2021 December 2

Daily news wrap-up

News - Dec/2/2021: Foreign affairs, Karabakh negotiations, OSCE co-chairs __ Catalytic converter bill __ Faster construction permits __ Ceasefire violation __ Infrastructure projects __ Update on pending trials __ COVID news; Vaccination stats; Travel rules __ Stats: poverty, trade, inflation _ ...
by ar_david_hh

---

This is your 12-minute Thursday briefing in 3031 words.

big movements today: foreign affairs & meetings

The tripartite meeting continues between deputy premiers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan. The first meeting was yesterday but did not yield results due to certain disagreements. The deputies are meeting as a follow-up to the Sochi meeting between Pashinyan, Putin, and Aliyev.

Security Council chief Grigoryan: the tripartite meeting will continue in the coming days, after yesterday's failure to formulate agreements. Azerbaijan was not constructive.

Overall, as before, Armenia is not discussing any "corridors". These discussions should be around Nov 9, Jan 11, and Nov 26 statements, which also do not contain any "corridor". Armenia is ready to lift the blockade and discuss Soviet-era routes, including the ones used by Armenia. //

Azerbaijan's MFA Bayramov: the operation of the Zangezur corridor is necessary not only for civilians of Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan, but it will also reopen transportation communication between Azerbaijan and Armenia and establish an irreversible peace. //

Parliament President Alen Simonyan: there was/is/won't be any "corridor". This was clearly stated by Armenia and Russia. Perhaps the leader of our neighboring state is using the word for an internal audience. //

--

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan is in Sweden for the OSCE Ministerial conference. He met the Swedish parliament president and discussed Sweden's aid in the ongoing democratic and legal reforms. They discussed the need to release POWs.

--

Russian MFA Lavrov met his Turkish counterpart to discuss the stabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus.

U.S. Secretary Blinken and Turkish MFA discussed the AM-AZ conflict.

--

Defense Minister Papikyan met the U.S. ambassador Tracey to discuss borders and OSCE negotiations.

U.S. Senator Edward Markey vowed to work in the Senate to facilitate the release of Armenian POWs after a phone conversation with ambassador Makunts.

--

U.S. Secretary Blinken welcomed the resumption of direct dialogue between leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He urged parties to score progress in humanitarian efforts regarding POWs and landmine maps, and to launch the process to demarcate borders and unblock the communication routes. "I hope that we can all work together, including Russia, to make continued progress."

MFA Mirzoyan held a "productive meeting" with Secretary Blinken in Sweden, about the need to resume OSCE Minsk negotiations to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Mirzoyan thanked the U.S. for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. They also discussed Azerbaijan's illegal encroachment into Armenian territories since May.

MFA Mirzoyan emphasized that the topic of Karabakh status should be based on the principle of self-determination and that Artsakh residents should be able to return to their homeland in all territories of Artsakh.

--

MFA Lavrov about a statement adopted by OSCE Minsk Group: the Foreign Ministers of RU/US/FR adopted a statement on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, praising Russia's mediation efforts, inter alia.

Of course, we would like to see more results of this session, including the political declaration, which has failed to be adopted for 10 years. Everyone is trying to involve their minor issues in the declaration. //

What is this "political declaration" about? It's unclear, but earlier this year, when Pashinyan and others were engaged in debates around the failed negotiation process history, there were also discussions about Artsakh's interim status. I present you an old episode:

Reporter: Serj Sargsyan believed that if the Armenian leadership changed, that would change the logic of the negotiations. Pashinyan responded that the logic of negotiations had changed in 2015, not 2018. What is Pashinyan referring to? Is it about Azerbaijan's refusal to discuss referendum and interim status for Artsakh

Opposition figure Andreas Ghukasyan: Yes. But before Azerbaijan's refusal to negotiate interim status for Karabakh, they were negotiating the framework agreement (Framework, շրջանակային համաձայնագիր). The idea was to use this Framework to reach a comprehensive agreement (Agreement) for peace.

In the Autumn of 2015, they finished discussing the documents. The idea was for Serj and Aliyev to sign the 17-point Framework then instruct their Foreign Ministers to prepare the comprehensive peace Agreement.

