armenia. The United States is an important ally in ensuring the  institutional guarantees of democratic systems in Armenia and  irreversibility of this process.  In this context, the document  signed during the Armenian FM's recent visit to the United States is  Armenian diplomacy's step in this direction – a step to be followed  by further ones," he said.  

The Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Civil Nuclear Cooperation  (NCMOU), signed by Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Antony Blinken in  Washington, is of importance for Armenia in the context of prospects  for the country's technological progress, especially since the  document places emphasis on the need for Armenia's energy  self-sufficiency. 

"After all, Armenia is the only regional country with a nuclear  facility and experts, which generates not only economic, but also  political interest in our country," Mr Mehrabyan said. 

Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan was on a visit to the United States May 2  to 6. That was the Armenian FM's first meeting with his U.S.  counterpart over the last decade that had nothing in common with any  international format or with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  Mr  Mirzoyan participated in the U.S.- Armenia Strategic Dialogue. He  held meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID  Administrator Samantha Power and high-ranking officials of the U.S.  Congress. Mr Mirzoyan also gave a talk at the Atlantic Council. The  negotiations ended in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  Concerning Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU). 

New Zealand PM tests positive for COVID-19

John Hovhannisian

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 11:50,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tested positive for COVID-19, she said on Instagram.

“Despite best efforts, unfortunately I’ve joined the rest of my family and have tested positive for COVID 19. We’ve been isolating since Sunday when Clarke first tested positive. Neve tested positive on Wednesday and I returned a weak positive last night and a strong one this morning”, she said.

Jacinda Ardern said she will not be in parliament for the government's emissions reduction plan on Monday and the budget on Thursday.

Acts of civil disobedience resume in Yerevan

John Hovhannisian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 3 2022
May 3, 2022, 09:33

 

 
Protesters of the ‘Resistance’ movement closed a number of streets since the morning, expressing their protest against the current Government. Yerevan, Armenia

The acts of civil disobedience resumed in Yerevan this morning. Supporters of the “resistance” movement blocked streets in Yerevan, but the Police restored the traffic shortly.

The protesters spent the second night in France Square after a tally and march in the center of Yerevan on Monday.

Protesters demand the resignation of the government.

https://en.armradio.am/2022/05/03/acts-of-civil-disobedience-resume-in-yerevan/

Armenia to use Black sea trade route as alternative to Upper Lars checkpoint at Russian-Georgian border

John Hovhannisian

May 7 2022


  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Black Sea as an alternative to Upper Lars checkpoint

From June 15, the Armenian government plans to launch regular ferry transportation of goods across the Black Sea as an alternative to the only land road through the Upper Lars checkpoint connecting the country with Russia. This road is often closed due to bad weather conditions or landslides. Armenian cargoes often end up stuck in queues for a long time due to the small capacity of Upper Lars.

The government decided at first to fully reimburse the expenses of Armenian companies that will transport their goods on ferries along the Poti-Kavkaz-Poti route from the state treasury. However, full subsidies will not last forever. According to the Prime Minister of Armenia, it is expected that “the economic scheme will work by itself”, the government is only creating infrastructure.

The design capacity of the road through Upper Lars, which connects Armenia with Russia, is 170 tracks and 200 cars per day in both directions. However, the actual number of traffic is several times higher, and in summer it increases so much that it leads to constant queues.

The road through the Upper Lars checkpoint is crucial for the Armenian economy. Cargo transportation from Armenia to Russia and back is carried out along this road – and the Russian Federation is the largest foreign trade partner of Armenia. Meanwhile, the cars of Armenian companies are constantly idle at the checkpoint, in the summer – due to low throughput, the rest of the time – due to weather conditions, landslides and landslides.

According to official data, 10-15 Armenian trucks pass through Lars daily. The cargo of each of them is estimated at an average of 25,000 dollars.

This year, until early April, there were also regular reports of thousands of vehicles stuck at checkpoints. 15-20% of the total number of blocked cars were from Armenia.

This situation, according to experts, has a negative impact on the Armenian economy as a whole. And the need for finding an alternative route has been discussed for years.

Georgian expert on the new status quo in the region and possible problems for the transit function of Georgia

By the end of last year, the Ministry of Economy came up with a legislative initiative to fully reimburse the expenses of Armenian companies for the transportation of goods by ferry.

“Given that the use of the ferry, which is considered as an alternative to the land route, is more expensive for cargo carriers and may reduce the competitiveness of Armenian products in foreign markets, state reimbursement of the costs of using this alternative type of cargo transportation can significantly reduce the level of logistical obstacles, contribute to increasing the efficiency of cargo transportation”, the project summary explained.

