2022 February 23

Daily news wrap-up

News - Feb/23/2022: Day 2 of alliance: Baku mad at Moscow for calling Nakhijevan "Eastern Armenia" while discussing Russian Empire __ Armenia's access to military satellites __ Aeromagnetic survey to connect observatory to global network __ Paplavok 2.0 __ Anti-Corruption __ Infrastructure projects
by ar_david_hh

---

This is your 10-minute Wednesday digest in 2540 words.

geologic aeromagnetic survey to be conducted in Armenia for the first time

Experts at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences met their Russian colleagues.

Russians will bring drones equipped with aeromagnetic survey devices to scan an area. This will allow Armenians to understand the magnetic properties of mountain rocks, create 3D models, and study the task of bringing Gyulagarak Observatory in line with international standards.

It's part of the efforts to include this observatory in the INTERMAGNET global network of institutes that use magnetic devices to monitor the Earth's magnetic field in real-time.

Report: Gyulagarak magnetic observatory was founded in 2019 by Armenian and Russian scientists. Armenia built a structure without metals, while Russia provided the equipment. Construction crews used glass instead of metal, the first such structure in CIS territory, said scientists Jon Karapetyan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076270.html

gov't ratified an agreement on the use of military satellite communication system

On 6 June 2018, the CIS and Russia decided to amend a 1993 agreement about military satellites, but Armenia did not sign it back then. The draft was developed based on the need for the use of satellites by the armed forces of member states and others.

Since the Armenian army will have access to modern military communication tech, the MOD advised the government to ratify and join the agreement.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076273.html https://armeniasputnik.am/20220223/hh-n-vorvoshel-e-mianal-razmakan-nshanakutjan-arbanjakajin-kapi-hamakargeri-hamadzajnagrin-38997952.html

"Union State": Russia gives preferential treatment to work migrants from Belarus

Although Armenian and other EAEU bloc migrants can enter Russia for work, beginning this year they have to [submit fingerprints](https://youtu.be/LzQ8IdWFvEE) and undergo a medical examination.

The requirement doesn't apply to Belarus citizens and officials working in international organizations.

Glory to Arstotzka.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076312.html

Parliament president: it's Russia's sovereign right to sign an alliance with Azerbaijan

Armenia will analyze the Azerbaijan-Russia alliance agreement and issue a response later, said Hakob Arshakyan.

Armenian Foreign Ministry responds to Russia-Azerbaijan agreement

The RU-AZ alliance agreement contains paragraphs about the need to implement the agreements reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan on reopening transport routes, etc.

Armenian MFA: We hope the agreement will accelerate the implementation of the tripartite statements, doing which could then contribute to the comprehensive and long-lasting resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under OSCE.

the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk is not on the agenda: Armenian Foreign Ministry

MFA: We want our friends to resolve the issues diplomatically while respecting international norms. We hope steps will be taken to deescalate the situation.

Ukrainian ambassador thanked Armenia for not recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk:

We very positively assess Armenia's position. It is the sovereign right of Armenia to adopt such a position. Countries that recognize their independence do not win anything, only Moscow wins.

I'm familiar with ARF MP Artsvik Minasyan's statement [that Armenia should not be against Russia recognizing DNR and LNR because of Artsakh similarities]. ARF's stance is clear to us. One time they gathered in front of our embassy and threw borscht at the building. I think this is not appropriate for the old, traditional Armenian party, which has done a lot to create Armenia. //

how will Ukraine kerfuffle affect the Armenian economy?

Minister Kerobyan: We're following the events closely to decide what actions to take, such as ruble hedging, to soften the blows. There are also discussions with Armenian producers and businesses.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076306.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076268.html https://factor.am/479033.html https://factor.am/479075.html https://factor.am/479091.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076248.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076234.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076260.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076259.html https://youtu.be/5axQzaxX354

Azerbaijan sends a note of protest to Russia after Russian MFA refers to Nakhichevan as "Eastern Armenia" while celebrating the Treaty of Turkmenchay between the Russian Empire and Iran 🍿

Official Baku expressed bewilderment and regret over [Russian MFA's statement](https://www.facebook.com/MIDRussia/posts/253217353667999) on the anniversary of signing Turkmenchay agreement. Baku didn't like that Eastern Armenia wasn't presented as Azerbaijan.

Russian MFA's statement: On 22 February 1828, Russian Empire and Persia signed the Turkmenchay treaty to end the second Russo-Persian war. It confirmed Russia's right to keep a navy fleet in the Caspian Sea, and for cargo ships to move freely.

The Russian Empire took Erivan and Nakhichevan Khanates (Eastern Armenia). Iran agreed not to impede the resettlement of Armenians in the Armenian region formed on the Khanates, which contributed to the unification of the Armenian people within the Russian Empire.

[Talks about diplomatic relations with Iran, trade, etc.] //

https://www.facebook.com/MIDRussia/posts/253217353667999 https://factor.am/479114.html

former US ambassador to Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan handed over its sovereignty by signing the alliance agreement with Russia

Richard Kauzlarich: I've read it. It's about giving away sovereignty. Russia will have a permanent military presence and not just temporary peacekeepers.

