Days after Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered a knee injury while playing for Arsenal in a Europe league clash with CSKA Moscow, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger provided some updates on the injury.
“Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered a knee ligament injury. He won’t be ready for the second leg match with CSKA. The midfielder will also not participate in the Newcastle and West Ham matches. Mkhitaryan can play in the end of the season,” Wenger said.
Tuesday,
New Armenian President Vows To Boost ‘Strategic’ Ties With Russia
Armenia - New Armenian President Armen Sarkissian arrives for his inauguration
ceremony in Yerevan, 9 April 2018.
President Armen Sarkissian has heaped praise on his Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin and said he will seek to bolster Armenia’s already close
relations with Russia, describing them as a “strategic alliance.”
Sarkissian gave an interview to the official Russian TASS news agency hours
after being sworn in as Armenia’s new and largely ceremonial head of state on
Monday.
“Taking this opportunity, I sincerely wish Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who
won a convincing victory in recent presidential elections in Russia, new great
successes in his efforts to further develop his country’s economy and increase
the well-being of its citizens and Russia’s role in the international arena,”
he said.
“As president of Armenia, I certainly regard as a priority the further
strengthening of the Armenian-Russian strategic alliance, friendship between
our peoples and expansion of people-to-people contacts,” he added.
That alliance has a “firm historical base” which needs to be “preserved,
enriched and constantly multiplied,” said Sarkissian.
Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Sarkissian on being
elected president by the Armenian parliament on March 2. He expressed
confidence that Sarkissian will contribute to a “further development” of
Russian-Armenian ties.
The new Armenian president told TASS that he hopes to visit Moscow “very soon.”
“Armenia’s leaders have traditionally paid their first officials visits
[abroad] to Moscow,” he said.
Sarkissian, who has lived in Britain for nearly three decades, described Russia
as a “brotherly country.” “For many generations in Armenia and me in
particular, Russian culture, art and literature has been and remains a source
of inspiration,” said the 64-year-old. “It has played a role in the formation
of my worldview.”
Karapetian ‘Very Likely’ To Become Deputy PM
• Astghik Bedevian
Armenia - Prime Minister Karen Karapetian campaigns for parliamentary elections
in Syunik province, 13Mar2017.
Outgoing Prime Minister Karen Karapetian is “very likely” to serve as first
deputy prime minister in Armenia’s new government that will be formed later
this month, the ruling Republican Party (HHK) said on Tuesday.
“Karen Karapetian will continue to play a serious role in the government
system,” the HHK spokesman, Eduard Sharmazanov, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service
(Azatutyun.am). “It’s just that as has been the case until now, the leader and
locomotive of that system will be [former President] Serzh Sarkisian, the head
of the ruling party.”
Karapetian has been tipped to take up what will be the second most powerful
position under Armenia’s new, parliamentary system of government since
Sarkisian signaled last month his plans to hold on to power. The two men met on
Saturday to discuss their political future two days before Sarkisian completed
his second and final presidential term. The latter indicated that they will be
Armenia’s two top leaders for the next four years.
Karapetian said on Monday that they decided to “propose” to the HHK to nominate
Sarkisian for prime minister. He cited the need for a “smooth and effective
transition to the new system of government.”
The Armenian parliament controlled by the HHK and its allies is due to vote on
the new prime minister on April 17. Sharmazanov said the party’s governing body
will discuss and field its candidate for the top government post by the end of
this week.
Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian and Prime Minister Karen Karapetian arrive
for a cabinet meeting in Yerevan, 29Jun2017.
Sarkisian appointed Karapetian as prime minister in September 2016 in the hope
of speeding up sluggish economic growth through major reforms promised by the
former business executive. Karapetian has since repeatedly expressed his desire
to retain his post after Armenia is transformed into a parliamentary republic
in April 2018.
Opposition leaders scoffed at the outgoing premier’s readiness to downgrade his
nominal status. “I consider this a humiliation and deception of the Armenian
people, including by [Karapetian,]” one of them, Raffi Hovannisian, told
reporters. He argued that it was Karapetian, not Sarkisian, who led the HHK’s
parliamentary election campaign in April 2017.
