Azerbaijan desecrating graves in Nagorno-Karabakh – Armenian Ambassador to Belgium

Emma Jilavian

 19:07,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS.  Azerbaijan is desecrating the graves of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, Tigran Balayan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Belgium and the head of Armenia’s mission to the European Union told Brussels Signal.

Speaking to Brussels Signal, Tigran Balayan said  that Azerbaijan has begun destroying religious artefacts belonging to the former Armenian population of the region, the vast majority of whom have since fled the territory.

 “The war against Armenian cemeteries has started,” the official said during an interview with Justin Stares, Head of News at Brussels Signal.

“We have tons of video and photo evidence that they are starting to ruin the cemeteries in the villages and also the churches.”

Balayan went on to claim the country was also demolishing smaller churches across Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that the one in his native village had been destroyed.

Azerbaijan has, he added, also removed religious symbols from larger buildings.

“All the crosses from all Armenian churches in Nagorno-Karabakh were removed by occupying soldiers,” he said.

 Balayan’s assertions stood in stark contrast to those made by Azerbaijani officials in recent weeks.

After a period of detente between the two Caucasus countries, tensions have once again spiked. That came after a clash on the border between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces, as a result 4 Armenian troops dead.

Speaking to Brussels Signal, presidential representative Elchin Amirbayov insisted that his country remained committed to protecting the rights of ethnic Armenians in the disputed territory.

He added that Azerbaijan would “welcome back” any ethnic Armenians who had fled the region, describing them as being entitled to Azerbaijani citizenship in the same way other ethnic minorities in the country are.

That was rejected by Balayan, who instead said Azerbaijan had worked to prevent the return of ethnic Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh.

“There were attempts by some people to return. They were rejected by Azerbaijan,” he insisted.

World Bank presents economic indicators for Armenia in December 2023

Emil Lazarian

 19:47,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The World Bank has presented the economic indicators for Armenia in December of last year. The report issued by the World Bank reads as follows:

"Growth in economic activity moderated to 9.5 percent (yoy, in real terms) in December 2023, from 11.2 percent (yoy) in November 2023. In December, growth in industrial output eased to 20 percent (yoy), from 23.8 percent (yoy) in November, primarily owing to a slowdown in growth in manufacturing as well as electricity and energy production.

However, manufacturing still grew by 28 percent, mostly due to a 9.4-fold increase (yoy) in gold and jewelry production, which continued to soar, supported by investments in this sector and diversification in import markets for raw materials.

Construction growth remained stable at 11.5 percent (yoy) in December. Trade continued to grow at a fast pace, at 36 percent (yoy) in December, higher than 32 percent (yoy) in November. Services growth (excluding trade) increased to 3.4 percent (yoy) from 2.4 percent (yoy) the previous month. In 2023, economic activity grew by 9.4 percent (yoy), surpassing expectations.

On the demand side, private consumption was fueled by a 12 percent increase in real average wages, improvements in employment, and cash transfers provided by the Government to displaced population in the last quarter of the year. Net money transfers (both commercial and noncommercial) dropped by 47.2 percent (yoy) in December but were 4 times higher than the previous month. Money transfer inflows contracted 19.4 percent (yoy), driven by a 30 percent drop in inflows from Russia.

  On the other hand, outflows increased by 9.6 percent (yoy), with Monaco, Russia, the UAE, and the USA as the main destinations. Prices registered 0.9 percent deflation in January 2024 (yoy) driven by 5.8 percent (yoy) deflation in food prices. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) continued easing the monetary stance by reducing the policy rate by 50 basis points (to 8.75 percent) in its January 30th Board session. Export growth remained exceptionally high owing to high exports of gold and jewelry. Exports of goods grew 137 percent (yoy) in December 2023. This was driven by an 11-fold increase in exports of precious and semi-precious stones, whose share of total exports rose from 17 percent in December 2022 to 73.2 percent in December 2023.