Russia will also have veto power on Azerbaijan's relations with third states, all while European states view Azerbaijan as an alternative gas source.

Putin needs allies and Aliyev doesn't want to disappoint him. What's notable is that this agreement was signed shortly after they declared that a "Color revolution" was being plotted in Azerbaijan. //

https://factor.am/479322.html

study of lithographic data of monuments of Artsakh proves their Armenianness: National Academy of Sciences

NAS published a lengthy article about the history of Caucasian Albania and churches in response to Azerbaijan's claims that the churches aren't Armenian.

English: https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1076246.html

Armenian: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076246.html

Iranian embassy in Yerevan fires shot at Azerbaijan and fact-checks Azeri MPs who visited the Blue Mosque in Yerevan

Yerevan hosted the Euronest forum, attended by MPs from several countries including Azerbaijan. Azeri MPs visited the Blue Mosque in Yerevan and claimed it was an Azeri heritage.

Iran's embassy in Yerevan corrected them, saying the mosque is Iranian.

Embassy: The Blue Mosque, a symbol of Iranian art, has been active again in the last 3 decades as the praying and congregation place of Muslims residing in Armenia and a touristic attraction. A great pleasure that its centuries-old Persian epigraphy has been preserved! Who can read them? //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076339.html https://twitter.com/iraninyerevan/status/1496516897931776003

Erdogan: Turkey will take further steps to improve relations with Armenia

Erdogan: We're ready for as long as Armenia is determined to continue the normalization process. This region needs peace and prosperity. Turkey will respond to positive steps from Armenia. With this understanding, we made a sincere effort to start the process.

We know that Armenia has certain expectations such as opening the borders and establishing diplomatic relations. If Armenia is determined to continue the process launched by the special envoys, then there won't be a need for us to keep the doors closed. //

... Turkey's special envoy Serdar Kılıç met Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak B. Mashalyan

Officials from the Turkish MFA were also present. Kılıç expressed satisfaction with the recent meeting held with Armenian envoy Ruben Rubinyan. The Patriarch wished them the best of luck and expressed hope to see peace in the region.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076290.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076301.html

a research center analyzed Armenia's food security

Economy Ministry and the Amberd Research Center at the Armenian State University of Economics conducted a study.

Researchers: Self-sufficiency in vegetable oil is under 1%. Animal food is the reason why local poultry and pig breeding is at a low level.

Last year's drought didn't help the cow and sheep industry. The arable lands have shrunk to 222,000 hectares. The farming subsidies cannot help if the farmer doesn't have water.

On the other hand, Armenia has >100% self-sufficiency in fruits, berries, grapes, cabbage.

As of 2020: պարենամթերքի հասանելիությամբ Հայաստանն ունի 56%, մատչելիության բաղադրիչով 65%, որակի և անվտանգության մասով 66% տոկոս մակարդակ.

We're developing a new food security strategy. We're encouraging farmers not to leave the lands uncultivated as spring approaches. There will be subsidies for pesticides and fertilizer (50% off). //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076258.html

Agrarian University receives equipment to play with alcohol

A new lab is created to study beer brewing and alcohol distillation.

Rector Urutyan: I used to feel jealous during trips to the U.S. and Europe about the tools available to their students. Today we have the same. ///

Education Ministry and the rector discussed ways to turn students into agricultural experts.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076304.html

hundreds of war veterans took IT classes

High-Tech Ministry: As part of the university-business cooperation program, 971 applicants received free tech education in multiple directions. 280 graduated. 9 have already found a job.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/231772

COVID stats

4759 tested. 946 infected. 1545 healed. 24 deaths.

COVID is retreating, some mandates could be lifted soon

Pashinyan: It appears the situation is stabilizing. What's the latest?

Minister: Covid has been retreating in recent weeks so we'll reduce the bed count. BA1 and BA2 Omicron variants have almost completely wiped out Delta. This strain is less severe but the unvaccinated and vulnerable residents continue to die. Vaccination is still necessary. 40% of residents above 65 are vaccinated.

Pashinyan: We should discuss making indoor masks optional if the cases are decreasing.

Minister: Correct. We're monitoring the international experience. If things continue this way, this week we will review the mask mandates to make them optional. Facilities like hospitals will continue to require them.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076239.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076243.html

gov't allocates $3 million to co-subsidize infrastructure and other projects in provinces

13 communities are building stuff. The single largest project is in Syunik's Kajaran; they will improve the energy efficiency of 25 apartment complexes.

Pashinyan: We've agreed to keep the issue of energy efficiency at the forefront. This is an important project in Kajaran that will help reduce utility bills.

gov't allocates $2.4 million to subsidize utility bills for 100,000 residents living near borders

It's a regular aid provided to the residents of 81 border communities to cover their gas, electricity, water, and property tax.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076247.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076255.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076280.html

gov't plans to spend $163 million to co-subsidize construction of preschools, water networks, and roads

Minister Sanosyan: Last year we finished 447 of 620 co-subsidy programs; the rest is being worked on.

