French Communist Party urges country’s authorities to recognize independence of Artsakh
18:18, 1 November, 2019
PARIS, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Communist Party of France urged the country’s authorities to recognize the independence of Artsakh, Armenpress reports citing the party’s website.
“The French Communist Party strongly urges the President of the Republic to take into account the democratic process through which the people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their Republic. The party also urges the French government to act as fast as possible so that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will raise this issue before the international community to achieve multilateral recognition. She must be able to ensure an international protection for the people of Nagorno Karabakh who are under the threat of a genocide”, the statement says.
The party’s statement is titled “Ensuring the protection of the people of Nagorno Karabakh is a base for building peace in the South Caucasus”. The party also talked about the Azerbaijani aggression, the 2016 April War and attack, stating that Azerbaijan has always had an aspiration to a territory where Armenians live and create their future. “The Armenian people have shown their dedication to freedom and democracy at the cost of numerous sacrifices. The French people and Armenians have a long tradition of friendship and solidarity”, the party’s statement added.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Armenia-EU formed agenda demands to start visa liberalization dialogue – deputy FM
18:52, 25 October, 2019
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Avet Adonts says the agenda formed between Armenia and the European Union demands at least to start the visa liberalization dialogue.
“This is today’s demand because the formed agenda, its content and the implementation of its agenda require that”, the deputy FM said during an international conference titled “Effective promotion of visa liberalization in Georgia, Moldova and Armenia through exchange of experience” in Yerevan.
The deputy FM said the talks on visa liberalization will start when there is a consensus between all member states over the launch of the dialogue. The deputy minister said there is no consensus yet, despite the fact that the EU’s institutions have positive moods and repeatedly announced that.
“The inter-agency group formed in Armenia, which involves representatives of the Police, the Foreign Ministry and the Migration Service, already visited more than 10 EU member states, and currently technical issues are being discussed. But now I can state that this issue has started to bear a political character”, he said, adding that the visits and the working consultations continue.
The deputy FM expressed hope that the visa liberalization dialogue will launch by the end of the year.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
The Armenian humanitarian mission in Syria delivered medical supplies to the military hospital of Aleppo on Thursday, the Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise reported.
The leadership of the military hospital expressed gratitude to the Armenian doctors not only for the medical supplies, but also for the daily medical care provided in the Armenian nursing home and in a number of medical facilities across the city.
The director of the hospital, General Fayez al-Ayoubi said that the Armenian and Syrian doctors are making joint efforts to help the war victims.
“Our Armenian colleagues provide professional humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria every day,” he said. “We all greatly appreciate this important step that Armenians have taken to support us is these difficult times.”
The hospital chief also thanked the Armenian authorities and healthcare agencies for constant support.
BY CATHERINE YESAYAN
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, may not be on the list of places that you’d like to visit, but it ought to be. I, for one, fell in love with the city.Sweden, by population and territory, is the largest country in Scandinavia, and maybe the friendliest. Before my visit to Sweden, the first thing that came to my mind was the deep cold, with long winter days. However, after finally visiting Stockholm, I have an entirely different perspective.
Stockholm, where I arrived by bus from Copenhagen, was my last stop in Europe before I flew to Armenia. I had communicated, by email, with a few people in Sweden who are involved with the Armenian community there.
Before I proceed with my report, I’d like to say a quick word about the relationship between Swedes and Armenians. In the annals of history, the first documented encounters of Swedes with Armenians trace back to the 10th century, when the Vikings established trade routes along the Volga and Dnipro rivers through Russia, towards the Black Sea. They traded goods from the Far East along the Silk Road, thus passing through Armenia towards the coast of the Black Sea.
However, there’s no mention of an Armenian presence in Sweden before the 18th century. In 1714, Swedish King Charles XII brought a trade delegation to Sweden from the Ottoman Empire, including some Armenian financiers and merchants. A deeper search reveals a reference to two other Armenians. One is Constantine d’Ohsson, who, as a young man, arrived in Sweden from Constantinople in 1797. He graduated from Uppsala University and became a highly successful Swedish diplomat. Another person of interest is Ohan Demirgian, who was a page at Charles XV’s court in Stockholm in the 1860s.
Catherine with the board of Sardarabad Agoump
The main immigration of Armenians to Sweden began in the 1970s, in different waves. During the 70s and 80s, it was Armenians from Lebanon and Iran. And, more recently, in large numbers, are Armenians from Syria. Today, the number of Armenians in Sweden is estimated to be around 12,000.