 Exports of footwear, textiles, leather, and fur surged by 183 percent, 86 percent, and 74 percent, respectively. The United Arab Emirates is now the leading export destination, with a 15-fold rise in December exports (yoy). Imports increased by 34 percent, mainly driven by precious and semi-precious stones. Cumulatively in 2023, exports and imports grew 55 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The exchange rate against the USD has been relatively stable since the beginning of 2024 while remaining about 2 percent weaker in yoy terms in early February. International reserves stood at USD 3.6 billion at end-January 2024, similar to the end-2023 level.

 A budget deficit of AMD 126 billion was recorded in December 2023, accounting for two thirds of the total 2023 deficit of AMD 189 billion. Tax revenues rose by 25.2 percent (yoy) in December driven by increases across the board. Profit and other taxes grew by 57 percent and 2.6-fold (yoy), respectively, driven by robust economic activity. Official transfers surged by 254 percent (yoy), compensating for the previous months' underperformance in relation to project-linked grants. Expenditures expanded by 29 percent, driven by increases in capital expenditures (76 percent, yoy) primarily due to growth in spending on defense.

The 16 percent growth in current expenditures (yoy) was led by a 35 percent increase in social allowances to address the needs of displaced persons. In 2023, the budget registered a cumulative deficit of 2 percent of GDP, which is expected to rise after including the portion of Nagorno-Karabakh1 financial liabilities settled by the government. The deficit was overfinanced by domestic sources, with AMD 223 billion net amortization in external financing. The financial system remained sound in December, with a slight deviation in profitability indicators.

 Loans and deposits grew by 1.9 and 1 percent (mom), respectively, both mostly driven by growth in dramdenominated funds. The capital adequacy ratio fell marginally to 19.9 percent in December from 20.1 percent in November, while the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans improved to 2.4 percent in December from 2.8 percent in the previous month. Return on assets, an indicator of the banking system’s profitability, declined to 2.7 percent from 3.3 percent the previous month."

Armenpress: Switzerland discusses steps to convene a peace conference with Ukraine

Hovsep Chakrian

 21:59,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Switzerland is discussing with Ukraine the next steps to hold a peace conference in 2024, information work is underway with other countries, said Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Elchinger, Ria Novosti reports.
Last week, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the conference to resolve the situation in Ukraine would most likely be held later than planned due to insufficient involvement of world leaders in the event.
“We are in the process of detailed discussions on next steps with Ukraine and have begun various information activities. We will communicate the details of the conference in a timely manner,” he said.

AW: Kariné Poghosyan wows a sold-out crowd on Valentine’s Day

Rose Khoyetsian
 Guest Contributor Music, Diaspora 0

By Sophie Khachatryan
Photos by Christian Giamarella

Kariné Poghosyan during her Valentine’s Day concert at Carnegie Hall

On the night of Valentine’s Day, I took my seat in the beautiful Carnegie Hall to enjoy the unique “All that Jazz” program by pianist Kariné Poghosyan. The heart of the program was the centennial celebration of the world premiere of George Gershwin’s iconic “Rhapsody in Blue,” which debuted on February 12, 1924. The incredible concert was presented by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations.

Poghosyan was magnificent – from her killer dress to her impeccable phrasing, breathtaking vulnerability and power. I have followed Poghosyan’s musical journey and attended her concerts for many years, including her online Facebook performances during the pandemic, and later became her Patreon supporter.

I was not alone in appreciating this unique experience, as the packed house, sold out for over a week prior, gave the artist a jubilant standing ovation. In attendance were some remarkable figures, including United Nations dignitaries. 

“We were happy to have partnered, once again this year, with our distinguished artist, the New York-based Armenian-American pianist Kariné Poghosyan, to bring together dear friends and colleagues to a musical evening at the iconic Carnegie Hall,” said His Excellency Ambassador Mher Margaryan during his remarks before the group of Permanent Representatives of the U.N. member states at the pre-concert reception. 

“The times which we are going through are extremely challenging for many nations, including for Armenia, but also for the collective humanity, which continues to be put to the test. It is, perhaps, in times like this that the significance of art, music and other forms of creative human _expression_ become even more pronounced, offering a sense of purpose and unity and a source of hope and inspiration,” Margaryan continued.