Another, more outspoken opposition figure, Nikol Pashinian, branded Karapetian
a “servant” of Sarkisian. Pashinian will launch on Friday daily demonstrations
in Yerevan aimed at preventing the ex-president from extending his rule.
Karapetian on Monday reaffirmed his declared commitment to “fundamental”
reforms in the country.Armenian opposition groups have been highly skeptical
about his ambitious reform agenda all along, however. They have questioned
official statistics showing that Armenia’s economy grew by 7.5 percent last
year.
Armenian Nuclear Plant Not At Risk Of Closure, Says Government
• Tatevik Lazarian
Armenia - A general view of the Metsamor nuclear plant, 12May2011.
A landmark agreement signed by Armenia and the European Union in November does
not call for the closure of the Metsamor nuclear power plant anytime soon, a
senior Armenian official insisted on Tuesday.
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) covers a wide range
of areas, including Armenia-EU cooperation on “energy matters.” It specifically
refers to “the closure and safe decommissioning of Metsamor nuclear power plant
and the early adoption of a road map or action plan to that effect.”
The 350-page agreement makes clear at the same time that such a plan must take
into account “the need for [the plant’s] replacement with new capacity to
ensure the energy security of the Republic of Armenia.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Karen Nazarian emphasized this provision when he
assured Armenian lawmakers that as a result of the CEPA Yerevan will not be
forced to shut down Metsamor before replacing it with a new nuclear or other
energy facility. “There is no such language in the agreement,” Nazarian said
during a parliament debate on the CEPA’s ratification.
The EU and the United State have long pressed for the decommissioning of the
plant generating roughly one-third of Armenia’s electricity. They have said
that Metsamor’s Soviet-built reactor does not meet modern safety standards.
Successive Armenian governments have sought to allay these fears.
Serzh Sarkisian pledged to build a new plant shortly after becoming Armenia’s
president in 2008. However, his government failed to attract billions of
dollars in funding needed for replacing the Metsamor facility. The government
decided instead to extend the life of Metsamor’s 420-megawatt reactor by 10
years, until 2027.
Russia is playing a key role in this endeavor, having provided Armenia with a
$270 million loan and a $30 million grant in 2015. The money is being mainly
spent on the purchase of Russian nuclear equipment and additional safety
measures taken at the plant located 35 kilometers west of Yerevan.
A 20-year energy strategy adopted by the Sarkisian administration in 2015 calls
for Armenia’s continued reliance on atomic energy.
Press Review
“Serzh Sarkisian’s presidential tenure ended yesterday, and just as some people
rushed to rejoice at that development they were in for a bitter
disappointment,” writes “Zhoghovurd.” “It was announced the same day that Serzh
Sarkisian will remain at the helm, as prime minister.” The paper points to
outgoing Prime Minister Karen Karapetian’s announcement that he and Sarkisian
will tell the ruling Republican Party to nominate the ex-president for prime
minister. It claims that Karapetian found himself in an awkward position
because he had been promised that he could retain his post in April 2018.
“Zhamanak” also reports and comments on Karapetian’s statement. “Interestingly,
until now Karapetian not only did not talk of challenges [facing Armenia] but
even expressed readiness to stay on as prime minister,” writes the paper. “It
looks like until now he did not know what he is prepared for or what it means
to be prime minister under the new model [of government.]”
“Aravot” would have liked to see someone other than Serzh Sarkisian to take
over as prime minister. “Maybe he would not have had Serzh Sarkisian’s
experience, but that could have prevented some manifestations of stagnation
that have been especially visible in recent months,” editorializes the paper.
But, it says, Armenians gave the ruling Republican Party (HHK) the mandate to
pick the next prime minister in the April 2017 parliamentary elections. “Yes,
many of them took 10,000 drams [in vote bribes,]” it says. “If the marching and
rejecting [oppositionists] acknowledge the fact that the HHK won the majority
of votes in the parliamentary elections, then everything else can be considered
secondary.”
