Author: Lara Chatinian

New South Caucasus trilateral expert subgroups to meet

Lara Chatinian
Foreign Brief
Feb 4 2021
  • In Daily Brief
  • February 5, 2021
  • Sulagna Basu

Photo: Press Office of Armenia

The first meeting of the expert subgroups of the newly established trilateral group comprised of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia will take place today.

The trilateral group met for the first time on January 31 at a meeting co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of the three countries. There, parties agreed to establish expert subgroups related to railway, auto and intermodal transportation as well as regional regulation concerning security and border control. Today’s meetings come just two months after a Russia-brokered ceasefire ended the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in major territorial losses for Yerevan and damage to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s reputation.

Expect today’s meetings to focus on efforts to fulfill commitments by Armenia to provide Azerbaijan with a safe transport link through its territory to the exclave of Nakhchivan. If successful, the opening of cross-border transport links is likely to improve the economic outlook and normalise trade within the region. Additionally, the March 1 deadline for unblocking the transport corridor is expected to further cooperation and concessions, likely from Pashinyan. For now, several political challenges remain, with Pashinyan facing heavy criticism domestically, including demands for his resignation. Expect a call from the premier for snap elections later this year in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

Russia expects UNESCO mission to visit Artsakh soon

Lara Chatinian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 5 2021

Russia expects UNESCO’s preliminary mission to visit Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the adjacent areas of Azerbaijan in the near future, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing, according to TASS.

"As far as I know, right now, talks are underway on organizing a preliminary UNESCO mission’s visit to Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent districts of Azerbaijan," she said. "We hope that this visit will take place in the near future and that it will facilitate and strengthen mutual trust in the region."

Earlier on December 21, the UNESCO secretariat announced its readiness to send a mission of experts to Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding areas to help protect cultural heritage, adding only Azerbaijan had not given its agreement for the organization to proceed with the sending of the mission to the field. 

About 82,000 Armenia citizens receive Russia passports since 2018 revolution

Lara Chatinian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 3 2021
15:44, 03.02.2021

Over the past three years, about 82,000 Armenian citizens have received Russian passports.

If we divide this by years, it will turn out that in 2018 more than 27 thousand people have been issued Russian passports, in 2019—24 thousand, and in 2020—about 31 thousand people, reports Yuzhny Federalny, citing the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.


JTI has been recognized as the Top Employer in Armenia

Lara Chatinian
Banks.am, Armenia
Jan 27 2021
27.01.2021 | 12:20 

JTI (Japan Tobacco International) has become the Top Employer of 2021 in Armenia. The company has been awarded in Armenia, as well as in Europe and has fallen globally among 16 companies that have received this recognition.

The Top Employer Certificate is awarded to the companies, which offer outstanding working conditions to their employees and make employees a top priority. JTI globally has gained this status for the seventh consecutive time since 2014.

To gain the Top Employer’s certificate, a company must meet the highest standards set by the independent HR certification company Top Employer (the Best Employer) Institute and evaluated through a comprehensive study.

More than 1600 companies in 119 countries have gained Certificate of the Top Employers Institute and the status of Best Employer worldwide, but only 16 out of these have been recognized globally.

“For us, the recognition as the top employer is not an end in itself. This is the proof that we are on the right track, providing safe and flexible environment for all our employees, who are focused on continuous improvement and innovation. The consecutive seventh recognition represents a clear message to our future employees as well: we do care about our people and provide them with a unique opportunity to make their careers in the best environment”, said
Konstantin Fedorov, General Director of JTI Belarus and the Caucasus.

The Equal Family Leave Policy has been especially recognized by the Top Employers Institute, under which from January 1 2021, any employee of the company, regardless of gender, can enjoy a 20-week paid holiday when having a child.

Aliya Aldasheva, People and Culture Director, of  JTI Belarus and  Caucasus, noted:

“Despite the recognition, in 2021 we are going to continue introducing innovative approaches and will focus on:

-    The principles of gender equality in order to increase the representation of women at all levels and achieve gender parity.

-    EmbRACE: promote an inclusive culture in the organization and provide equal opportunities for all ethnic groups.

-    Introduction of new ways of working: improve remote work opportunities regardless of physical location, encourage the introduction of new styles of interaction and create a global environment where the main focus is on people and their well-being”.

AGBU announces Artsakh research grants

Lara Chatinian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 29 2021
View from Zodk (Sotk) Pass. Mountainous Karabakh.

In response to the Artsakh war, the subsequent media conflict, and the imperative need for incontestable scholarly research and analysis, AGBU is announcing the Artsakh Research Grants. This newly established initiative will raise awareness and enhance knowledge of Artsakh by expanding both mainstream and scholarly access to the region’s history, culture, and current affairs and disseminate this array of information to the public.  The AGBU grant will enrich assets on Artsakh studies by adding original published work to a greater pool of primary resources and accurate accountings based on pioneering research and other existing publications.

