Author: Lara Chatinian

Armenia, Georgia plan to build Friendship Bridge over the Debed River

Lara Chatinian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 12 2020

Armenian minister of territorial administration and infrastructures Suren Papikyan, who is paying two-day working visit to Georgia, met on Wednesday with Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of regional development and infrastructure of Georgia, Maya Tskitishvili.

As the ministry press service reported, among topics discussed was the issue of building the Friendship Bridge near the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen border checkpoint. The proposed project will cross over the Debed River.

Minister Papikyan presented the course of the planning works of the project and pointed to the need of active engagement of all involved parties and final approval of the project.

Papikyan s specifically pointed to the strategic relevance of the project for the transport communication of the two countries as well as the region. 


Turkologist: It is possible that in the near future the Armenian issue may again be on the agenda

Lara Chatinian
Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 7 2020

ArmInfo. Of course, the adoption by the House of Representatives and the US Congress of a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide played a significant role in this  process. Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the  National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, turkologist  Ruben Safrastyan stated this at a press conference on February 7.

He emphasized that close to April 24 we will finally see the work of  the Armenian lobby on the issue of recognition of the Armenian  Genocide. "Our specialists should prepare, as the events taking place  in the Middle East are similar to the events that took place at the  beginning of the 20th century, when the Treaty of Sevres was signed,  aimed at creating a Christian state in northern Turkey," the expert  emphasized.

Safrastyan noted that it is possible that we are on the verge of big  changes. In his opinion, the Armenian issue may again be on the  agenda, but it will have a slightly different nature, since today  there is already an Armenian state in the world. "I think that  Armenia, using "soft power", can push its agenda in public and  political circles of many countries of the world," the expert said.   He also noted that the United States began to reckon with Russia's  position on strategic issues. "The developments in the Middle East  are clearly signaling that we should prepare for any, even very  unexpected scenarios," Safrastyan emphasized.

It should be noted that according to the Treaty of Sevres, Turkey was  supposed to transfer to Armenia a territory of 103. 599 sq. M. km:  two-thirds of the Van and Bitlis vilayets, almost the entire Erzurum  vilayet, most of the Trebizond vilayet, including the port. Having  united with the Republic of Armenia existing in the Transcaucasus, an  independent united Armenian state would have a territory with an area  of more than 150 thousand sq. M. km, with access to the Black Sea.  However, Turkey has not complied with the terms of this agreement.

  

Newspaper: Armenia opposition was silent during meeting with PACE co-rapporteurs

Lara Chatinian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 5 2020

10:00, 05.02.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: Armenia’s delegation, which participated in the PACE session last week, had a private conversation with the whole staff with the [PACE] co-rapporteurs on Armenia who had issued a stern warning to the authorities regarding the Constitutional Court.

There were two topics on the agenda of the one-and-a-half-hour discussion: judicial reform, and the dissemination of hate speech. They have mainly spoken about the latter, urged our MPs that this atmosphere being rooted in Armenia is not leading to anywhere good, citing examples of other countries.

Particularly active was the head of the [Armenian] delegation Ruben Rubinyan, which has attracted the attention of the European partners, and they several times demonstratively gave the right to speak to the [Armenian political] opposition. Surprisingly, the opposition lawmakers have not even spoken a word about the situation surrounding the Constitutional Court and the apparent pressure by the legislative and executive authorities. Why not?

In fact, the opposition feared that if they utter a word, they will be spread on the asphalt, slammed into the walls, and their paws will be cut.

Far right groups imposing agendas on society in Armenia: Freedom House

Lara Chatinian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Jan 30 2020
January 30, 2020 – 13:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Far-right movements in Armenia are skilled at imposing their agendas on society and shaping social and political discourse, Freedom House said in a new report.

There has been a significant increase in the visibility and legitimization of far-right activism in public and political discourse since the “velvet revolution” of 2018 in the country, the organization said in a brief describing the growth of far-right movements in Armenia, as well as Ukraine and Georgia.

Tens of thousands of Armenians took to the streets in April–May 2018 to demand the resignation of the then authorities and the formation of a new government and parliament. The then Prime Minister, Serzh Sargsyan, who had been at the helm of the country for 10 year, resigned, while Nikol Pashinyan who led the movement was ultimately elected the country’s new PM

At the head of the new movement is Adekvad, a Facebook group that registered as a political party in May 2019, the report says.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/277417/Far_right_groups_imposing_agendas_on_society_in_Armenia_Freedom_House

“The movement reflects typical antiliberal, antiglobalist ideology, calling for a return to “traditional” values and supporting aggression against minorities, such as LGBT+ people. …Adekvad’s young cofounder Artur Danielyan describes his movement as a means of legitimizing ultraconservative and antiglobalist discourse in the country, and considers European movements such as Alternative for Germany to be allies. Despite these professed European influences, however, Adekvad is also widely rumored to receive significant support from the Kremlin,” according to the NGO.