This year is quite interesting. We have 2-3 main targets: kindergartens, water/irrigation systems, and roads. That's 457 [requests sent by local communities asking federal government's help to co-finance projects], worth $163 million.

173 projects are about kindergartens, 38 of which are for the construction of new buildings. //

[Note: This isn't the total sum spent on roads and schools.]

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076250.html==

==gov't allocated additional funds to finish the construction of large Vedi reservoir this year

TLDR of Vedi reservoir is [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/sbaaui/news_jan232022_how_armen_sarkissian_became/). It'll help reduce reliance on Lake Sevan water and provide irrigation to farmers in several communities. France and Armenia are financing the €90m project with a 75/15 share.

Today the government released additional funds to help finish the construction this year. 80% of the dam is complete, said Minister Sanosyan.

Pashinyan: We also plan to build 15 smaller reservoirs. This year's budget provides $4 million to design the projects, including the ones in Kasakh, Argich, Astghadzor, Yelpin, Artiik, Lichk, and Yeghvard.

We'll also analyze each reservoir's potential to generate energy, whether hydros can be built or not. //

IMAGE: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076254.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076280.html

EU is financing a program to develop Shirak province

LEAD4Shirak is an Austrian-funded program part of a bigger LEAD4-"something" program funded by the EU. Its goal is to empower locals to create businesses and develop the villages.

This €4.5M program will focus on nature protection and female entrepreneurship. Several activist groups will be funded in Shirak.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076230.html

metal container and lid manufacturer receives a tax waiver to invest

Gov't exempted Metal World from import taxes so it can continue its $50 million investment program to produce metal containers and "twist-off" lids. It'll be exported to Russia and Georgia. 22 new jobs are expected with a $400 salary.

Several other companies received similar tax waivers today.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076280.html

gov't allocates land to build a new residential district in Lori's Ashotaberd community

Ashotaberd was built after the 1988 earthquake. It has 24 wooden apartment complex buildings that were supposed to have a lifespan of 25 years, that is if the wood was maintained properly.

It was neglected for years, so for safety reasons, there is a need to relocate hundreds of families. The lands that were allocated today will have 10 new proper apartment complexes.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076280.html

==gov't purchased $5 million worth of police vehicles from Robert Kocharyan's Toyota shop

140 Toyota vehicles for cops were purchased from Toyota Yerevan branch, co-owned by Sedrak Kocharyan and Samvel Mayrapetyan [accused of helping Kocharyan to launder cash].

The police department needs new vehicles with modern tech so it can expand the newly formed Patrol Service to Shirak and Lori provinces. It's already available in Yerevan.

https://factor.am/479337.html

paplavok 2.0?

TLDR of prosecutor's report: The victim was murdered in a restaurant in 1994. The murderer got away with a 1-year sentence during a rushed court trial because he was charged with "violating weapon safety laws".

To explain the victim's death, a report was prepared and signed by the Deputy Defense Minister, claiming that the victim had actually died on a battlefield. President Robert Kocharyan then used this report to give the victim a Medal of Courage.

[After the 2018 revolution], the victim's son informed the police that the victim was, in reality, murdered in the restaurant. Investigators launched a new case in 2018. In 2020 the Cassations court overturned the old verdict amid new evidence that wasn't presented during the initial trial. A new trial was ordered.

In 2021 the Lower court closed the case, however, citing the statute of limitation. Prosecutors successfully appealed it. Today the Cassations court sided with prosecutors again. //

Back to square one. A new investigation, a new trial.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076318.html

leak: Armenian citizens & their associates hold $1.2 Billion in a Swiss bank

Report: There are 400 accounts associated with Armenia, owned by 500 entities. Some of them are public officials and business owners from Armenia and the diaspora. Large sums are present with unknown origins.

The information received by the investigator doesn't contain the names of any Armenian political leader, but it's possible their associates own some of the accounts.

Ex-president Armen Sarkissian and his sister had 10 million Swiss francs. The money was already there at the time he was appointed as an ambassador to UK, but he didn't mention it in declaration documents in Armenia, which the journalists say is a violation of the law. Sarkissian said he didn't have to declare it because he wasn't a "paid worker" in the embassy.

Now the investigators want to find out who owns that $1.2 billion and uncover possible embezzlement and laundering out of Armenia. The investigation is complicated by the fact that the official account holders aren't public figures and there isn't enough info.

After 2018, the authorities contacted the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime to seek help with uncovering laundering and to return what's stolen, but there haven't been notable developments here. //

https://factor.am/479315.html

anti-corruption: court freezes assets belonging to a former director of Yerevan Metro

Ex-director Yayloyan and his family members have been invited to explain how they obtained their properties. Meanwhile, the court decided to freeze their assets. It's over a ֏75M property.

https://factor.am/479203.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076288.html

Possibly related: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/179254

today in history

1944: The Soviet Union begins the ethnic cleansings of Chechens and Ingush. The population was deported to Central Asia. Thousands died.

1947: ISO international standards organization is founded.

1954: Ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yuschenko is born.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076222.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076236.html

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.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/szsmmr/news_feb232022_day_2_of_alliance_baku_mad_at/