Parliaments of AM and AZ would then ratify the new Agreement and Artsakh would also sign it. That would then serve as the basis for lasting peace.

Reporter: why wasn't this done during the Serj administration?

Ghukasyan: Azerbaijan offered to skip the Framework altogether and to move towards implementing the final Agreement itself. The OSCE Minsk Co-chairs proposed that in the event one side [Azerbaijan] rejects the Framework, both sides would need to adopt a Declaration and publicly state that the Madrid Principles will be respected.

They've been discussing the details of this Declaration. I've personally read the text because General Samvel Babayan, back in August 2020, announced that he had the text and he invited anyone interested to discuss it.

According to the document shared by Babayan, the resolution of the conflict would be based on 3 elements: (1) Presidents of AM and AZ make a joint declaration to express political will for a peaceful resolution, (2) A joint statement by OSCE Co-chairs, (3) Legally binding UN Security Council resolution which would force both sides to follow the agreement. //

[This "declaration" is not necessarily what Lavrov was referring to, but it's relevant.]

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069658.html https://factor.am/448962.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069650.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069651.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069672.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069714.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069730.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069736.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069737.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069738.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069743.html https://factor.am/448764.html https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1069744.html https://factor.am/449050.html

Armenian delegation took part in the 26th conference on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Armenia shared a report about Azerbaijan's use of chemical weapons against Artsakh during the 2020 war and expressed regret that the Technical Secretariat of OPCW has not yet sent a delegation to Artsakh to discuss the use of chemicals.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069739.html

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire near Artsakh's Karmir Shuka

No injuries. Rifles were used for 10 minutes. Some of the bullets went through gardens owned by local residents. Artsakh government called for the withdrawal of Azeri positions from the area.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069701.html

neighborhood news

Vehicle accident took the life of Tarık Kesekçi, a prominent engineer working on Turkish Bayraktar company.

Turkish Finance Minister Lutfi Elvan resigned amid the economic crisis.

https://www.livik.net/2021/11/28/tarik-kesekci-the-analysis-team-leader-of-the-sihas-also-passed-away/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069741.html https://factor.am/448808.html

Artsakh authorities threaten action against pro-Pashinyan activist unless he explains comments about murders during the 2020 war

Activist Roman Baghdasaryan, who is known for making scandalous statements, allegedly claimed that Artsakh Defense Army generals and ranking officers committed murders or gave orders to commit murders during the 2020 war.

He also claimed that generals gave bad orders that took the lives of thousands of soldiers, including 200 in Mataghis direction alone.

Artsakh NSS wants to learn more. They invited Baghdasaryan to share his knowledge. They will ask the court to force the activist to appear for questioning if he refuses to appear.

https://factor.am/448860.html https://armeniasputnik.am/20211201/arcakhi-aatsn-rvoman-baghdasarjanin-arajarkum-e-nerkajanal-35945004.html

update on criminal trials from the stormy early-2021 period

Several opposition and nationalist figures, including Arshak Zakaryan, had organized a rally on January 28 with demands for Pashinyan's resignation. They clashed with the police. They are facing charges. The case is in court now.

In other news, Kocharyan ally Sayat Shirinyan will be free, pending his trial. He is charged with incitement/justification of violence in a Facebook reply that reads: "If I were the leader of the [presumably Vazgen Manukyan] movement, rest be assured we would take specific steps, although I do not criticize the organizers because they are trying to avoid bloodshed. But it's more than clear that it's impossible without bloodshed."

https://factor.am/448952.html https://factor.am/448847.html

COVID stats

9k tested. 0.6k infected. 0.7k healed. 21 deaths.

Of the 12k active cases, only 8.6% were vaccinated.

Of the hospitalized 2.3k people, only 3.7% were vaccinated.

Pashinyan: can you tell us why two databases show different death numbers? [there is a 577 discrepancy]

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan: as we've said before, when Covid first emerged, the ArMed system quickly expanded its database to include testing, infection, and deaths. Over time, ArMed did not add some of the info, but that info is transparently available in ԱՎԾ stats.