Before arriving to Stockholm, I had connected with Vahagn Avedian, the spokesperson of the Union of the Armenian Associations in Sweden. I had briefly spoken to him through an email. Vahagn introduced me to Aram Yanekian, who kindly offered to pick me up from the bus station. It was the warmest welcome I could have expected. Aram, who serves as the chair of the Hye Taad, drove me to where I was staying, about 25 minutes away. He had just returned from Armenia where he, with 46 other Armenians from different countries, had ascended Mt. Ararat.
As we drove to my place, he shared the details of his journey to the top of the mountain. With much excitement, he detailed his trip. “We hit the road in the wee hours of early morning from Yerevan. The bus ride took 16 hours to cross the borders of Georgia, and then Turkey, to arrive to the city of Bayazit, where we spent the night prior to our hike.” He explained that the reason it took 16 hours was because, on the way there, they had stopped to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ani. Then, they had a stop at the city of Kars. He shared with me his emotions of visiting the historic Armenian settlements and the ascent of Mt. Ararat. I felt a true closeness with him, as if I knew him from before. His cheery attitude was infectious.
The next day, for lunch, I met Vahagn. He, like Aram, was incredibly friendly. They both made me feel very much at home. Vahagn, as a young boy, was sent to stay with his uncle in Sweden after the Islamic Revolution. Two years later, in 1989, his parents joined him in Iran. Today, he lives in Uppsala with his wife and two boys. As we ate, Vahagn gave me a run down about the dissemination of Armenians and the available organizations in different cities. The Armenians are spread out in couple of major cities: Stockholm, Uppsala, Södertälje, Västerås, Örebro and Göterborg (Gothenburg).
The Homenetmen Scouts of Södertälje
In the 1980s and 90s, due to the Islamic Revolution, there was a surge of Armenians from Iran to Sweden. Most of those individuals settled in Uppsala, a city about an hour away to the north of Stockholm. Over the last 20 years, the number of Armenians in Uppsala has diminished. The decrease is due to a large number of Armenians, mostly from Iran, who have left Sweden to settle in the United States. Today, the population of Armenians in Uppsala is only 1,000.
On my last day in Stockholm, I took the train to visit Uppsala. Alenoosh, the President of the Raffi Cultural Center in Uppsala, had contacted me a day earlier and had invited me to visit there. I received another warm welcome. Alenoosh, her son, and two other friends, greeted me at the train station. They took me to a nearby Trattoria – an Italian restaurant – which was owned by two Armenian brothers, Alex and Hovo. In that very Italian setting, we had a very Italian dinner – pizza! Alex and Hovo also have a second restaurant on the other side of Uppsala, which, on September 21, will host the banquet arranged by the Raffi Center on the anniversary of the Armenian Independence Day from the Soviet Union.
Alenoosh explained that the center was very active during the 90s. They had a cultural group and Saturday Armenian language school with 50 kids. But, as the community shrunk, their activities have changed course. In order to bring the community together, and not lose contact with the families, Alenoosh and her board have made plans to generate many interesting events throughout the year to draw the participation of young and old alike. In month of May, for the celebration of Christ’s ascension, they arranged a picnic next to a lake. The Ascension Day in Armenian is called “Hampartsoum” and it is one of the most beloved Armenian traditional events. It is celebrated outdoors with special songs and games. In addition of the celebration of the Independence Day, they’re going to have wine tasting, group painting, and will celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
It was Vahagn who had asked Alenoosh to contact me. I truly enjoyed my visit to Uppsala and my time with them. Later, Alenoosh and her son took me back to the train station, where I took the 8:24 p.m. train back to Stockholm.
A khachkar at the church in Södertälje
Södertäljes is about half an hour away from the center of Stockholm. Today, it has the most concentrated population of Armenians, about 4,000. In the recent years, it is estimated that approximately 3,000 Syrian Armenians have moved to Södertälje. Most are from Kamshli, a city in Syria, near the borders of Turkey and Iraq.
On Friday evening, around 7 p.m., Aram took me to the Armenian “Acoumb” – the Armenian Center of Södertälje – named Sardarbad, after the decisive Armenian victory where they repelled the Ottoman forces and could establish the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. The Sardarabad center is backed by the Dashnak political party, an international umbrella organization under which are the components of the Armenian Relief Society (HOM), the General Athletic Union (Homenetment), the Cultural foundation (Hamazkayin), and the Armenian Youth Federation.Three years ago, the community was able to purchase the building where the center is housed. In the foyer, young and old were gathered. Some were playing billiard and many other were busy playing backgammon and card games.
At the Armenian Center, I met with a few members of the board. The first person I talked to was Rosaline. She arrived from Beirut four years ago. She’s married and has a six-year-old daughter. As a board member, she oversees the cultural and educational component under Hamazkayin. The center has an Armenian traditional dance group, divided in two age groups – One is for children ages 6 to 12, and the other for individuals in their teens and up to their 30s. Combined, they have 60 dancers. The group has two dance instructors, Mariette, who is from Iran, and Sevag, who is from Syria. They’re preparing a concert to be staged in December. Rosaline also plans to expand the Armenian language classes, where the kids meet once a week on Fridays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. After the language class, the kids join the scout’s activities.
At the center, I also met Zvart, who’s a board member of the women’s committee of the Armenian Relief Society. The chapter’s name is Akhtamar, and it has 70 members who meet twice a month. The group is very active. HOM has an additional women’s committee at the Armenian Center of Stockholm who are active, but have only 50 members.
Inside the Södertälje’s Armenian church
On Sunday, it was my good fortune to be present at a picnic event organized by the Armenian Scouts of Södertälje and their parents, to celebrate a back to school event. Again, Aram Yanekian, picked me up and drove me to the park by a lake where the event was held. I cannot stress enough how beautiful and serene of a scene the park was. It was at the edge of a forest bordered by a pasture and a peaceful silvery lake. There are a total of 84 Homenetmen Scouts in Södertälje. Fifty-four scouts and close to one hundred parents and other adults participated in the day’s festivities.
The daily forecast predicted rain showers, but the weather changed and became a comfortable overcast – the perfect weather for a picnic. As we arrived, the smell of grilled kebabs filled the air. A few volunteers were in charge of preparing the food. Around 2 p.m., the youngsters wrapped up their activities and games. Before enjoying the delectable food that I’m sure they could hardly wait for, the scouts lined up to perform the flag ceremony of the color guard and to recite their pledges. The kids ranged in age from six years old to sixteen, who were all neatly dressed in their uniforms. The ceremony aroused my emotions. It was heartwarming to see that our Armenian society is thriving on “Odar Aperoom” (on foreign shores).
After the picnic, Aram drove me to visit the Armenian Apostolic church of Södertälje, which is the only Armenian Church in all of Scandinavia. The church was purchased four years ago, with the help of some benefactors and fundraising by the whole community. The resident priest, who is from Etchmiadzin, leads a full liturgy service every Sunday. The church has a community room where, after the service, the congregation gathers to have coffee and refreshments. Aram, who had accompanied me to the church, said, “On special occasions, such as Easter, the church gets overflown with the Parish.”
The Armenian community of Stockholm uses the church for more than just services. One room at the church is dedicated to Sunday Bible school, where the kids are kept busy while parents attend the Sunday service. The church is also used by =the women’s committee once a month, when they prepare food to have a Saturday evening dinner at the church. Twice a year, they arrange banquets. The preparations are underway for a banquet on November 8 of this year. For that occasion, they have invited Harout Pamboukjian to sing. They’re expecting about 700 guests.
Inside the Azadamard Agoump
On Sunday morning, before heading to Södertälje for the picnic, I took the Metro to Akalla, a suburb of Stockholm, where some Armenians live. The Armenian community of Akalla gathers at a Swedish church, where a priest from Etchmiadzin leads Sunday services, as well as the celebration of some ecclesiastical traditions, such as the blessing of the grapes. On that day, there were close to 70 people in attendance at the church. The liturgy included full-fledged sacraments, according to Armenian rites. I couldn’t stay to the end of the worship, because Aram was supposed to pick me up from another Metro station and to drive me to the picnic.
A quick word about Persians in Sweden: Akalla has a population of around 9,000 people, of which 60 percent are immigrants – mostly Iranians. In the whole of Sweden, there’s an estimated 100,000 Iranians. Most are concentrated in city of Göterborg (Gothenburg).
On Saturday evening, Hovsep Hamamjian, the Director of the Armenian Society of Stockholm, picked me up and took me to their center, which is also backed by the Dashnak political party. The Azadamard social home of Stockholm, very recently, moved to this new rented quarters. They had done a fantastic job of refurbishing the place, which felt like it was squeaky clean. Their activities are same as the Sardarabad center; however, they have fewer members. While I was there, I met a few board members who were working on stuffing envelopes with invitations for an upcoming banquet, on September 28, to celebrate the opening of the center. I also met Nayiri, who is one of the scout’s group leaders. She said the center has 40 scouts and 10 leaders. The center also has a little cafe where one can buy all sorts of refreshments, coffee, and sandwiches. I chose a soujouk (spicy sausage) sandwich with tomatoes. It was very delicious.
Örebro is about two hours west of Stockholm. The Ararat Armenian Association was founded in Örebro in 2003. As with any other cultural center, the aim is to preserve Armenian traditions and language. The Association often organizes speakers at the University of Örebro, to bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide. A monument dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims was unveiled in the city on May 29, 2015.
Armenian sacraments at a Swedish church
The Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden was founded in 1993 in Uppsala. Later, due to practical reasons the seat of the UAAS was moved to the capital of Sweden, Stockholm. As the name suggests, the UAAS consists of its member associations spread throughout Sweden, currently numbering 12 with around 1,200 individual members. The primarily task of the organization is to coordinate the activities of its member associations and act as a representative and spokesperson for the Armenian community in Sweden. It also acts as a bridge between the Swedish society and Armenians through the Armenian Embassy
Aram told me that, this year, he and a few other Armenians of Södertälje accompanied their mayor, Boel Godner, to Armenia in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. The purpose was to connect her closely to Armenian culture. Every year, on April 24, about 1,000 Armenians gather at King’s Garden in Stockholm. As with any political rally, many dignitaries give speeches for the occasion. Afterwards, the whole group proceeds to the Turkish embassy carrying loudspeakers, Armenian and Swedish flags. At the end of the day, some community members visit the grave of Alma Johansson (1880 – 1974), to give their respect to a woman who, like many other missionaries during the Armenian Genocide, saved thousands of orphans and women. She began her life as a missionary in Armenia, first in Mush, from 1901 to 1915 and afterwards continued working with Armenian refugees in Greece.
The Armenian Embassy was established about seven years ago in Stockholm. Alexandre Arzumanyan is the new Ambassador, who was moved, a few months ago – in March – from Denmark to Sweden. There’s no longer an embassy in Denmark. However the embassy in Stockholm covers all four Scandinavian countries.
The Armenian community in Stockholm also has a history in politics. Esabelle Dingizian, who was born in Iraq to Armenian parents, was three years old when her family moved to Sweden. She’s been active in politics since her 30s. She was first elected into office was in 1998, as a member of the Botkyrka Municipality council. In 2014, Dingizian was elected as the Third Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament. Murad Artin, who was also born in Iraq, has been active in the Örenbro Municipality. He’s been in politics since 1998. He’s been a member of the Swedish Parliament – representing the Left Party. Artin Karapet is also politically involved, as he is currently a member of the Swedish parliament, representing the Moderate Party.
Sweden, and its Armenian community, surpassed all my expectations. Stockholm is surrounded with many lakes and exceptional sceneries and the people are very kind. The old town, which dates back 400 years, is so well preserved. What a pleasant experience it was to stroll in its cobblestone narrow streets and stop at restaurants to have a bite. It’s a city that calls you back