Armenia’s government has adopted a severe stance against Adekvad’s far-right activities early on, the think tank said. Pashinyan has criticized the group, publicly accusing it of being secretly affiliated with the former government and with Russia. Several days after Adekvad announced its intention to form a political party, Pashinyan characterized the movement as “men in black” who were “preparing to solve political issues through violence,” and called on law enforcement to “give a very strong counterblow.” Danielyan and several other members of Adekvad were subsequently detained for several hours by police, and Danielyan was arrested a second time two days later.

“These arbitrary detentions—perceived as having been ordered by Pashinyan—backfired. Instead of turning public opinion against Adekvad, the group received sympathy over what were widely regarded as unjustified arrests,” the brief says.

“While analysts generally acknowledge that Adekvad has no ability to claim political power in the near future, the movement is an increasingly influential presence within Armenia’s political discourse, particularly among youth and social media users.”

Russian PM hands over Stolypin Medal 1st Class to EEC Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan

Lara Chatinian

Russian PM hands over Stolypin Medal 1st Class to EEC Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan

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 16:05,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. During the session of the Eurasian Inter-Governmental Council in Almaty, Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin handed over the Stolypin Medal 1st Class to Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan.

On January 23 Russian PM Mishustin signed an order on awarding Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan with the Stolypin Medal 1st Class.

“It’s a great honor for me to hand over the Stolypin Medal 1st Class to you on behalf of Russia. I am sure that there is no need to introduce you in this hall. You have governed the Armenian government at a difficult period, during the global economic crisis, but managed to carry out a number of economic reforms, take effective anti-crisis measures. Everyone, undoubtedly, values your friendly relations, including with Russia, what you have done for strengthening the cooperation between Russia and Armenia. During you tenure as Chairman of the Board you have successfully fulfilled you tasks together with your colleagues. I want to thank you for the great job, and by using this chance, I want to congratulate you on your birthday that you celebrated recently. I wish you good luck”, the Russian PM said.

In his turn Tigran Sargsyan also thanked for these words, adding that he accepts it as an appreciation of not only his personal work, but also that of the whole staff.

EEC Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan’s term in office ends on January 31, but he will keep the status of a high-level international official heading the Digital Initiatives Fund of the Eurasian Development Bank.

The session of the Eurasian Inter-Governmental Council was held today in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The session was also attended by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The next session of the EAEU Inter-Governmental Council will take place in Minsk on April 9-10.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Pashinyan: In the conditions of new political and social situation we need new police

Lara Chatinian
Arminfo, Armenia
Jan 24 2020

ArmInfo. In the face of new political and social situation, we need a new police force. According to the press service of the Government, the Prime Minister of the  Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated during the January 24  meeting on reforms in the Armenian Police.

 Opening the meeting, Pashinyan noted: "It must be noted that after the non-violent,  velvet, people's revolution in Armenia in 2018, the police as a whole  fuulfilled and continues to fulfill the tasks assigned to it.  However, we note that in the context of new political and social  realities, we need a new police force, in terms of the very content  of the word>.

According to him, the most important goal of this process should be  the establishment of new relations between the police and citizens.  According to him, it is worth refraining from fragmentary steps,  since they should be strategic in nature. As noted, the result of the  reforms should be a new content that will lead to institutional  changes not only in the law enforcement bodies themselves, but also  changes in society and the atmosphere prevailing in the country, as  well as in the protection of public order, prevention and the fight  against crime.

During the meeting, in particular, issues of structural changes in  the police, a new personnel policy, technical re-equipment, the  introduction of new educational programs, training, the formation of  the necessary stock of knowledge and skills were raised. The Prime  Minister instructed those responsible to complete the development of  the reform strategy in a short time and present them for discussion. 

Enough evidence this was suicide, Armenian prosecutor general says about ex-official’s death

Lara Chatinian
News.am, Armenia
Jan 19 2020
Enough evidence this was suicide, Armenian prosecutor general says about ex-official's death Enough evidence this was suicide, Armenian prosecutor general says about ex-official's death

22:23, 19.01.2020

YEREVAN. – There is enough information obtained by the investigators proving that ex-head of the National Security Service Georgi Kutoyan committed suicide, Armenian Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan told reporters.

“You already know that a criminal case has been opened on charges of incitement to suicide, however, all versions typical for any fatal case will be investigated,” he said.

In response to the observation of journalists about whether he sees problems with this, since it was revealed that Kutoyan fired several shots at home in December, Davtyan noted that if there were no problems, there would not have been a criminal case.

“However, in order to avoid speculation, at the moment I reaffirm that there is enough evidence proving that was a suicide, but investigation will be conducted in all directions, and we all, especially I, will get an opportunity to tell about certain significant circumstances, especially about the investigation, ”he said.