His Excellency Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, during his remarks at the pre-concert reception for the United Nations dignitaries

Anita Anserian, managing director of AGBU, remarked, “Kariné wowed the audience with each of the pieces she had meticulously chosen and masterfully played. We experienced so many emotions as she gave her unique interpretation to each and for an hour transported us to a colorful, musical world.”

Principal violinist of the Harlem Chamber Players Ashley Horne was also very impressed. “A magnificent recital! Ginastera’s first piano sonata was a tour de force. Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Three Fours’ had a real singing and lyrical quality, perfectly placed after the Ginastera. From there we heard wonderfully played pieces by Babajanian and recent Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Tania Leon. She ended her concert with a very jazzy arrangement of Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’” Horne said.

Director of the music program at Saint Louis University, Dr. Aaron Johnson, traveled to New York especially to attend the recital. “I love watching Kariné perform. She is, without question, one of the most compelling and exciting pianists I have ever experienced live. Her love of music is always on full display when she performs, and it is infectious. She makes her audience feel the same happiness and love she feels for the music she performs. I felt that happiness and love, and it made the 2000-mile round trip journey to be there more than worth it. We at Saint Louis University are so looking forward to Ms. Poghosyan repeating this same program at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Saint Louis,” he said.

The cultural advisor of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S., Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, said it best. “Kariné Poghosyan is one of those virtuoso spectacular pianists with extraordinary stamina and musical skills as well as jaw-dropping performances. It’s a musical reverie to attend Ms. Poghosyan’s performances. A foremost interpreter of Aram Khachaturian, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and other composers, she inhabits the music in all its stormy, turbulent depths, shattering staccato and ravishing sensuality, bringing her own unselfconscious sense of fun.”

The concert was an unforgettable experience that will stay with viewers for years. Poghosyan is a trailblazer in the music world.




RFE/RL Armenian Service – 02/19/2024

Ara Felekian 
                                        Monday, 


Armenian PM Admits ‘Tensions’ With Iran


Iran - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi meets Armenia's Deputy Prime Minister 
Mher Grigorian, Tehran, February 15, 2024.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian appears to have acknowledged that Armenia’s 
deepening ties with the European Union and the United States are causing unease 
in neighboring Iran.

“Our relations with Iran are deep and Armenia remains committed to those 
relations,” Pashinian said during a weekend visit to Germany. “But this is one 
of those cases where not everything is clear.”

“Our good relations with Iran are causing tensions in some places, while our 
good relations with other countries are causing tensions in Iran,” he added 
without elaborating.

In recent months, Iranian leaders have repeatedly told their Armenian 
counterparts that Tehran strongly opposes the geopolitical presence of 
“extra-regional countries” in the South Caucasus. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi 
conveyed the same message to Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian as 
recently as on February 15. Any intervention of “outsiders” in regional disputes 
could only exacerbate, rather than resolve, them, Raisi said in a clear 
reference to the U.S. and the EU.

This was construed by some Armenian commentators as a fresh warning to Yerevan 
which has been seeking closer security ties with the Western powers amid its 
unprecedented tensions with Russia. The latter has openly denounced Western 
efforts to broker an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deal, saying that their main aim 
is to drive Moscow out of the region.

Germany - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Armenia's Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian meet in Municհ, February 17, 2024.

Both Russia and Iran have criticized Armenia for hosting a U.S.-Armenian 
military exercise last September. The Islamic Republic is also believed to share 
Russian concerns about the EU’s monitoring mission along Armenia’s border with 
Azerbaijan launched a year ago.

Pashinian and his political team say they are “diversifying” Armenia’s 
traditional foreign and security policy in response to what they see Russia’s 
failure to meet its security commitments to its South Caucasus ally.

Armenian opposition groups say Tehran’s stance is another reason why Yerevan 
should exercise caution in its dealings with the West. They argue that unlike 
the West, Iran could intervene militarily to prevent Azerbaijan from opening an 
extraterritorial corridor to its Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik, the only 
Armenian region bordering the Islamic Republic.