“Haykakan Zhamanak” questions, meanwhile, the legitimacy of Armenia’s new
president, Armen Sarkissian, who was sworn in on Monday. The paper says he has
yet to prove that he has held only Armenian citizenship for the last six years
in accordance with Armenia’s constitution. It also dismisses Sarkissian’s calls
for combatting corruption and injustice and easing economic hardship in the
country, arguing that he will have few executive powers.
(Tigran Avetisian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org
The draft law on making changes to the Electoral Code and rejecting the territorial election system proposed by the Tsarukyan faction is being discussed in the National Assembly, .
Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Armen Rustamyan noted that this is one of the most important issues and they do not have an agreement now.
MP of Yelk (Way out) faction Artak Zeynalyan, in his turn, announced that the NA may make a decision to start a discussion on this issue.
Head of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Vahram Baghdasaryan stated that they have time to finally accept this issue till 2022. “And our colleagues should discuss this issue, but at this point we do not find it expedient to discuss it.”
The bill was put to the vote and was rejected by 39 for and 56 against. ARF voted for it.
The NA also discussed the draft proposed by the Yelk faction to adopt a draft statement on March 1, 2008 events.
Edmon Marukyan, a member of the Yelk faction, noted that it did not become clear why the RPA was against their project.
And Gevorg Kostanyan, a member of the RPA faction, noted that they were able to hold a deliberative discussion at the parliamentary hearings. “I suggest putting into the discussion and putting this project on the agenda.”
The project was accepted by 93 for.
National News Agency Lebanon (NNA) Wednesday Aoun starts official visit to Armeina, visits Armenian genocide victims' monument NNA - President of the Republic Michel Aoun on Wednesday arrived at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport coming from Baghdad, starting an official visit to Armenia. President Aoun will hold talks with Armenian President Serge Sarkisian, President of Armenian National Assembly Ara Babloyan, and Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Upon arrival in Yerevan, President Aoun visited Etchmiadzin Cathedral where he met with the Armenian Catholicos, Karekin II. Aoun's accompanying delegation members were present during the meeting. Catholicos Karekin II welcomed the delegation at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, saying the Cathedral was built 301 years ago. The senior Armenian Catholicos said that the visit shall further enhance the bilateral ties between the two countries, and deemed Armenian-Lebanese relations as based on friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect. He also wished Lebanon further prosperity, peace and tranquility. President Aoun, for his part, thanked Catholicos Karekin II for the warm welcome, and wished the Armenian Church further prosperity. At the end of the meeting, Aoun told reporters that his visit to Armenia shall strengthen the bilateral ties between both countries and amongst the two peoples. Later, Aoun visited the museum and monument of the Armenian genocide victims. The museum includes a collection of photographs, documents and artifacts documenting the Armenian genocide and its atrocities. Writing down a word on the Museum's golden book, President Aoun emphasized that justice must be realized in the Armenian genocide case, saluting the Armenian people who, despite all ordeals and tribulations, managed to build a proud country and advance towards a better future. Aoun is scheduled to meet this evening with members of the Lebanese community in Armenia.
PanARMENIAN.Net – Al-Monitor has prepared an article about kadaif (or kadayif or kataifi), a delicious dessert claimed by Turks, Greeks and Middle Easterners, which can be made into different shapes.
In the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir, locals believe that the dessert was first baked in the Armenian houses of the cosmopolitan city in the 18th century, the article by Mahmut Bozarslan says.
As the dessert became popular, the Armenians taught it to the Muslim population in the 19th century, mainly migrants from Bingol, a small city to the north, who had come to Diyarbakir looking for jobs.
“My grandfather Riza Ansin learned the art of making kadaif from an Armenian chef called Agop,” Ahmet Altunay, the third generation of a family of kadaif makers, told Al-Monitor.
“After the Armenians left [Diyarbakir in the beginning of the 20th century], we took over the business. Nowadays, all the kadaif makers are from Bingol.”
He added, “When my grandfather died in 1990, he was 85 years old. Our family has been making and selling kadaif for more than 100 years now. My grandfather taught my father, and my father taught me and my four brothers. I am currently teaching my own children how to make kadaif. I take them to the shop the weekends and tell them to look and learn. They will end up running the business one day.”