The government came to the conclusion that “reimbursement of transportation costs by ferry will be a new impetus for the Armenian economy and will compete with Upper Lars”. This issue will be resolved by renting a ferry. And the Cabinet of Ministers has already approved the company that will carry out ferry transportation, this is C&M International Limited Liability Company.

According to information in the state register of legal entities, C&M International LLC has been registered only a month ago, on April 1. Information about the owners of the company is not disclosed.

According to preliminary estimates, due to ferry transportation, tax revenues will increase by $2.7 million during the year.

Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said that the ferry will be able to transport cargoes equal in volume to 40 railway wagons and 50 trucks. Ferry service Poti-port “Kavkaz” will be carried out twice a week.

The minister said that these steps are being taken to increase the competitiveness, in particular, of exported industrial products.

Expectation of a shortage of grain in Armenia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia is actively discussed amog experts and government officials

The problems that Armenia has been solving for many years due to the small capacity of the Upper Lars checkpoint have escalated due to the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said:

“Quite a lot of goods began to be transported not by sea, but by land. And again – the entire or a large part of the route passes through Upper Lars. As a result, the congestion of the Upper Lars has increased, I can not say exactly – by two, three, or four times, so much so that the problems that we all knew before have significantly worsened.

We are now approaching the start of the fruit and vegetable export season. And we need to develop the infrastructure. We even think ( I don’t know how realistic it is), about launching an air transportation route”.

The prime minister also said that a significant increase in exports from Armenia has been observed since the end of March.

Menendez, Sherman, Costa Grill Blinken on Continued Biden Aid to Azerbaijan

John Hovhannisian
 by Contributor

 

 May 4, 2022

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
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Clockwise from top left: Rep. Brad Sherman, Sen. Bob Menendez, Rep. Jim Costa, Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Pressure Secretary of State over Lack of U.S. Assistance to Artsakh

WASHINGTON—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez and House Foreign Affairs Committee members Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Jim Costa (D-CA) pressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week to enforce Section 907 restrictions on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan and expand U.S. aid to Artsakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).  The exchanges with the Secretary of State took place during Senate and House committee hearings reviewing the Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 foreign aid priorities.

“Azerbaijan’s oil-rich, anti-Armenian Aliyev regime does not need and surely doesn’t deserve a single penny of U.S. taxpayer money,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We are grateful for the grilling of Secretary Blinken by Senator Menendez and Representative Sherman and Costa and echo their calls for an end to all U.S. arms and aid to Azerbaijan.”

During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Chairman Menendez referenced the Government Accountability Office report that found that the State Department failed to properly report on the impact of the waiver of Section 907 restrictions on the military balance between Armenia and Artsakh.  “I look at this budget now and I see a $1.4 million discrepancy between the support for Armenia and Azerbaijan. I see what the Azerbaijanis are doing in Nagorno-Karabakh, including trying to eradicate the presence of Armenians who have lived there. How is it that we’re going to provide more money – which in my mind is in violation, but forgetting about the waiver, is in direct violation of section907? That’s not something I’m going to support, just to have you know.”

Blinken responded, saying, “907 is, as you know, an annual decision. We have an interagency review going on and that review is underway, but I take what you say seriously and I’ll take a look at that.”  He continued to note that he has been “very actively and directly engaged with leadership in both Armenia and Azerbaijan, including just as recently as a week ago phone calls with Prime Minister Pashinyan and with President Aliyev as well as their foreign ministers trying to help advance the prospects for a long term political settlement with regard to Nagorno-Karabakh. We have been developing and promoting various confidence-building measures.”  In a surprising departure from the standard U.S. policy of false parity on Azerbaijani aggression, Secretary Blinken noted, “we’ve been trying to push back on any unilateral actions, particularly by Azerbaijan that would only inflame the situation.”

Menendez-Blinken exchange

During the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman asked: “Should the Administration not waive Section 907, at least until the POWs are released and those of Armenian ethnicity are able to go back to their homes from which they’ve been cleansed?”  Secretary Blinken responded that the Biden Administration is “working very assiduously” to secure the release of POWs from Azerbaijan.  “Second, 907 is, as it is annually, under review. And as soon as we have the results of that review, obviously we’ll make those known to you.”  Rep. Sherman again urged Secretary Blinken not to waive Section 907.

Sherman-Blinken exchange

Rep. Costa pressed Secretary Blinken on U.S. aid levels to Artsakh.  “The situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan has been very frustrating. And I don’t believe Azerbaijan has lived up to their agreements, and certainly we’ve learned a lot of things in the last few months, but Russia clearly is not good at keeping their word with the war criminal who is heading the country today.  What can we expect for additional support for Armenia and trying to hold Azerbaijan to the commitments they made in the truce settlement?”  Secretary Blinken, reiterated his outreach to President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan, “trying first of all to make sure that no one takes any steps that would potentially revert to conflict, but also to try to advance and support a long term political settlement.”  When he referenced the $2 million allocation for Artsakh demining, Rep. Costa promptly replied, “we need to do more.”