Iran regularly warns against attempts to strip it of the common border and 
transport links with Armenia.




Russia, Armenia Also Disagree On Ukraine


Ukraine - In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry , 
Russian soldiers eliminate the mine danger in the city of Avdiivka captured by 
Russian forces.


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian openly criticized Russia at the weekend for 
occupying and annexing Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory, 
underscoring the Armenian government’s deepening rift with Moscow.

Pashinian voiced the criticism at the end of a visit to Munich during which he 
attended an annual conference on international security and met with German 
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British 
intelligence chief Richard Moore. He cited a December 1991 declaration in which 
Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and other newly independent Soviet republics recognized 
each other’s Soviet-era borders.

“On the question of Ukraine, our position is that the Almaty declaration is the 
basis for recognition of our independence and territorial integrity,” Pashinian 
told members of the Armenian community in the southern German city. “Our logic 
is also valid in the case of Ukraine because that document applies to all of us. 
And if we demolish that, then we will also demolish everything.”

“I said a long time ago that Armenia is not Russia's ally on the issue of 
Ukraine, and this is our sincere position,” he said.

Russia reacted cautiously to Pashinian’s remarks.

“Indeed, we have diametrically opposed points of view regarding what is 
happening in Ukraine and the conflict around Ukraine,” said Kremlin spokesman 
Dmitry Peskov. “This is not a secret, this is the well-known position of our 
Armenian friends. We do not agree with them on this and will persistently 
continue to explain that we are right.”

Beglium - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Ukrainian 
counterpart Dmytro Kuleba meet in Brussels, December 11, 2023.

Armenian leaders were until now careful not to criticize Russia’s 2022 invasion 
of Ukraine and subsequent annexation of more Ukrainian territory. Armenia has 
repeatedly abstained from UN General Assembly resolutions denouncing Moscow’s 
actions.

Pashinian’s administration appears to have begun changing its stance on the 
conflict in Ukraine last year amid its mounting tensions with Moscow. Pashinian 
made a point of talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a 
European Union summit in Spain last October.

A couple of weeks later, the secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen 
Grigorian, attended multilateral peace talks in Malta initiated by Ukraine and 
sponsored by Western powers. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the 
“demonstrative anti-Russian gesture of official Yerevan.” That did not stop 
Grigorian from participating in the next round of the talks held in Switzerland 
last month.

Pashinian embarked on the apparent rapprochement with Ukraine despite the 
latter’s strong support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 
particular, Kyiv was quick to condemn the September 9 election by Karabakh 
lawmakers of the region’s new president, saying that it is “contrary to the 
rules and principles of international law.” The election came ten days before 
the Azerbaijani military offensive that forced Karabakh’s practically entire 
population to flee to Armenia.




Baku Raps Pashinian After Munich Summit


Germany - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hosts talks between the leaders of 
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Munich, February 17, 2024.


Azerbaijan criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and again demanded major 
legislative changes in Armenia on Monday two days after his talks with 
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in 
Munich.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders sounded satisfied with the results of the 
talks, with Aliyev calling them “constructive and useful.” Meeting with members 
of the Armenian community in Munich on Sunday, Pashinian confirmed that the 
foreign ministers of the two South Caucasus states will meet soon for further 
discussions on a bilateral peace treaty.

He also said that both sides remain committed to their understandings on the 
basic parameters of that treaty reached during their earlier contacts organized 
by the European Union. Earlier this year, Yerevan accused Baku of walking away 
from those understandings and laying claim to Armenian territory.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Armenia itself has 
territorial claims to Azerbaijan. The ministry spokesman, Aykhan Hajizade, 
pointed to Pashinian’s Sunday remark that “Karabakh’s right to 
self-determination is not supported by the international community.” He said 
Pashinian should have said instead that the Armenian “claims to Azerbaijan's 
territory are groundless.”

“This once again indirectly proves that the demands of the Armenian side are 
continuing,” added Hajizade. “In this regard, the claims to our territorial 
integrity and sovereignty reflected in the Armenian constitution and legislative 
acts should be removed.”

Aliyev said on February 1 that Armenia should remove from its constitution a 
reference to its 1990 declaration of independence which in turn mentions a 1989 
unification act adopted by the legislative bodies of Soviet Armenia and the then 
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. He reiterated on February 14 that he will 
not sign the peace treaty “if Armenia does not bring its legislation to a normal 
state.”

Pashinian rejected those demands the following day. The Armenian premier himself 
declared last month, before Aliyev’s statements on the issue, that Armenia needs 
a new constitution reflecting the “new geopolitical environment” in the region. 
He went on to criticize the 1990 declaration.

His political foes and other critics say that he wants to enact a new 
constitution under Azerbaijani pressure. Pashinian denies this.




Another Armenian Bank Set To Change Hands


Armenia - A view of an office building in Yerevan housing the headquarters of 
Ameriabank.


A leading Georgian bank announced on Monday a $303.6 million deal to buy 
Armenia’s Ameriabank partly owned by Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian billionaire 
jailed in Azerbaijan along with several other former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The deal requires the approval of the Bank of Georgia’s multiple shareholders 
and the Central Bank of Armenia. In a statement, the bank’s British-registered 
parent company, Bank of Georgia Group (BOGG), said it would “significantly 
enhance the Group's presence and growth opportunities within a fast-growing and 
attractive market.”

"This transaction is a significant milestone for the Group and a new chapter in 
our strategic development,” the BOGG chairman, Mel Carvill, was quoted as saying.

“Ameriabank has a well-regarded and experienced management team, and I am 
delighted that they will stay on after the transaction is closed,” added Carvill.

Ameriabank is one of Armenia’s largest banks with total assets worth $3.4 
billion, compared with $11.7 billion held by the Bank of Georgia. Vardanyan 
owns, through a trust fund, almost 49 percent of Ameriabank, making him its 
biggest shareholder.

The tycoon, who had made his fortune in Russia, briefly served as Karabakh’s 
premier in late 2022 and early 2023. He and seven other former political and 
military leaders of Karabakh were arrested by Azerbaijani security services last 
September during the mass exodus of the region’s ethnic Armenian population 
which followed an Azerbaijani military offensive. They remain imprisoned there 
on serious charges. Armenia has demanded their immediate release.

Nagorno-Karabakh - Ruben Vardanyan leads a cabinet meeting in Stepanakert, 
January 3, 2023.

“Ruben Vardanyan has nothing to do with the possible sale of the bank,” Mesrop 
Arakelian, an Armenian opposition figure linked to him, wrote on Facebook.

Arakelian said takeover talks between BOGG and Ameriabank began in 2022. But he 
did not clarify whether Vardanyan approved the resulting acquisition of his bank.

Ameriabank is the second Armenian bank which will likely change hands in the 
coming weeks or months. Two weeks ago, HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, announced 
the sale of its Armenian subsidiary to Ardshinbank, the largest in Armenia.

HSBC said the deal, also subject to Armenian regulatory approvals, stems from 
its “strategy to redeploy capital from less strategic or low-connectivity 
businesses into higher-growth opportunities globally.” Reuters reported last May 
that the British bank is considering a possible exit from as many as a dozen 
countries after earlier announcements about selling off parts or all of its 
activities in France, Canada, Russia and Greece.

Established in 1996, HSBC Armenia is the only local commercial bank controlled 
by a major Western banking group.

The 18 banks operating in Armenia nearly tripled their combined profits, to a 
record 253 billion drams ($626 million), in 2022 amid a dramatic increase in 
cash flows from Russia resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The 
figure reportedly fell by 9 percent in 2023.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Philip Kotler’s ‘Essentials of Modern Marketing’ to showcase success stories of Armenian companies

Parkev Tvankchian

 09:43,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. "The Essentials of Modern Marketing: Armenia Edition" book will provide a unique platform to showcase the success stories of Armenian companies on a global scale and spotlight their innovative ideas to a worldwide audience.