“The genesis of this grant was the concept of knowledge-based identity formation,” said AGBU Central Board Member and Education Specialist Lena Sarkissian. “We established the grant to enhance the skills and research methods that help shape the Armenian identity to further understand the Armenian reality, promote awareness, and build reliable knowledge of Armenia and Artsakh. We want to control and spread our narrative to the world with quality data, verifiable sources, and on-the-ground research that will withstand the test of time.”

The grant is open to students and scholars of all heritages. Graduate students, academics, researchers, post-doctoral scholars, independent writers, freelance journalists, and others interested in developing an expertise and understanding of Artsakh are encouraged to apply.

Research may include but is not limited to historical and/or contemporary work examining social, cultural, psychological, legal, economic, technological, humanitarian, and environmental issues of the region’s past, present and future. Published work may include articles, reports, papers, as well as high-quality videos and podcasts. 

Grant proposals must include samples of previously published work, a resume/CV, and a proposed budget with strategy for the on-the-ground research project. Proposals and completed works can be submitted in English, French, Spanish, or Russian.

Applications are in English and will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 30, 2021.

Armenian ex. pres. Kocharian announces bid to participate in snap elections

Lara Chatinian
JAM News
Jan 28 2021
    JAMnews, Yerevan

Ex-President of Armenia Robert Kocharian has announced that he intends to participate in early elections if they are called.

“I will participate with my team and we will win,” he said in an interview with three Armenian media outlets.

Kocharian said that holding early elections at the moment, given the conditions that have developed in the country after the war, is dangerous, and that it would be better for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to voluntarily resign, and his team would be replaced by a transitional government – for a maximum of a year.

The ex-president also touched upon the issue of unblocking transport communications in the region and the issue of returning Armenian prisoners who are still in Azerbaijan since the end of the second Karabakh war.

Why Kocharian and the opposition are against early elections

After the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed a trilateral ceasefire statement in Karabakh in November 2020, protests began in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The opposition believes that he agreed to a ‘criminal agreement and voluntarily surrendered territories in Karabakh.’

At the end of December, Pashinyan suggested that the country’s political forces begin consultations on holding early parliamentary elections in 2021. But the Armenian opposition has rejected this proposal and is demanding that the prime minister leave office before the elections.

Ex-President Robert Kocharian agrees with this approach. He is convinced that it is dangerous to organize early parliamentary elections now, “in an atmosphere of contradictions, uncertainty, lack of answers to sensitive questions.”

“We have all the necessary tools for the political struggle, we also have a team. If the authorities manage to impose elections earlier, and they obviously have the necessary votes in parliament for this, then in this case, I think it would be more correct to participate in them. Otherwise, we will give these people the opportunity to assert their power.”

Kocharian believes that about 200-300,000 people in Armenian society are ‘radically predisposed’, but another revolution, just two years after the events of 2018, may become a problem for the country. And yet, if the hope for a political path to a change of power “dies”, then, according to Kocharian, in spring people will again take to the streets, and this wave of protests will be more powerful than the previous one.

On the return of Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijan

Robert Kocharian does not believe that Azerbaijan does not know the exact number of Armenian prisoners. The ex-president is convinced that the Azerbaijani authorities “are pursuing the goal of creating problems for equipping the Karabakh army.”

“Keeping prisoners is a very serious headache. Aliyev is now under constant pressure because of the prisoners, but he has specific goals – to undermine the security system of Karabakh. Even if he returns them, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will capture new prisoners. This practice will end only when the [Armenian] authorities promise not to send soldiers to Karabakh anymore.”

Army general Movses Hakobyan: All Armenians in Artsakh and Diaspora are in danger today

Lara Chatinian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 28 2021
21:20, 28.01.2021

Army general Movses Hakobyan today told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the situation needs to be assessed correctly in order to empower the army.

He also congratulated all Armenians on the 29th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Army and said the following: “I wish that the army gets out of the current situation very quickly. Our army needs to make a comeback and achieve victories. All us Armenians need to support the empowerment of our army.”

Touching upon the statements on the provision of weapons to citizens, Hakobyan said there has to be a relevant decision, adding that he isn’t against that.

Asked if Armenia’s borders are protected today, the army general said the following: “I’m afraid to give an evaluation of that. All Armenians, including Armenians in Artsakh and the Diaspora are in danger. If Armenians abroad don’t have a place to call their homeland, their security is also at risk in their respective countries of residence.”

PRESS RELEASE – AUA Raises $1.5M for Veterans’ Education Campaign

Lara Chatinian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The American University of Armenia (AUA) has successfully reached its goal for the Honoring Those Who Served: Investing in our Veterans’ Education endowed scholarship campaign, raising over 1.5 million dollars for AUA veteran students. Thanks to the remarkable response from the AUA community of supporters, veterans will have access to the top-quality education AUA offers. The campaign positions AUA to welcome back with open arms all the heroes who defended their homeland further enhancing the institution’s vibrant culture that celebrates and supports veterans. 

“The immeasurable strength and sustained giving spirit of the AUA network of supporters was, once again, exemplified in reaching the goal set for the Honoring Those Who Served: Investing in our Veterans’ Education campaign. Donations, small and large, poured in within a short period of time as an _expression_ of heartfelt and sincere gratitude to our veterans,” remarks AUA’s Vice President of Development, Gaiane Khachatrian. “The lessons learned from the unprecedented recent challenges imposed by the global pandemic and the war in Artsakh have inspired new perspectives on education and reaffirmed the role AUA must play in cultivating strong leaders who are equipped with the potential to design systemic solutions, propose pioneering development strategies and contribute to advancing our nation.”