ARKA, Armenia Oct 11 2019 Bureau of Armenian Revolutionary Federation issues statement condemning Turkey’s attack on Syria YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/.The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation issued a statement on Thursday strongly condemning Turkey’s brutal attack on Syria and calling on the international community to curbing Ankara’s destructive actions that threaten the security of the region. In its statement, the ARF Bureau says that once again, with complete disregard to international rights of states and individuals, Turkey has launched a military attack on northeastern Syria. The Turkish plan to establish a so-called security zone threatens not only Syria’s territorial integrity, but also the security of this area's Kurdish majority as well as ethnic and religious minorities, including Armenians, and aims to establish a new demographic order in the area. By sponsoring extremists in Syria for a long time, Turkey, under the guise of fighting terrorism, has created room for new threats of new military tension escalation, massacres, migration, reactivation of terrorist groups and a new humanitarian crisis. The ARF Bureau finds it very alarming that this is taking place at a time of international efforts to ease tension in Syria and create an atmosphere of reconciliation and peace in the country. Inadequate reaction of the organizations involved in the mediation process to the criminal acts of the country that has committed a genocide. Thus, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau condemns the actions of the criminal Turkish regime which has declared war on sovereign nation with genocidal intentions toward the majority Kurdish population and national minorities in the area, pledges to contribute to efforts in securing the safety of our brethren who are in the immediate areas of the military operation and assist in relief efforts and expresses its solidarity with the friendly people of Syria and finds it imperative that nations engaged in the regional processes and the international community take resolute steps to halt the Turkish regime with the aim of securing stable peace in the region. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Turkey would launch a military offensive against the Kurdistan Labor Party and the "Islamic State". Turkish troops have launched their offensive in northern Syria, and ethnic Armenians in northern Syria are under fire now. -0--- https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__arka.am_en_news_politics_bureau-5Fof-5Farmenian-5Frevolutionary-5Ffederation-5Fissues-5Fstatement-5Fcondemning-5Fturkey-5Fs-5Fattack-5Fon-5Fsyria_&d=DwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=aXviPbR9UwIdPrRh4Djrs5g1SZ0WWltSRC2o9qMwBqo&s=Vq_V8fpNJgqjvAFkIsniRv7UdRkbaaJvnlLbDDhUf_M&e=
Սերժ Սարգսյանի պաշտոնաթողությունից եւ ՀՀ-ում «Թավշյա հեղափոխության» հաղթանակից անմիջապես հետո նոր վարչակարգի դեմ հնի մշտական պայքարը ժամանակ առ ժամանակ սրվում է: Գործի են դրվում պայքարի բոլոր թույլատրելի ու անթույլատրելի հնարքները` սոցիալական ցանցերի եւ ԶԼՄ-ների ամենալայն օգտագործմամբ: Ամեն ինչ արվում է, որպեսզի երկրում տեղի ունեցող դրական գործընթացներն ամբողջությամբ նսեմացվեն եւ լույս աշխարհ գան «ֆեյքային» լուրեր, «հետազոտություններ», մամլո ասուլիսներ ու հարցազրույցներ, որոնցում իշխանությունների ցանկացած գործողություն՝ անկախ դրանց համարժեքությունից, գնահատվեն որպես աղաղակող սխալներ, ձախողումներ, որոնք, իբր, ամենամոտ ապագայում հանգեցնելու են երկրի փլուզմանը: Այսպես` ներքին քաղաքականության մեջ բոլոր նախաձեռնությունները, գաղափարները, երկրի զարգացման վերաբերյալ կառավարության որոշումները, արդյունաբերության եւ բարձր տեխնոլոգիաների կիրառմամբ` արդյունաբերության ու գիտության կայացման ռազմավարական ուղղությունները, արժանանում են անհիմն քննադատության: Ոմանց կարծիքով, արտաքին քաղաքական գործունեությունն, ընդհանրապես, ոչ մի քննադատության չի դիմանում, եւ երկիրը ոչնչացման եզրին է:
Փոխանակ այնպես անելու, որպեսզի պետականաշինությանն ուղղված բոլոր ձեռնարկումներն ու դրանց իրականացումը տեսնելով` մեր թշնամիները նախանձից պայթեն, Հայաստանում գործում է մարդկանց մի ամբողջ բանակ, որոնք անընդհատ ջուր են լցնում թշնամու ջրաղացին: Ձեռքից բաց թողած իշխանության համար այդ բանակն օգտագործում է պայքարի բազմաթիվ միջոցներ` հույս տածելով վերադարձնել հին վարչակարգը եւ, համապատասխանաբար, վերակենդանացնել կոռումպացված պետության կերակրամանը: Ընդ որում` գործի են դրվում բնապահպանական հիմնահարցերը, արցախյան խնդրի չկարգավորվածությունը, դատավորների նկատմամբ, իբր, ճնշումներ գործադրելու թեզը, «աղբային» ահաբեկչությունը, Ռուսաստանի հետ «ոչ բարյացակամ» հարաբերությունները, «Սորոսի» հիմնադրամի կողմից ֆինանսավորվող հասարակական կազմակերպությունների «խափանարար» գործողությունները եւ մի շարք այլ խնդիրներ:
Չպետք է մոռանալ, որ Փաշինյանի կառավարության` իշխանության գալուց անմիջապես հետո Հայաստանում տոտալ պատերազմ հայտարարվեց կոռուպցիային: Թվում է` դա դյուրին գործ է` պետության ղեկավարը կաշառք չի վերցնում, նրան պետք չէ գումարով ճամպրուկներ տանել, կոռուպցիայի բուրգը ոչնչացված է, եւ կոռումպացված պաշտոնյաները բանտում են: Բայց իրականում դա այնքան էլ հեշտ չէ: Պետության կենսագործունեության տնտեսական համակարգը քառորդ դար շարունակ կառուցված է եղել եւ բյուրեղացվել է կառավարման կոռուպցիոն բաղադրիչի վրա: Ամեն ինչի հիմքը կոռուպցիան էր, եւ 1-2 ամսվա, նույնիսկ մեկ տարվա ընթացքում տեխնիկապես անհնար է անցումը կառավարման սկզբունքային նոր համակարգի: Անհավանական ջանքեր պահանջվեցին այդ անցումն իրականացնելու համար: Չպետք է մոռանալ նաեւ, որ Հայաստանի կոռումպացված ղեկավարության հետ սերտ կապեր ունեին միջազգային կազմակերպությունները Եվրոպայում եւ Ռուսաստանում: Այսպես` Հայաստանի Հանրապետական կուսակցությունը, որի կորիզը լիովին կոռումպացված էր, ընդգրկված էր եւ այժմ էլ ընդգրկված է Եվրոպայի ամենաազդեցիկ ու ամենամեծ Ժողովրդական կուսակցության կազմում: Միանգամայն բնական է, որ միջազգային ասպարեզում բոլորը սկսել են զգուշանալ Հայաստանը ղեկավարող Նիկոլ Փաշինյանից:
Նոր կառավարության դեմ պայքարելու համար բաց սաբոտաժը եւ ահաբեկչությունը երեւում են թեկուզ այն փաստից, որ «Սանիթեք» ընկերությունն ավելի քան մեկ տարի միտումնավոր չի կատարել քաղաքն աղբից մաքրելու իր պարտականությունները եւ, փաստորեն, սաբոտաժի է ենթարկում քաղաքապետարանի աշխատանքները, քանի որ ֆինանսավորման պայմանները դարձել են բաց, եւ աշխատանքի վարձատրության կոռուպցիոն սխեման խախտվել է, որի միջոցով միլիարդավոր դրամներ էին հոսում քաղաքապետարանի եւ «Սանիթեք»-ի ղեկավարությունների գրպանը: Այս թվերը հրապարակված են, եւ դրանք մեջբերելու իմաստ չկա: Այժմ չկամեցողների այդ բանակը լայնորեն իշխանություններին ուղղված մեղադրանքներ է օգտագործում մարդու իրավունքների ոտնահարման, դատավորների վրա ճնշումների գործադրման, շրջակա միջավայրի աղտոտման համար եւ այլն: Սակայն նրանք «մոռանում են», որ իրենց կառավարման օրոք անխտիր բոլոր դատավորները կառավարվում էին մեկ հասցեից, իրավապահ մարմինները` դատախազությունը, Ներքին գործերի նախարարությունը, Արդարադատության նախարարությունը` բոլորն իրականացնում էին իշխանության օլիգարխիկ վերնախավի կամքը: Բոլորը պետք է փող դնեին Սերժ Սարգսյանի գրպանը: Չգիտես ինչու` նույն այդ մարդիկ այն ժամանակ չէին խոսում արատավոր երեըույթների մասին, իսկ արդարության ամենաակտիվ մարտիկներին բանտն էր սպասում: Միլիոնավոր դոլարները, որ կոռուպցիայի, մարդու իրավունքների ոտնահարման դեմ պայքարի, արդար ընտրությունների անցկացման եւ եվրոպական չափանիշներին համապատասխան օրենքների ընդունման համար միջազգային կազմակերպությունների կողմից տրամադրվում էին Հայաստանին, սահուն կերպով հոսում էին իշխանությունը յուրացրած օլիգարխների գրպանը: Այստեղ են ասել` «Ուրիշի աչքի փուշը տեսնում են, իրենց աչքի գերանը չեն տեսնում»:
Ցավոք, ոչ բոլորն են հասկանում, թե որքան դժվար է տնտեսությունը փոխադրել բնականոն առաջընթացի հուն, վերակենդանացնել արդյունաբերությունը, ուրվագծել երկրի զարգացման ռազմավարական ուղղությունները` դրան զուգահեռ ամրապնդելով բանակը, որտեղ եւս կառավարման կոռումպացված համակարգ էր հաստատված եւ, միաժամանակ, ստիպել, որ միջազգային մակարդակով քեզ վերաբերվեն հարգանքով ու առանց զգուշավորության: Դժվար է, քանի որ երկրի ղեկավարման միջին եւ ստորին օղակներում շատ են նախորդ կառավարությունից մնացածները, որոնց գիտակցության մեջ ամրացած` կառավարման կոռումպացված մեթոդները գործնականորեն անհնար է արմատախիլ անել:
