2022 April 6

Daily news wrap-up

Your daily news digest from Armenia. Wednesday, Apr/6/2022.
by ar_david_hh

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11 minutes. 2824 words.

35% of Armenians do not receive enough calories; junk food is a big problem

Pipoyan, National Academy of Sciences: A comprehensive study about the consumption of 88 types of foods was conducted in Yerevan and provinces. We finally have data from a large study. It will help us examine separate groups to develop policies.

Our research has uncovered malnutrition, poor eating habits, and an unbalanced diet. We found that 23.5% are poor, 11% medium poor, and 1% extremely poor.

We have provinces where 35% of the population receives 75% of their calories from bread, potatoes, and flour products. 35% of the population receives 1,600 calories, which is insufficient.

Malnutrition is not unique to low-income families. The COVID pandemic had a massive negative impact on families with sufficient income. Many well-off people stayed home and began consuming junk food, sweets, and chips.

Mnatsakanyan, Healthcare Ministry: There is a need for serious work to promote a healthy lifestyle and diet in Armenia because 50% of non-transmissible diseases are a result of poor lifestyle.

30% of children consume chips every day. They see the ads and mimic the adults. Healthcare Ministry cannot fight this alone. We need to educate children starting kindergarten age.

We formed a taskforce that includes scientists, various agencies, and international organizations. The group will discuss legal amendments and public awareness campaigns.

Pipoyan: Sometimes the student has no choice but to eat poorly because of breaks being too short. Where is the student supposed to obtain vegetables and beans, and do they have enough time to eat? The taskforce will discuss these issues. //

[continue](https://youtu.be/JnNV-Dr1JyI?t=350) [article](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079949.html)

update: medication prices plummet 60%-80% in Georgia after lifting restrictions on Turkish pharma

In January Georgia decided to allow the large-scale import of drugs made in Turkey, amid complaints of high prices and lack of competition.

Within the past two weeks, over 600,000 boxes of 200 types of drugs were imported. The prices have gone down by up to 80%. The government will develop a plan to further improve drug imports from other countries.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079960.html)

Israel and Azerbaijan sign cybersecurity and water cooperation agreements

Azerbaijan's IRS signed a cybersecurity agreement with Israeli Rayzone Group. Another one was between Israeli Mekorot and an Azeri company to develop the water industry.

[source](https://factor.am/496393.html)

Armenian parliament leadership has no plans to meet a delegation from Crimea

Russian media reported that a delegation from Crimea visited the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan on Wednesday. When asked to comment, parliament said they have no information about the event and that there is no meeting planned between Alen Simonyan and the delegation.

The Crimean delegation met several Armenian tourism companies and said they want to provide tour packages to historic sites. "The peninsula used to be part of Silk Road."

[source](https://factor.am/496410.html) [source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234500)

famous Russian actress and a host of pro-Kremlin talk show leaves Russia

Ekaterina Strizhenova and her husband are in Yerevan. Strizhenova is/was a co-host of a prime-time talk show on the most popular Russian state channel.

Strizhenova: Greetings from Yerevan. It's +20C today. We receive a warm welcome from people on the streets. My phone has literally been red [since the start of the Ukraine invasion] from all the cursing I've received. I'm tired of the negativity, so every kind word right now is very valuable. //

Last month she uploaded a photo in a black dress. People speculated that it might have been a political message. It's unclear whether her stay in Yerevan is just a vacation or a "political" thing.

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234508) [redacted]

many Armenian families lived in Ukraine's Bucha and Irpin

23 Armenians have died in Ukraine since the start of the war, in various parts of the country.

Mkrtchyan, Union of Armenians of Ukraine: Over 500 bodies were removed from Bucha-Irpin. We don't have the victims' names yet. Hopefully, there are no Armenians. Many Armenian families lived in Bucha and Irpin before the war. //

[source](https://factor.am/496310.html) [source](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31788646.html)

2021 STATS: Armenia's import and export with Russia

$2.63B in trade. That's 31% of Armenia's foreign trade.

$847M exported. $1,782M imported.

Armenia imported from Russia:

$404M in gas (88% of all imported gas)

$270M oil and petroleum (72%)

$73M raw aluminum

$71M gold

$63M wheat (99%)

$36M vegetable oil (98%)

Armenia exported to Russia:

$181M cognac & spirits (83%)

$66M diamonds (30%)

$56M fish (100%)

$44M tomatoes (100%)

$57M various fruits (98%)

$14M cigarettes (6%)

$14M cheese (88%)

$14M potatoes (100%)

[more](https://www.civilnet.am/news/656767/հայաստան-ռուսաստան-առևտուր-գազ՝-ստանում-ծիրան՝-տանում/)

Armenia's ambassador to Greece: Azerbaijan's goal is the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh

Tigran Mkrtchyan gave an interview to Greek outlet Pentapostagma, during which he spoke about the history of the Artsakh conflict and the post-independence developments.