Altunay’s business is growing, with a new branch in Ankara and prospects for another in Istanbul. He's shipped kadaif all the way to the United States. “There was an Armenian who moved to New York from Diyarbakir. One day, he called and asked us to send to the United States 10 kilos of kadaif. We told him it would be too expensive, but he asked us to send it anyway. So we sent him 10 kilos of kadaif — the shipping costs were twice as much as the cost of the sweet. We send the dessert to most of the European countries. We have a customer who works with Boeing and we ship him his kadaif wherever he is.”
Monday, February 5, 2017 Dashnaks Call For Faster Poverty Reduction In Armenia . Nane Sahakian Armenia - Leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation meet in Yerevan, 1 February 2018. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), President Serzh Sarkisian's junior coalition partner, has said that it remains dissatisfied with the socioeconomic situation in Armenia despite "unprecedented" GDP growth achieved last year. The pan-Armenian party's worldwide Bureau and decision-making body in Armenia reviewed the government's economic and other policies at a special joint meeting held in Yerevan late last week. A Dashnaktsutyun statement released over the weekend said they praised the government for expediting the country's transition to the parliamentary system, pursuing a "complementary" foreign policy, embarking on defense reforms and speeding up economic growth in 2017. But it also said: "Public distrust in the reforms has not yet been overcome and the pace of the country's development does not satisfy us." The government, it said, should, among other things, do more to reduce poverty, spur job creation, and "ease income polarization," take tougher anti-trust measures, and "revise" its social programs. "The number one problem # is that we did not have inclusive growth, which is different from [normal] economic growth" Suren Parsian, a representative of Dashnaktsutyun's economic research office, said on Monday. He argued that poverty in Armenia did not decline noticeably in 2017 despite a nearly 7 percent growth rate reported by the authorities. "The government must not confine itself to just simplifying and improving tax and customs administration," Parsian told reporters. "It needs to implement concrete policies so that new economic entities emerge in some sectors." The Dashnaktsutyun representative specifically made a case for liberalizing the Armenian fuel market that has long been effectively monopolized by a handful of fuel-importing companies owned by government-linked individuals. Parsian made clear at the same time that his party believes Prime Minister Karen Karapetian's cabinet is on the right track. Dashnaktsutyun, which is particularly influential in the worldwide Armenian Diaspora, is represented in the government by three ministers in line with a power-sharing agreement reached with Sarkisian two years ago. It won 7 seats in the country's 105-member parliament elected in April 2017. U.S. Mission Alarmed By Death Threats Against Armenian Editor . Karlen Aslanian Armenia -- Medialab.am editor Marianna Grigorian speaks in Yerevan, 2Feb2018. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan expressed concern on Sunday at death threats that have been made against the editor of an Armenian media outlet critical of the government. "Attacks on the media, such as those advocating harm to the director of MediaLab recently, are an anathema to a free press that is vital to democracy," the embassy wrote on its Twitter page. The editor, Marianna Grigorian, received the threats on Facebook after her MediaLab.am publication posted on January 28 a cartoon that mocked Defense Minister Vigen Sargsian in connection with a recent large-scale purchase of flowers for the Armenian Defense Ministry. "Don't you think that you've gone over the top?" a Facebook user commented on Grigorian's page before warning the MediaLab staff to avoid the fate of the French satirical weekly "Charlie Hebdo" that was attacked by Islamist gunmen in January 2015. The terrorist attack left 12 people dead and 11 others wounded. According to Grigorian, the user using the name "Hayk Berman Ohanyan" continued to threaten her with private messages sent in the following days. In of those messages, he hinted that her young daughter's safety is also at risk. Grigorian stopped sending the girl to school as a result. The editor was summoned and questioned by the Yerevan police on Friday after lodging a complaint with Armenia's Office of the Prosecutor-General. A police spokesman told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on Monday that law-enforcement authorities are conducting an investigation but refused to give any details. It was not clear whether they have identified the person who made the death threats. Grigorian insisted, meanwhile, that "Ordyan" is not a fake user and that the police should be able to track him down. She said she has managed to find the man's phone number. Opposition Bloc Holds Another Rally Against Price Hikes . Karlen Aslanian Armenia - The opposition Yelk alliance holds a demonstration in Yerevan, 5 February 2018. Hundreds of people rallied in Yerevan