Costa-Blinken exchange

Similar to his budget request for FY2022, the President’s FY2023 budget includes $23,405,000 in foreign aid and $600,000 in military assistance to Armenia. A separate line item in the budget calls for $6,050,000 in International Narcotics and Law Enforcement spending in Armenia. Following broad-based Congressional outreach by the ANCA and the Armenian American community last year, the final FY2022 aid package for Armenia was increased to $45 million and included an additional $2 million in U.S. demining assistance for those affected by the 2020 Azerbaijan and Turkey-led attacks on Armenia and Artsakh. The ANCA has already issued calls on the White House and Congress for $50 million in US aid to Artsakh, to help resettle the over 100,000 indigenous Artsakh Armenians ethnically cleansed by Azerbaijan in 2020. To join the nationwide call to action, visit anca.org/aid.

Last week, a bipartisan group of 64 U.S. Representatives called on leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to stop military aid to Azerbaijan and allocate $150 million for Artsakh and Armenia to address the ongoing humanitarian and security crises caused by the Erdogan and Aliyev regimes. “The overdue process of holding Azerbaijan accountable must begin with Congress encouraging the Administration to fully enforce Section 907, restricting the State Department’s authority to waive this law, and enacting statutory prohibitions on any new U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan,” stated the lawmakers in the letter initiated by the Congressional Armenian Caucus and supported by the ANCA.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan echoed these concerns in ANCA testimony submitted to the key appropriations panel.  “Azerbaijan has destroyed countless homes, churches, and hospitals. It has targeted civilians, used prohibited cluster munitions and white phosphorus, illegally detained and abused Armenian prisoners of war, and continues to desecrate Armenian Christian holy sites and cemeteries. Shockingly, Azerbaijan has yet to be held to account,” stated Yerimyan.

“Neither the Trump nor Biden administrations have investigated Turkey’s role in Azerbaijan’s aggression, including Ankara’s recruitment of jihadist mercenaries from Syria and Libya to fight against Armenians. Nor has either administration investigated reports of Turkish F-16s having been used in Azerbaijan’s attacks. Closer to home, we have yet to see either the Pentagon or Department of State look into potential violations of U.S. arms export laws related to the discovery of U.S. parts and technology in Turkish Bayraktar drones deployed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh,” continued Yerimyan.

[see videos]

https://asbarez.com/menendez-sherman-costa-grill-blinken-on-continued-biden-aid-to-azerbaijan/?fbclid=IwAR2diJr4rnyBLyBW01hkly7ysBLRVmt_lmeJthbohjF16DAMjrEtX4l0PY8

Thousands of Russians Fleeing the War with Ukraine Take Refuge in Armenia

John Hovhannisian

May 2 2022





by CHUCK HOLTON



YEREVAN, ARMENIA – It's springtime in Armenia, and the cherry blossoms have arrived around the capital city, Yerevan. And that's not all that is breaking out here. More than 120,000 Russians have come here since the war began in Ukraine, with more arriving each day. This sudden influx, however, is causing challenges for Armenians as well.

"My fiancé and I have been looking for an apartment, and the prices have gone up more than twice. It's almost impossible to find an apartment in Yerevan. Everywhere the prices have gone up dramatically," said Rubina Hovhanissyan, an Armenian student.

This former Soviet satellite state is one of the few places left where Russians can travel, and up to 40 flights arrive here from Russia every day. Many of the passengers don't plan on going home anytime soon.

There are Russians everywhere in the downtown area of Yerevan, and I've been talking to many of them. They are largely young professionals, many of whom make a living online – something that is becoming all but impossible in Russia because of all the sanctions. So far every Russian I've talked to is strongly against the war, but nobody wants to go on camera to say so. That says a lot about the fear that Russians feel toward their government – they fear speaking out will cause repercussions against their families who are still back in Russia.

There are Russians everywhere in the downtown area of Yerevan, and I've been talking to many of them. They are largely young professionals, many of whom make a living online – something that is becoming all but impossible in Russia because of all the sanctions. So far every Russian I've talked to is strongly against the war, but nobody wants to go on camera to say so. That says a lot about the fear that Russians feel toward their government – they fear speaking out will cause repercussions against their families who are still back in Russia.

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2022/may/thousands-of-russians-fleeing-the-war-with-ukraine-take-refuge-in-armenia