Published by Kotler Impact, a company established by Philip Kotler, this textbook will feature the success stories of Armenian companies and will be available for sale both locally and worldwide. This presents an excellent opportunity to venture into the international market. 

Philip Kotler, an American marketing specialist, marketing professor, consultant and the author of more than 80 marketing books, is one of the most influential figures in the field of marketing. In today's dynamically evolving marketing domain, where businesses are actively seeking innovative and strategic direction, Professor Philip Kotler's "Essentials of Modern Marketing" is an innovative masterpiece that demonstrates the transformative power of marketing in an ever-evolving world. Philip Kotler's book showcasing the success of Armenian companies will soon captivate audiences worldwide in English. 

In this interview, we explore why the 'Essentials of Modern Marketing: Armenian Edition' is an important project for the country and Armenian businesses. Emma Arakelyan, the chair of the advisory board for this edition, will share her insights."

Emma is a distinguished management consulting executive, angel investor, author, speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, coach, and professor, with over 20 years of leadership experience. She has played key roles in business strategy, IT Architecture & Transformation, M&A, governance, and compliance at prestigious firms such as EY (Ernst & Young) and Accenture. Emma's expertise extends to business transformation and technology solutions implementation for Fortune 500 companies. Moreover, she serves on the boards of multiple startups, cultural organizations, and educational programs. 

How does the Armenian edition of "The Essentials of Modern Marketing" aim to showcase the success stories of Armenian companies on a global scale?

– Essentials of modern marketing  is the latest project of Dr. Philip Kotler and Kotler Impact, a global initiative with a presence in more than 50 countries around the world (including editions in Canada, Italy, Poland, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Latin America, Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Portugal/Spain).

As the first marketing publication based on local success stories and sold worldwide, this exclusive opportunity aims to share the innovative ideas of Armenian companies with the global audience. Because the book is grounded in simplified explanations and real examples, it will be accessible to both students and professionals.

Professor Kotler, recognized as the father of modern marketing, is renowned for his influential works widely studied in top business schools worldwide for decades.

What role does Philip Kotler's "Essentials of Modern Marketing" play in today's marketing landscape?

The book will serve as a fundamental resource for students studying marketing and business. The importance of the book lies in the fact that it will be a marketing guide backed by proven facts, enabling readers to understand the dynamic and evolving nature of the business  landscape.

The book provides Armenian companies with a unique opportunity for international exposure, with over 10,000 copies distributed worldwide. By showcasing success stories, it enhances their presence and reputation, aligning them with global leaders. This enduring showcase ensures lasting recognition, unlike fleeting press articles. Additionally, serving as an educational resource, it benefits Armenian students.

In what ways will the emphasis on showcasing Armenian companies' achievements and serving as an educational resource in the book foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth within Armenia?

Highlighting Armenian companies' achievements, the book promotes the country's business sector, attracting both domestic and international interest and potentially boosting foreign investment. By showcasing successful marketing practices, it fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to economic growth. Furthermore, its educational content helps develop a skilled marketing workforce.

Well-trained professionals are essential for sustainable business growth and bolstering the country's overall human capital. The success stories and effective marketing practices presented in the book contribute to the formation of a positive national brand image. This positive image can extend beyond the business sphere, affecting the perception of Armenia as a country with innovative and competitive enterprises.

In summary, the book indirectly contributes to Armenia's economic development, enhances the international reputation, and competitiveness of companies. By showcasing successful marketing practices, promoting innovation, and developing business capabilities, the book plays a crucial role in positioning Armenia as a player in the global market․ I should add that the process of recruiting companies to be published in the book is still ongoing, and interested companies can fill out the registration application on the . Only the logos of the first 10-15 companies will appear on the cover.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1130618.html?fbclid=IwAR1nrKr_NKFsUtIhWNDGwzXyna_ZiYETW1X8yiDM6uT7KcYEewtK8wMja7g

Armenia’s new housing program for forcibly displaced persons of NK to include mandatory citizenship requirement

Hovik Karapetian

 10:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeated that his government wouldn’t want to see the forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh leave Armenia in case they don’t have a desire or opportunity to return to their homes.