Հատուկ դեր է այստեղ տրվում կառուցողական ընդդիմությանը, որի նպատակը նույնն է, ինչ իշխանություններինը՝ բարգավաճման հասցնել երկիրը: Նման քննադատությունը միշտ օգտակար է, եւ այն հնչում է ամենուր: Շատ ավելի վատ է դրա բացակայությունը: Վարչապետը, կառավարությունը եւ Ազգային ժողովը պետք է առանձնահատուկ ուշադրություն դարձնեն պետականաշինության ոլորտում կառուցողական ընդդիմադիր ուժերի առաջարկություններին եւ առանց թերահավատության որեւէ նշույլի, ուշադիր քննարկեն ու անհրաժեշտության դեպքում դրանք կյանքի կոչեն: Ընդ որում` իմաստ ունի որոշ ղեկավար պաշտոններում հրավիրել ընդդիմադիր քաղաքական գործիչների ու մասնագետների, որոնք նախորդ իշխանությունների ժամանակ չեն արատավորել իրենց անունը: Սակայն, երբ երկրում կան նաեւ այնպիսիք, ովքեր հանուն անձնական շահադիտական ու փառասիրական նկրտումների, պատրաստ են 30 արծաթով վաճառել հայրենիքը, ովքեր առաջնորդվում են «որքան վատ` այնքան լավ» սկզբունքով, պետք է ժամանակին բացահայտել նրանց եւ պատժել օրենքի ողջ խստությամբ: Դրա մանդատը տվել է հայ ժողովուրդը:
Կարապետ Կալենչյան
On October 1, the session of the Eurasian Supreme Economic Council began in Yerevan. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, chairing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), welcomed the participants, and the session continued behind closed doors. Heads of EAEU member states – Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kasim Chomart-Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Zheenebekov and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Tigran Sargsyan. Moldovan President Igor Dodon, head of the observer state, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as heads of invited countries, also attended the enlarged session.
… The Eurasian Economic Union summit is always a significant event for the EAEU member states. It is a good opportunity to summarize the results of work done on a number of key benchmarks, analyze new strategic challenges, consider and suggest more effective, acceptable forms of cooperation for all member states. During the 5 years of its establishment, EAEU, despite being one of the most widely criticized post-Soviet structures, has done considerable work to promote balanced development of the economies of the Member States, to combine existing resources, and to increase product competitiveness. Prior to the Yerevan Summit in an interview with "EAEU Economics Bulletin " («Вестник Экономики ЕАЭС») magazine, the Armenian Prime Minister emphasized the importance of holding economic forums within the EAEU with the wide participation of foreign representatives, international organizations, business environment, scientific and non-governmental organizations. In this regard, the October 1-2 event in Yerevan was the first in terms of both the number of participants and the saturation of the agenda. "Such forums will promote the establishment of an active trade-economic and institutional dialogue, both within the EAEU and with external partners and unions, which is one of the important factors for the development of the transit potential of the Eurasian continent," Nikol Pashinyan said in his interview. And the other important, if not sensitive, locally important topic is the adoption of a decision on harmonization of member states' legislation in the field of gas supply and transportation, as a result of which the price of gas supplied to Armenia may rise. In short, it seems that EAEU is still in search of stabilizing the economic component.
Coming to the political component, it should be noted that long before the summit the fake agenda of the Russian president's participation or non-participation had become the subject of public discussion. Some circles were artificially generating rumors that Nikol Pashinyan's and Vladimir Putin's relations were not smooth, so he would not visit Yerevan. Whereas, the facts prove the opposite. Moreover, Russian media quoted Putin as saying that he was looking forward to arriving in Armenia. "I want to get to Armenia soon, to see Pashinyan and say that Armenian-Russian relations will now enter a new, more prosperous phase," the Russian President noted. And there is nothing to be surprised about: Armenia with its geographical advantage is as important to Russia as Russia to Armenia. And, besides, Putin understands very well that on behalf of Pashinyan, he is dealing with a leader enjoying the confidence of the absolute majority of the Armenian people. Soon there was another "balloon" circulated by the same circles that bursted out, according to which Putin will not have a separate meeting with Nikol Pashinyan besides the general meeting. In fact, there were not one, but two such meetings.
That’s how it goes. Well, the rest the time will show.