The endowment fund established through the Honoring Those Who Served: Investing in our Veterans’ Education campaign signals and further strengthens the commitment of the University to this end. Specifically earmarked for veterans, the Fund will ensure success for veteran students and create pathways for their professional growth and opportunities for career advancement.  

The Fund also has established named scholarships in honor of those six AUA students who fell in battle: Shavarsh Muradyan, Davit Uzunyan, Erik Hajikyan, Aziz Aghajanyan, Areg Gevorgyan, and Hakob Hakobyan. The memory of these heroes of the recent Artsakh war will live on forever at AUA through the scholarships awarded every year to other soldiers studying at AUA.

“Funding this endowed scholarship creates enduring tuition support and opportunities for our enrolled veteran students. The recent war has emphasized that education has a crucial role to play, universities serving as great institutions and making substantial impact on society. This dedicated scholarship has the potential for veterans to gain a transformational experience at AUA and ensure their success,” remarks AUA President Karin Markides. “The Honoring Those Who Served: Investing in our Veterans’ Education campaign is just one of the pragmatic and constructive measures the University has taken to provide our veteran students with the right level of support for making a successful transition to student life. Shavarsh, Davit, Erik, Aziz, Areg, Hakob and every soldier who tragically lost their lives defending Armenia’s borders have made us more resolute in our commitment to our servicemen.” 

Though the Honoring Those Who Served: Investing in Our Veterans’ Education campaign has attained its goal, it continues to stay open for new donations. You may make a secure donation online. To learn more about the impact of the campaign and other initiatives at AUA in support of veteran students, please visit our website at veterans..

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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Experts call Zarif’s visit to Yerevan a good occasion for developing Armenia-Iran relations

Lara Chatinian

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 09:33,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The visit of Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif to Armenia is a good occasion for developing the Armenian-Iranian relations, Experts on Iranian studies Aharon Vardanyan and Vardan Voskanyan said in an interview to Armenpress, commenting on the purpose of the Iranian FM’s visit and the actions to be taken by the Armenian side.

Commenting on the Iranian FM’s visits to Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia, as well as Iran’s interest to the Nagorno Karabakh issue, Aharon Vardanyan said it’s natural because Iran is trying to understand how it is going to build its relations in the region in these new circumstances.

“The fact that Iran is currently showing such interest is very normal. Iran is trying to understand how it is going to build its relations in this new geopolitical environment, in this region and is making clarifications for itself. I think that during the visit there can also be proposals on economic and political directions. For instance, Iran can propose the renovation of the north-south’s Syunik section or discuss the railway issue, try to understand the joint interests and the treats”, he said.

In his turn Vardan Voskanyan also stated that Iran is showing a great interest towards the ongoing actions around Nagorno Karabakh.

“It seems, the Iranian side is showing an interest to be a participant of the process. Currently, in fact, there are two formuts – the Minsk Group, which, unfortunately, is passive at this stage, and should become more active, because it derives from the interests of Armenia and also the Russian side, and the second format is the Russian-Turkish one. Here there are problems as well, the Russian side is trying to limit the Turkish presence as much as possible, and Iran, of course, has a goal to change the Russian-Turkish format into a trilateral format and have its place. But to what extent it will succeed is difficult to say at this moment. Iranians, it seems, are also interested in having some participation to the peacekeeping processes”, he said.

According to expert Aharon Vardanyan, the relations between Armenia and Iran of the past three years have become passive, but he states that the visit of the Iranian FM is a good chance to discuss the projects of the bilateral agenda.

“We must be able to push forward our agenda. The situation in the Armenian-Iranian relations in the past three years is calm, and now both the previous projects can either be implemented or updated, but also new ones can be proposed. The Armenian-Iranian relations are so multi-layered that one visit is not enough for covering them. There is a lot to discuss. But this visit can be used for discussing the issue of the opening of Tabriz consulate”, Vardanyan said.

According to Vardan Voskanyan, Armenia should discuss with Iran the provision of a direct communication, taking into account the Armenian-Iranian border and the opportunities of the Syunik province.

He said after the recent Artsakh War, Iran views South Caucasus as a key matter, and in the general context Armenia has become more vital for Armenia, which should be used.

He stated that during Zarif’s visit the issue of the Armenian prisoners of war who are in Azerbaijan must also be raised in order to achieve its solution.

“I think that all channels must be used for releasing our prisoners of war, so in this context works should be done also with the Iranian side so that we can use all our tools. It is also a humanitarian problem, Azerbaijan is using our civilians as hostages, this issue should be raised at different platforms in order to be solved”, Vardan Voskanyan said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister has started a regional visit. On January 25 he visited Azerbaijan and then Russia. Today he is visiting Armenia where a meeting with the leadership is scheduled.

Interview by Norayr Shoghikyan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan