2023 November 29

Daily news wrap-up

Armenian government urges businesses to find markets other than Russia // It turns out Armenians secretly ruled Saudi Arabia // Poverty stats & survey // Black Friday stats // Parking fees in Yerevan // Samvel Babayan
by ar_david_hh

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Russia explains why Armenian agriculture trucks are blocked at Upper Lars checkpoint

Some trucks were forced to turn around, while others, with perishable goods, were forced to wait in long lines. Russia's agricultural watchdog claims they recently discovered fruit moths and other harmful species in Armenian cargo, hence the enhanced inspections. "The rules for inspecting cargo sent from Armenia have not changed," said RosSelKhozNadzor, urging its Armenian counterpart to take action.

... the head of Russia's inspection agency is accused of cozying up to Azerbaijan

RosSelKhozNadzor chief Sergey Dankvert visited Azerbaijan last week. *"Azerbaijan remains a key supplier of tomatoes, persimmons [Խուրմա], apples, cherries, and berries to Russia."* Azerbaijan has been exporting a lot more strawberries to Russia lately. Some of the goods blocked from Armenia were strawberries and apples.

SAFARYAN STYOPA (analyst): The head of Rosselkhoznadzor, after heroically repelling a convoy of 2,000 enemy trucks headed from Armenia, flew to Azerbaijan to enjoy his honeymoon with his new ally. Let's wait to find out what else he plans against Armenia after receiving the instructions in Baku. //

... Armenia's economy minister says an investigation is necessary to find out why the rate of trucks being turned away has increased in recent times

The government will meet Russian counterparts this week to discuss the issue. This year there have been a total of 72 alleged violations at the checkpoint, with half of the incidents occurring in the past couple of days alone. Neither country has made any changes to the inspection mechanisms, so Armenia's economy ministry wants to know the "real" reason.

VAHAN KEROBYAN (economy minister): We have increased the economy ministry budget from $50 million in 2020 to $230 million to help our producers *(through investment subsidies)* raise their standards so they can more easily export to destinations other than Russia (EAEU). We should not place all the eggs in one basket.

Unfortunately, most of our businesses don't want to learn new skills and exit their comfort zones because they are already familiar with the Russian market. The current situation is a great opportunity for our businesses to review their export strategies and find new markets. Iraq is right in front of us and it has a half-empty market we can fill. The same about Gulf states.

We are discussing the implementation of a new export assistance program. We could compensate part of export logistics fees so businesses can sell perishable goods in alternative markets. We believe it's even possible to sell some of these goods in the EU. //

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/758222/ռոսսելխոզնադզորը-հայտարարել-է-հայաստանից-բուսական-արտադրանքի-մատակարարման-խախտումների-աճի-մասին/) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274631) [source,](north-america/article/9579073/azerbaijan-remains-a-key-supplier-of-tomatoes-persimmons-apples-cherries-and-berries-to-russia/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxJazhXIl2M) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRABkbedYqA) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/162427)

PM Pashinyan might skip even more Russian meetings soon

Putin's aide recently claimed that they received a "signal" that Pashinyan will attend the EAEU and CIS meetings in Russia scheduled for December 25-26. Sources close to Pashinyan's office claim that no decision has been made yet on his participation. *"Things will become more clear as we approach the date."*

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/274642)

U.S. and Germany respond to Azerbaijan's "false" accusations

• Context: The West scolded Azerbaijan for the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan responded by launching a witch hunt against "U.S. spies" in Azerbaijan. Several independent journalists were arrested. Ambassadors of U.S., Germany, and France were summoned and handed a complaint for "illegal financing" of journalists and activists.*

Today Germany responded saying the reports of illegal financing are false. They cited an example of an Azeri activist who organized a 2021 event dedicated to people with disabilities during which Germany donated $1,500 to the initiative *[if I understood the translation correctly]*. Azerbaijani regime earlier criticized Germany's foreign minister for refusing to participate in a Baku meeting organized by the Aliyev regime aimed at promoting expansionist policies toward Armenia. Azeri press called the German FM "biased" and "pro-Armenian" at the time. Germany accused Azerbaijan of breaking the promise of not attacking Nagorno-Karabakh.

The U.S. has also responded to Azerbaijan's "false and fundamentally inaccurate" allegations against USAID, doubling down on their call for the Aliyev regime to protect the rights of investigative journalists in Azerbaijan.

[source,](https://oc-media.org/baku-accuses-west-of-interfering-in-its-affairs-by-funding-abzasmedia/) [source,](https://factor.am/716308.htmlՃ [source,](azerbaijan/politics/3821304.html) [source,](https://factor.am/716391.html)

interview with Nagorno-Karabakh opposition leader Samvel Babayan

Babayan was summoned by the parliamentary War Commission for questioning. He gave a press conference later.

REPORTER: You were part of the War Commission's investigative team. Why did you drop out?

BABAYAN: I wanted the Pashinyan administration to expand the scope of the investigation to investigate the events that took place over the past 20 years, but they chose to focus only on recent years.

REPORTER: Who was responsible for the 2020 defeat?

BABAYAN: Leaderships in Artsakh and Armenia.

REPORTER: What was Pashinyan's guilt in this defeat?

BABAYAN: He trusted the army leadership and appointed unqualified individuals despite my warnings.

REPORTER: Does the Armenian government support the idea of allowing the operation of Artsakh's institutions in Armenia?

BABAYAN: No.

REPORTER: What should be done now?

BABAYAN: Why are you asking me? After all, I'm a clueless tyrant who was pushed aside and replaced with smart analysts.

REPORTER: Who surrendered Artsakh?

BABAYAN: Artsakh's government surrendered Artsakh on September 19.

REPORTER: But what about Pashinyan's policies?

BABAYAN: His policies contributed to the surrender because he kept financially supporting the regimes in Artsakh. This is literally treason.

REPORTER: Armenia didn't do anything during the September 19 attack.

BABAYAN: Armenia did not have the resources to do anything about it. Prior to the attack, the Armenian government was begging the Artsakh government to sit down for negotiations with Azerbaijan. The Artsakh government boycotted these negotiations under the orders of Russia.

REPORTER: Are there currently negotiations for the return of refugees to Artsakh?

BABAYAN: Yes. Shahramanyan's office held meetings with our party members and other parliamentary members about this.

REPORTER: How many opportunities did we have to stop the war in 2020?

BABAYAN: None. During a war, the strong party always dictates the terms. Azerbaijan wanted nothing less than Shushi.

REPORTER: When did you realize we were going to lose the war?

BABAYAN: Before the war. That's why I sent letters to Serj and Pashinyan years earlier, warning about their future defeat. I even described the defeat scenario.

REPORTER: Did we have a chance to win?

BABAYAN: Yes, if we had a competent army leadership.

REPORTER: Will there be an AM-AZ peace agreement?

BABAYAN: Not in the near future.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhqJfvr6dB4) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocHkhKwjfzI)

poverty rate in Armenia

2019: 26.4%

2020: 27.0%

2021: 26.5%

2022: 24.8%

... if we raise the bar to include the "somewhat" poor

2019: 43.8%

2020: 47.6%

2021: 45.7%

2022: 41.3%

... poorest and least poorest provinces

Shirak: 41.6%

Syunik: 5.4%

... families with difficulty finding food

2%

... families with housing difficulty

11%

... how much ~~does your family~~ do you need to earn...

For a very good life: $642

For a good life: $338

To survive: $138

[source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/758313/հայաստանում-աղքատությունը-նվազել-է-17-տոկոսային-կետով/) [source,](https://armstat.am/am/?nid=82&id=2617)

Armenians spent $2.7 million more on Black Friday this year

The turnover was $25.6 million. The average size of a purchase has also increased.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9l4jcCdo6I)

parking in red dotted lines in Yerevan could become more expensive next year: MAP

The mayor's office plans to divide the city's paid parking space into A and B zones. "A" is the central Yerevan, while "B" is everything outside. These could be the new parking fees in zone A:

1 hour: $0.75

1 day: $5

1 week: $12

1 month: $45

1 year: $400 (currently only $30)

Objective: Prioritize public transport with the addition of new buses and dedicated bus lanes, reduce the number of personal vehicles in the center.

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/162415) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/758227/երևանի-քաղաքապետարանն-առաջարկում-է-կարմիրը-գծերի-վճարները-բարձրացնել-մինչև-160-հազար-դրամ/)

Pashinyan hosted the Amazon AWS leadership

They discussed the development of tech in Armenia. Pashinyan urged the company to launch joint projects and help Armenia with the digitization effort. The company is interested. They are currently negotiating with the High-Tech Ministry.

[source,](https://factor.am/716497.html)

earthquake in Azerbaijan is felt in Armenia

4.5M quake struck 31 km north-west of Mingechaur. It was felt in several settlements of Armenia's northeastern Tavush province.

[source,](https://factor.am/716641.html)

Armenians eat so much BBQ the smoke has become a nuisance for nearby condo residents

A parliamentary committee discussed an issue caused by food vendors located near residential buildings. Residents complain that the smoke, including from khorovatsnots, can be overwhelming(ly good) at times. The officials discussed the possibility of requiring food shops to install exhaust filters.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__A2udVHO9g)

interview with Joseph Kechichian, Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research & Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia

Context: Armenia and Saudi Arabia have established diplomatic relations.

REPORTER: Why not sooner? Was it because of the AM-AZ conflict?

Kechichian: Yes, but I also think it's happening now because of numerous positive developments in SA. It's not just political changes, but also in the economy, trade, and technologies. SA is undergoing a transition. I've been studying SA for 35 years and never imagined a day when I would see so many changes. The time has come to establish relations. The two should protect each others' interests, it shouldn't be only about trade or politics. It will depend on what PM Pashinyan decides. This was the first step in a long journey.

REPORTER: SA is the heart of the Sunni world, which contains the Arab League, the Islamic league. Can Armenia benefit from this? We have a 1,600-year-long history with SA.

Kechichian: If we look at more recent AM-SA relations, let's remember King Abdulaziz who ruled from 1932-1953 *[the founder of modern Saudi Arabia]*. Abdulaziz had four Armenian wives. One of them, with the Arabic name Munaiyir, was his most beloved wife. Abdulaziz had 3 sons from this Armenian wife; they all played very important roles in SA's history. The three Armenian sons were:

(1) [Talal bin Abdulaziz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talal_bin_Abdulaziz). He died in 2018. He spoke with me in Armenian. Talal maintained close relations with [Egyptian leader] Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s, for which he was exiled by the king but eventually accepted back.

(2) [Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawwaf_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud). He was the director of the intelligence department. He was a prominent figure.

(2) [Sattam bin Abdulaziz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattam_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Saud). He was the governor of Riyadh. *[In March 2012, Sattam bin Abdulaziz stated that single men would not be prevented from visiting malls in Riyadh on evenings and weekends. Previously, they were only allowed into malls at lunch time on weekdays. Progressive guy.]*

Their mother was Armenian. As I've said, Talal would speak in Armenian with me. He did not want to forget his ethnic origin.

Talal's most prominent son is [Al Waleed bin Talal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Waleed_bin_Talal_Al_Saud), one of the richest men in the world. *[also known as Arabian Warren Buffet]*

Talal's other son is [Turki bin Talal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turki_bin_Talal_Al_Saud). He is currently the governor of one of the regions. Although he doesn't speak Armenian, he listens to Armenian music. We have great relations. I call him my brother, "we are both Armenians", I tell him. He gets delighted every time.

I say all this to show you how close Armenia is to Saudi Arabia historically. We must build on this. We must present Armenia's issues in SA, and vice versa. Saudis should learn about Armenians and our history. There are thousands of Armenians who worked to develop SA.

REPORTER: SA also has high-level relations with our enemy Turkey. There is a sharp competition between them in the Sunni world.

Kechichian: When Saudis think about Turkey, they do not think of themselves as inferior to Turkey. The holy sites are located in SA, and Saudis are proud people.

REPORTER: Even during the 2020 war it felt like SA was sympathetic to Armenia. What should Armenia do today?

Kechichian: We must prepare the brain centers to deepen the relations. We need to develop the knowledge of the Arabic language in Armenia. We must present our culture and history during various expos.

REPORTER: You've mentioned once that Armenia can sell water to SA. I understand that it could be symbolic in nature. What else can Armenia give to this powerful kingdom?

Kechichian: Do not underestimate Armenia. We are a country today. Besides water, we can offer them our "brain" and maintain close relations in high-tech and trade. Arab countries have a shortage of water. I understand that some in Armenia do not like this idea, "this water is only for us", okay, but we should look at the bigger picture. Water is a very important substance today.

REPORTER: Work, work, work.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-hf-68YK8?t=171)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/1872t87/armenian_government_urges_businesses_to_find/