[in Armenian](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079935.html)

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia will discuss the implementation of AM-RU-AZ agreements on Friday

Lavrov will host Mirzoyan to discuss the progress towards implementing the trilateral statements, and bilateral cooperation within the EAEU, CIS, and CSTO formats. It will be followed by a Pashinyan-Putin meeting sometime in the second half of this month.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079965.html)

trilateral meetings begin in Brussels

Pashinyan and EU's Charles Michel met on Wednesday. Pashinyan spoke about the invasion of Parukh and stresses a need for the international community's addressed reaction to the situation.

They discussed topics relating to the implementation of agreements reached during the previous Brussels meeting on December 14. The implementation of EU's €2.6B program in Armenia was also discussed.

The AM-EU-AZ trilateral meeting is currently underway.

Before the meeting, 43 members of the European Parliament sent a letter to EU leadership and Michel, urging immediate action against Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079966.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079971.html) [source](https://factor.am/496547.html) [source](https://factor.am/496456.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079996.html)

Armenia-Kazakhstan trade increased by 30% last year: Kazakh ambassador

Imanbaev believes there is an untapped potential to develop relations.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079978.html)

European Court of Human Rights: Muradyan vs Armenia

ECHR has ruled that Valeri Muradyan's right to life was violated. His mother will receive €20,000 in compensation from the Armenian government.

Muradyan was a conscript who was found dead in 2010, months after joining the army. The authorities ruled it a suicide. His $6 debt to another serviceman was mentioned as the reason.

His family, however, believes Muradyan was killed. He allegedly called them days before the incident and reported witnessing fuel embezzlement in the army. The family believes the alleged thieves killed him.

The autopsy had revealed bruises and scratches on his hand that were inflicted 2-4 days before his death. The authorities said it happened while he was fixing vehicles.

The following year, the authorities charged a fellow serviceman with assaulting and humiliating Muradyan over the $6 debt, but the case was dropped in 2015 amid a lack of evidence.

In 2018 the court ruled that the investigation was ineffective because it was too slow. The authorities were told to launch a new investigation. It's in progress.

[source](https://factor.am/496213.html)

was Yerevan Metro open yesterday? 🤔

[Tuesday news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/tx5ygt/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday/) has context. The opposition alliances led by Kocharyan, Serj, and ARF gathered in Opera square yesterday. Besides what was mentioned yesterday, they also called for Pashinyan's removal/resignation. The protests will become "routine".

Ruling party MPs criticized the rally as "primarily focused on coming to power, rather than Artsakh".

QP Torosyan: Even the April War was presented as a victory, when in fact, we suffered losses. It's as if they live in a parallel reality. But I think people understand everything. I'm glad they were able to assemble freely. Metro was operational and there were no repressions, unlike in the past. //

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234454)

Armenia and China congratulated each other on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Pashinyan thanked Xi Jinping for COVID aid, and wished "prosperity and peace to the friendly people of China".

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079907.html) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079926.html)

Armenia and Germany discussed cooperation in energy & water sector

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan hosted German ambassador Richter. They discussed democratic reforms. Richter said Germany has a great interest in the economic, energy, and water programs in Armenia.

Germany is co-financing programs that improve the quality of administration in provinces.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079955.html)

France has been helping Armenia with IRS & customs reforms

IRS boss Badasyan hosted French ambassador Luyo. They discussed ongoing cooperation. France had earlier issued €500,000 in grants and technical assistance to improve Armenia's tax agency by 2024.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079962.html)

anti-corruption: Armenia asks Netherlands for help to return resources laundered out of the country

Chief prosecutor Arthur Davtyan hosted Netherlands ambassador Nico Schehrmers on Wednesday.

Davtyan: Thanks for coming. I hope this meeting will be a new impetus for deepening cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of our countries, considering the high level of relations that are developing on the basis of mutual trust.

It is especially important to deepen the cooperation now, to improve the efficiency of Armenia's fight against corruption and the process of confiscating illegally-obtained properties.

Large amounts of resources were illegally taken out of Armenia. Some of it was taken to Europe. Therefore, close cooperation with European countries, including the Netherlands, is essential.

Ambassador Schehrmers: Our embassy is ready to help establish effective communication between the law enforcement agencies, help with reforms in Armenia, etc. //

The parties agreed to hold talks more often.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079938.html)

anti-corruption: authorities recover financial damage allegedly done by ex-mayor of Tsakqar

Authorities report: The 2002-2021 mayor of Tsakqar (Gegharkunik) learned that the international IBRD bank was financing a program to help a utility company acquire lands for installing power lines.