The Prosecutor General of Armenia also answered the question of whether he sees similarities with the suicide of the ex-chief of Armenian police Hayk Harutyunyan.

He noted that criminal cases were opened on both episodes.

“In the case of Hayk Harutyunyan, certain information was also provided to us, and now an investigation is underway,” he added .

A1+: Ara Babloyan is charged (video)

Lara Chatinian

Armenian parliament former speaker Ara Babloyan is charged. A recognizance not to leave was chosen as a preventive measure.

As reported earlier, Ara Babloyan is suspected of usurping power. The former speaker told reporters the following: "I can only state that I absolutely do not agree with the charge and have announced that it is illegal. What I have done, I did under the Constitution and within laws."


Railroad workers stop strike in Armenia: train movement restored

Lara Chatinian
JAM News
Oct 27 2019
JAMnews, Yerevan
Artur Xachatryan

Engineers were demanding higher salaries, and after three days managed to receive certain concessions

In Armenia, after a three-day collapse of the railroad, the work of the railways has been restored. The leadership of the South Caucasian Railways made certain concessions on the issue of raising salaries.

South Caucasus Railways is a 100 percent subsidiary of Russian Railways.  Since the beginning of 2008, Armenia signed a concession agreement on the transfer of the state-owned closed joint-stock company Armenian Railway to the management of Russian Railways.

The concession agreement entailed the reconstruction of the state-owned enterprise at the expense of the investor, and the investor company was to operate the enterprise and earn income, of course, paying taxes to the state.

Engineers of the locomotive depot in Gyumri, the second city in Armenia, demanded a 30 percent increase in salaries.

Due to the strike of railway workers, the movement of trains was completely stopped from October 22, including the transportation of oil products and grain.

Armenia exports these products, and supply disruptions could lead to severe fines.

The leadership of the Russian Railways met with striking railway workers on the third day of the strike.

After the meeting, the company’s management distributed a message saying: the volume of freight and passenger traffic for nine months of 2019 increased significantly, and this allows the South Caucasus Railways to raise the salaries of drivers by an average of 19 percent.

At the same time, due to downtime, the company lost a profit of 140 million drams (approximately 290 thousand dollars).  This means that it will be difficult for the company to fulfill annual plans, which, in turn, casts doubt on the increase in salaries of all employees.

However, at the end of the meeting, a decision was made:

• to develop a normative act on indexation of 10 percent of the salaries of all employees from November 1, 2019,

• to submit to the board of directors the issue of increasing the hourly pay of locomotive brigades by five percent starting January 2020,

• Considering the positive results of the company’s work, provide for the payment of bonuses to all employees.

The same message states that the salaries of train drivers in 2019 have already increased and amounted to 354,000 drams (about $740).  And the ratio of wages of locomotive drivers to the average wage in Armenia is 198.6%, that is, railway workers are paid almost twice as high.

The strike of the railway workers is not the only intrigue surrounding Russian Railways in Armenia.

One month ago, Russian media reported that the company was preparing to break off its contract with the Armenian authorities. Although the term for transferring the Armenian railways to the concession management of Russian Railways is 30 years, that is, there are another 19 years to go.

It was reported that the reason for this decision is the fact that Armenia allegedly is ‘hindering the work of the South Caucasus Railway company.’

Presumably, this means a criminal case against SCR.  Searches on suspicion of tax evasion were held at the company’s office in August this year.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has also opened a criminal case against the former deputy minister of transport for allegedly hiding violations revealed in the SCR.

The Investigative Committee continues to check the activities of the company of the past 10 years, checking the effectiveness of the investments promised under the contract.

By the way, the total amount of investments promised by the company was 572 million dollars, 220 of which were planned to be spent in the first five years.

Turkish historian receives award for research on Armenian Genocide

Lara Chatinian
AHVAL News
Oct 27 2019
Turkish historian receives award for research on Armenian Genocide

2019-10-27

Turkish historian Taner Akçam, one of the leading authorities on the Armenian Genocide, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his steadfast devotion to uncovering the truth behind the historic tragic event.

The award was presented in a ceremony held by one of the leading Armenian organisations, the Knights and Daughters of Vartan in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

Akçam, a professor of Armenian genocide studies at Clark University in Massachusetts, is one of the first Turkish intellectuals to acknowledge and openly discuss the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian American historian Jirair Libaridian, poet Peter Balakian, prominent Turkish modern dance master Zeynep Tanbay, and Ahval's chief editor Yavuz Baydar were present at the ceremony.

 

 

Another notable participant of the event, Dikran Cherchiyan, the son of Hagop Vahram Cherchiyan, an Istanbul Armenian who designed the signature of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, told Ahval the story behind the signature and recognition of Armenian Genocide in Turkey.