on Monday as the opposition Yelk alliance continued to campaign for major tax cuts which it says are needed for reversing recent increases in the prices of fuel and some foodstuffs. Addressing the protesters, Yelk leaders again blamed the price hikes on government-drafted legislation that raised excise taxes collected from fuel, tobacco and alcohol. The fuel prices rose by over 10 percent immediately after it went into force on January 1. The new Tax Code also raised income taxes for Armenians earning well above the average wage in the country. Yelk wants to have this scrapped as well, saying that the authorities should boost their tax revenue by cracking down on tax evasion and corruption instead. "We demand that the tax rates be brought back to the pre-January levels," one of the bloc's leaders, Nikol Pashinian, said through a megaphone as the crowd marched through downtown Yerevan. He and other Yelk leaders announced that they have drafted corresponding amendments to the Tax Code which they hope will be debated at an emergency session of the Armenian parliament. They said they will start collecting signatures for that purpose in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Yelk, which controls 9 of the 105 parliament seats, needs the backing of at least 27 lawmakers in order to force such a parliament debate. It remains to be seen whether it will be backed by the Tsarukian Bloc, the other opposition group represented in the parliament. "We hope that we will collect the necessary 27 signatures and the extraordinary session will take place next week," Pashinian told the protesters after the march. He did not say what Yelk will do if it fails to collect them. Nor did he announce a date for the next anti-government rally. Yelk staged its first protest against the price hikes on January 19, attracting only several hundred protesters. Monday's demonstration was hardly bigger. Its organizers repeatedly urged more Armenians to join the campaign. "The authorities must see that they are in trouble if they are to take real steps," said Pashinian. "Prices hikes will continue until the authorities see that Armenia's citizens say no to them in a tangible and visible way." Another Yelk leader, Edmon Marukian, downplayed the relatively poor attendance at the rally, saying that the opposition alliance will also use the parliament "platform" to keep the government under pressure. "We are taking multifaceted actions," he told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has a comfortable majority in the parliament and can easily block any opposition bill. Prime Minister Karen Karapetian downplayed last month the socioeconomic impact of the higher prices of fuel and products such as meat, butter and potatoes, saying that inflation in Armenia remains low. Karapetian also defended the higher income tax rates, saying that the government needs more revenue to boost its expenditures. Other government officials have said that the more progressive tax will put a heavier financial burden only on high-income individuals. They argue that 90 percent of working Armenians will not have any additional sums deducted from their wages. Press Review (Saturday, February 3) "Zhoghovurd" claims that the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) is trying to "blackmail" President Serzh Sarkisian into giving it more government posts. The paper points to a statement released after a February 1 meeting in Yerevan of Dashnaktsutyun's leadership. It says that Dashnaktsutyun will "forget" demands contained in the statement if it does manage to get more ministerial or other positions. Interviewed by "Aravot," Vartan Harutiunian, a human rights activist, says that Serzh Sarkisian's choice of next Armenian president, Armen Sarkissian, is "detached from and alien to" the Armenian political environment because he has lived and worked in Britain for almost 30 years. Besides, he says, the next president "will not really be a president and nothing will depend on him." He says that Armenia will have instead a "super prime minister" who will be far more powerful than any other state official in the country. Charles Tannock, a British member of the European Parliament, tells "168 Zham" that the European Union's legislative body and member states will not take too long to ratify the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Armenia signed in November. "I think that everything will be done in due course," he is quoted as saying. Tannock argues that the CEPA was signed in Brussels only four years after Yerevan effectively killed a planned Association Agreement with the EU. "Zhamanak" says that authorities in South Ossetia have declared that Russia and Georgia cannot open any transport corridors passing through the breakaway territory without their involvement and consent. The paper speculates that Moscow is behind that statement which it says precludes the implementation of a Russian-Georgian transport agreement strongly supported by Armenia. (Tatev Danielian) Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
YEREVAN. – The development of Armenian-American cooperation took an important place in the foreign policy agenda of Armenia, says the annual report of the Armenian Foreign Ministry for 2017.