Last week, it was reported on the Internet that Yerevan City Court of First Instance Judge Anna Danibekyan had been subjected to harassment and bullying by unknown persons who had presented themselves as journalists. In the footage, a young man, while filming a judge, made disrespectful remarks to her, specifically asking, "Do you belong to the judges who are whining under the walls?" A criminal case has been launched in connection with the case, in which two persons, Narek Mutafyan and Sargis Ohanjanyan were charged under Article 332 1.1 of the Criminal Code for "interfering in any way with the activity of the court in order to impede the administration of justice." As a precautionary measure, they have filed a petition to the court for their detention. The case is under the the RA Investigation Committee.
… The incident has received a wide response from the public, including lawyers, advocates, public-political figures, government officials, ordinary citizens and others. Some have condemned what has happened, while others have condemned the authorities and the law-enforcement system, which are guided by double standards, in one case protecting their own, and in the other neglecting more obvious encroachments on disfavored persons. In the case of the latter the judges are Alexander Azaryan, David Grigoryan, Alvina Gyulumyan, David Balayan. As for the case of Danibekyan on September 27, the law enforcement agencies, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Ombudsman and the Minister of Justice also disseminated information. What is meant here, is that adding to this the criminal case, the discriminatory attitude really becomes apparent.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the public reaction to the latest incident is not accidental. In this case we are referring to the judge investigating the case of the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and other high-ranking officials – a circumstance which is conditioned by the common interest and the sincere urge to support the judge. According to press reports, Anna Danibekyan is from a modest family, has become a judge by her own strength and knowledge, has no sponsor either in the present or in the former government, that is to say, she is alone against everyone. Consequently, needs the most support and encouragement of the public. Especially since Kocharyan is "almighty" on the opposite side, with his team of supporters quite formidable and, perhaps, mercenary. It was the two young "players" of that team who, at about 8:15 pm on September 27, decided to stalk a judge who had rejected the detention of the second president by trying to insult and humiliate her by unnecessary questions and to put her under psychological pressure. Judging from the vocabulary used by the journalist, "Are you one of the judges whining under the walls?" one can surely guess from which side the wind is blowing. Anna Danibekyan, who had filed a motion to deny Kocharyan a restraining order, applied to the second president's lawyer Hayk Alumyan just days before. Apparently, Kocharyan's team has a clear stipulation: the youth are committed to continue and develop the senior leadership's initiatives. And the copyright of the phrase "judges whining under the walls" is, as is well known, belongs to the Prime Minister.
Whatever: Let's finish the comment with the following post by human rights defender Ruben Melikyan: "Representatives of the ruling political force have no 'face' to criticize what happened – they just opened the Pandora's box, blocking the courts, prosecuting Judges Azaryan and Grigoryan in different ways, calling the judges" harassers ." Have the wisdom to mitigate as much as you can."
Aptly said and, most importantly, correctly.
Commentary by Gevorg Lalayan
EAU leaders and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signed an agreement on free trade zone in Yerevan on October 1, according to the Russian TASS news agency. Kazakh President Kasim-Jomart Tokayev told the media, adding that this is the second country after Vietnam to sign a corresponding document with the EAEU.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Yerevan on October 1. This was reported by the Armenian Prime Minister on Facebook. The two leaders praised the results of the EAEU summit in Yerevan, in particular the participation of the leaders of Iran and Singapore in the session, the signing of a free trade agreement with Singapore and the entry into force of the document signed with Iran. Pashinyan and Putin also stressed the strategic nature of the Armenian-Russian relations.
At a September 30 special government session, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the executive approved the 2020 state budget bill. Accordingly, next year's state budget revenues will total 1 trillion 697 billion 618 million 538.8 thousand drams, expenditures – 1 trillion 880 billion 186 million 389.8 thousand drams, deficit – 182 billion 567 million 851.0 thousand drams.
ArmInfo. Armenian sappers completely demined two fields in the village of Al Husseini in Syrian Aleppo.
According to the RA Center for Humanitarian Demining, on September 24, representatives of Aleppo province conducted an exploration of the area, after which the director of the Expert Center for Humanitarian Demining SNCO Ruben Arakelyan handed over certificates to the head of the province, according to which Armenian sappers completely cleared and demined areas of the first and second hazard categories. The certificate also states that these areas are clean and suitable for their intended use. Armenian sappers demined land with a total area of 90 thousand square meters, and found more than 50 sq. m. unexploded ordnance.