Pashinyan has also unveiled a new housing program for the forcibly displaced persons.

More than 100,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh found shelter in Armenia after the September 2023 Azeri attack.

Pashinyan was asked on the matter during his meeting with the Armenian community in Germany where he was on a visit for the Munich Security Conference.

He was asked on the government’s plans regarding the refugees, and whether the forcibly displaced persons would return to Nagorno-Karabakh or stay in Armenia.

“Our vision is as follows: if they don’t have a realistic opportunity to return to Nagorno-Karabakh, it is our policy to do everything for them to stay in Armenia. Our Western, foreign partners strongly encourage the fact that the government of Armenia was able to take in over one hundred thousand people within a week, and take them in without refugee camps. Secondly, we can say that most of the children now go to school. As of December 31, 2023, 10,000 forcibly displaced persons of Nagorno-Karabakh had already found employment in Armenia. This is good, but this isn’t all, because this is perhaps thirty percent of the total number of employable people [displaced from NK]. All pensioners receive their pensions, and we are planning to launch a housing program soon, and we’ve made two important conclusions during its debates: first, this project must be accessible also for the citizens of Armenia, second, our brothers and sisters who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, who would want to use this program, would have to obtain citizenship of Armenia [as a mandatory requirement of the program],” Pashinyan said.

Armenia is not Russia’s ally in matter of Ukraine, reiterates Pashinyan

Emil Lazarian

 11:28,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reiterated that Armenia is not Russia’s ally in the Ukraine conflict.

“The situation is difficult, so is our stance,” Pashinyan said during his meeting with the Armenian community in Germany where he was on a visit for the Munich Security Conference, when asked on Yerevan’s position in the Ukraine issue.

He said that the Alma-Ata Declaration is the basis for recognition of the independence and territorial integrity of the republics that gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“We recognize the Alma-Ata Declaration, but it’s not just for us. 13 Soviet republics have acknowledged the Alma-Ata Declaration, including Russia and Ukraine. By the way, they are the ones who initiated it, because Russia, Ukraine and Belarus decided with the Belovezha Accords that the Soviet Union no longer exists, and that they become independent states and recognize each other’s borders. Our perception in the matter of Ukraine is that the basis for recognizing the independence and territorial integrity of the republics is the Alma-Ata Declaration. In our logic, the same should apply in case of Ukraine, because that document pertains to us all. And if we tear it down, then we tear everything down. I’ve said this long ago, Armenia is not Russia’s ally in the matter of Ukraine, and this is our sincere stance. I said this for the first time two years ago, and we very much regret that we can’t have any impact on that situation. The Ukrainian people are a friendly people to us,” Pashinyan said.

Goal of Armenia’s foreign policy vector should be protection of country’s interest – PM

Emil Lazarian

 10:59,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the goal of Armenia’s foreign policy is the protection of the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Our country’s interest should be the goal of our foreign policy vector,” Pashinyan said when asked whether the Armenian government plans to change the vector. “Now, are we pursuing the interests of our country in the foreign policy, or aren’t we? And from this perspective the narrative on the change of the vector isn’t acceptable for me. The goal of our foreign policy is the protection of our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In this sense, this is our vector in all our foreign relations,” Pashinyan said when asked on the matter during his meeting with the Armenian community in Germany where he was on a visit for the Munich Security Conference.

The Armenian PM added that in the relations with the EU and Western partners he attaches importance not only to material, relations, but also the value-based relations. The Armenia-EU ties, according to PM Pashinyan, are developing first and foremost because of democracy.

“The EU supports us with democratic reforms, and furthermore, we will learn more about democracy here, and there’s no shame in speaking about it,” Pashinyan said, adding that Armenia’s ties with the EU are first of all value-based.