A number of events were organize within the framework of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United States.
On March 3, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Rex Thilerson. During the conversation, the sides touched upon numerous issues of the bilateral agenda, expansion of trade and economic cooperation, and exchanged views on a number of key regional and international challenges.
In September 2017, a delegation of the US Congress visited Armenia, including representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties: the Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone,Jackie Speier, Representatives Anna Eshoo, Tulsi Gabbard, Jim Sensenbrenner, David Valadeo. The delegation held meetings with the President, Prime Minister and other officials of Armenia.
On July 21, Edward Nalbandian received US Deputy Trade Commissioner Daniel Mullaney, and on September 12 – Ed Gresser, Assistant Trade Representative for Trade Policy and Economics.
On September 20, the Armenian Foreign Minister met in New York with Elisabeth Millard, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Fiona Hill, National Security Council’s Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs, and Bridget Brink, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
On October 4-9, a delegation of the Senate and Assembly of California visited Armenia to meet with top leadership of the country.
In 2017, the countries were also developing economic ties. In particular, the year was marked by the entry of a new American campaign into the energy sector with a view to participation in the construction of Shnokh HPP.
Efforts of the Armenian Foreign Ministry and the US Embassy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized
A photo exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Yerevan and Washington was organized thanks to the efforts of Armenian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Embassy.
by
head of the Depi Evratesil song revelations next week, bidding participant Asmik Shiroyan announces Emmy award winning performance producer of The Voice US, MTV and VMA nominated and award winning HiHat as the creative director and choreographer of her entry in Depi Evratesil.
Now Asmik is back, and she’s ready to fight for the right to represent Armenia at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest! Asmik revealed more exclusively to us at ESCToday.
Last week, Asmik Shiroyan revealed her song title You & I for Depi Evratesil 2018 and her top
international song writing team, who have worked with international artists like James Arthur, Kelly Clarkson, Kylie Minogue, Demi Lovato, Kygo, Sigala and many others.
Today she has announced that HiHat and HiHat Productions will be engaged as Creative Director and Choreographer for her song You & I at Depi Evratesil 2018.
HiHat’s resumé reads like a rundown of Hollywood’s hottest talent. She’s been Creative Director and/or Choreographer of many live shows and videos for worldwide known entertainers like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Jay Z, Missy Elliott and Ke$ha to name a few.
She has also had the honor of serving as a guest judge on the American dance competition reality TV series So You Think You Can Dance.
Asmik was quoted as saying:
I am shocked and super excited to be working with such a talented and experienced team as HiHat Productions. Negotiations between my team and HiHat have been going on for 6 weeks, so I am pumped now that we are focusing on the creative side and want to bring something very special to my Armenia.
HiHat said she’s looking forward to working with the talented Asmik and it won’t be long before she becomes a household name!
Asmik’s competing entry will make its debut next week on the 17 January, joining the remaining 19 participants in the Armenian national selection.
http://esctoday.com/156181/armenia-asmik-shiroyan-emmy-winning-producer-hihat-creative-director-choreographer-depi-evratesil/
Next week we will get to hear the 20 competing entries for the upcoming Armenian national selection, Depi Evratesil, for the very first time, each of which will be unveiled ahead of the start of the selection on the 3 February.
One act set to compete in the selection is Asmik Shiroyan, who previously competed in last year’s edition of Depi Evratesil as one of the fan favourites of the competition.
Armenia’s Caucasus Institute Director, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan considers Vardenis-Martakert road leading to Karabakh as one of the achievements of 2017. He also considers as a success “Enhanced and Comprehensive Agreement” signed between Armenia and the European Union at the end of last year.
In his conviction, there are no foundations for achieving progress in the negotiation process to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Also, he does not share the opinion that Azerbaijan can take advantage of regional instability due to the riots in Islamic Republic of Iran, and provoke a war in Nagorno Karabakh.
“No progress should be expected in negotiations on 99%. But, in the same time, I can say that we should not expect a large-scale war. It is difficult to guess what will happen, as it depends on the big players and the situation within Azerbaijan,” says the political scientist.