The mayor rushed to sell the lands to his wife and friends, so they could later sell them to the utility company for a higher price. The municipal workers signed the papers and submitted them to the government for approval in 2016.

The new owners then sold the lands to the utility firm for $30,000. The ex-mayor and three municipal employees are facing multiple criminal counts. The ex-mayor has returned the funds. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079942.html)

Գյումրիում տնակների թիվն ուռճացված էր: Shirak governor

Infrastructure Ministry and Shirak government discussed issues relating to housing for 1988 earthquake survivors. There are still families who are yet to receive one.

Some residents continue to live in makeshift homes (tnak) despite receiving housing, because their families have grown bigger since the earthquake so the new apartments were given to the second generation, while the parents remained in makeshift homes. Shirak governor said they can't provide double-assistance in these situations, but at the same time, they can't force them out of tnaks either.

Governor: NGOs, governor office registry, and municipal registry had different data about the number of people residing in tnaks. The number was exaggerated for electoral purposes. There were registered people who did not exist. This was used as a flexible tool during elections in the past.

This is why we've seen a decrease in the number of registered tnaks in the past two years, and it could reduce even more. We want the Cadastre Committee and satellite photos to be used for verification. As of right now, the discrepancy is in dozens. //

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234481)

Armenian soccer club Pyunik (Phoenix) celebrates 30th anniversary

Pyunik is the most decorated club in the Armenian league with 14 tournament wins, 8 cups, and 9 supercups.

Little known fact. The club was named Homenetmen until 1995. It was founded by USSR national soccer team player Khoren Oganesian, an Ararat FC legend. Oganesian had 295 matches and scored 93 goals for Ararat.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079950.html) [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Pyunik)

Armenia's Gabriel Sargsyan finishes second in European Chess Championship

8.5 out of 11 points. The winner is Matthias Bluebaum from Germany.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079994.html)

a newly established Swedish library has Armenian books

Belgian artist Thierry Mortier wants to create the largest collection of foreign language children's books in Sweden. Armenia's Education Ministry sent them 16 pieces of Armenian literature: Tumanyan's Հեքիաթներ, Hasmik Apoyan's Խաղալիքների տունը, etc.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079915.html)

Glendale City Council selects Ardashes Kassakhian as new mayor

Kassakhian will replace Paula Devine. He has served as City Clerk for 15 years. Before Paul Devine the mayor was Vrej Agajanian.

[source]

police investigating narco-gang on Telegram

Unidentified individuals left graffitis on building walls in Gyumri, with instructions on how to buy drugs from Telegram channels.

The police had earlier caught several residents who bought drugs from these channels. There are several suspects. The court will hear their case.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079908.html)

IMAGES: construction of the new bridge between Armenia and Georiga is underway

Armenian and Georgian officials visited the construction site today. The Friendship Bridge will be over the Debed River. It's expected to make passenger and cargo travel safer and increase volumes.

It's actually two [likely one-way] bridges with each having 12m width and 160m length.

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234444)

Yerevan's Davit Bek St. has hundreds of new LED lights

The municipality and UN installed 350 LEDs as part of an environmental program.

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234459)

COVID stats

0 deaths. 16 infected. 23 healed. 2479 tested. 2060 currently sick.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079911.html)

Yerevan's ambulance hotline is entering the 21st century

You may recall that a few months ago mayor Hrachya Sargsyan was surprised that 1-03 operators don't always have the ability to call back a number in the event of a missed call.

Stepanyan, department official: People call 103 but the operators are often busy, so they think the operators are ignoring them. The new system will soon allow operators to establish contact as soon as they are free.

We get 650 calls every day, down from 1,000 earlier this year. There are peak hours in the evening. The new system will be of great help. We're working with one of the telecom operators to install the system. //

[source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234400)

150 days and strong!

[Last year](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/rftf7r/dec132021_armenia_turkey_could_meet_soon_charter/) we learned that environmental activist Hakob Mikoyan decided to dedicate part of his day to clean up Yerevan streets from plastic bags. As a birthday gift, he wants his friends to do the same.

It's been 150 days. He is gunning for a 20-year streak, but he might finish the whole country in 10, because others have joined the efforts.

[more](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234389)

Paronyan Musical Comedy Theater has big plans for this year

Five new performances will be presented this year. The premier of Perrault's "Puss in Boots" was held recently. It is a large musical involving over 50 participants. The cast apparently liked it a lot. They plan to perform other mass musicals.

Another performance will be based on Paulo Coelho's "Veronika Decides to Die".

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079919.html)

today in history

1869: Armenian poet Levon Shant (Nahashbedian) is born.

1994: Rwandan genocide begins when the aircraft carrying presidents of Rwanda and Burundi is shot down

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1079893.html) [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_6)

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/txw22w/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_wednesday/