Pashinyan: doesn't look like an intentional act but prosecutors should investigate nonetheless. It's a good opportunity to fix technical gaps if that's the case.

vaccination stats

40% of adults have received one dose. 23.9% of adults are fully vaccinated.

Parliamentary Healthcare Committee chief QP Zeynalyan:

We have 15-20 thousand daily vaccinations. 1.2 million shots have been administered so far.

The progress is satisfactory but we need more to prevent deaths and serious cases. We need at least 80% coverage. We need to continue with efforts to inform the public.

Omicron is more contagious but we don't know how deadly it is. We will discuss possible restrictions (vax or PCR to visit public places) to slow the spread in Armenia. If the infection rate reduces and WHO places Armenia in the green zone, we won't need restrictions.

Pashinyan about the pandemic:

The situation has eased, but do not weaken your vigilance. A new Omicron strain has been discovered in the world. It hasn't been detected in Armenia yet. We don't know how it will react to vaccines yet. Do not let your guard down.

A significant share of the population, almost 500k, has been vaccinated. We administer around 20,000 daily shots except for weekends. The stress on hospital capacity has also been significantly reduced.

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan: we'll know more about Omicron soon, but one thing is clear that even if it reduces a vaccine's efficiency against spreading the virus, the vaccines will still prevent deaths and hospitalizations. We had the same concerns when Delta was discovered. All efforts on vaccination.

Aparan residents can now receive vaccines in Gntunik supermarket

Second floor. Hurry! Offer valid while stocks last.

government published the latest PCR/vaccine options for those visiting Armenia:

A negative PCR test taken within the past 72 hours.

Certificate showing full vaccination.

If your vaccine was single-dose, a certificate showing that it was injected at least 28 days before the date of entry.

If travelers have received more than one dose, the last dose must be administered at least 2 weeks before arrival.

Children under 7 are exempt.

Travelers arriving from Russia must provide the certificates through the "Путешествую без COVID-19" mobile application.

Regardless of your citizenship and status, if you fail to present any certificates, you will be tested at the airport at your expense and required to self-quarantine before the results arrive. If you refuse to get tested, you will be isolated for 14 days. Full.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069653.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069661.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069653.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069657.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069662.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069671.html

Econommy Minister presents various stats from January-September period:

Volumes of loans provided to residents by Armenian banks decreased by 3.4%.

Foreign trade increased by 17.2%. Imports +9.7%.

The consumer product index rose 6.7%. For the 12-month period, it was 8.9%, mostly due to food and non-alcohol products.

National Statistical Committee provides poverty rate data

The poverty level in Armenia, starting from 2019, has been calculated according to the revised World Bank methodology.

At the end of 2020 it stood at 27%.

The poverty line in Armenia in 2020, based on the average per adult per month, was 44k ($91). Upper line - 53k drams ($110). Lower line - 35k drams ($72). Extreme line - 24k drams ($49).

While 27% are estimated to be poor, only 10% of survey respondents described themselves to be poor.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069715.html http://arka.am/en/news/society/poverty_level_in_armenia_at_the_end_of_2020_was_27_percent/

voters chose Armenian author Hovik Afyan's "Red" as the winner of the General Fiction category

... in an international contest organized by TCK Publishing. The book is about the never-ending nature of love and war.

https://www.tckpublishing.com/2021-readers-choice-award-winners/ https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069679.html

municipal officials are facing criminal negligence charges after a teenager's death

Authorities report: on November 21, an emergency ladder of a building in Ayrum (Tavush) collapsed, killing a teenager and injuring six others.

The investigation has revealed that Ayrum municipal workers neglected their duties, which led to the death. The criminal investigation continues. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069673.html

Nature Ministry comes swinging with a bill to combat the removal of catalytic converters from vehicles

Minister Romanos: the reforms will address the vehicle tech inspection process to reduce instances of good catalytic converters being intentionally removed, driving without one, or driving with a broken one. This will reduce the emission of harmful materials.

Many car owners remove and cell their catalytic converters because of their high price. They contain precious metals such as gold, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. (are you tempting me to remove mine?)

Without the Converter, very harmful substances are emitted freely into the atmosphere. This is very dangerous when it becomes common, as we see in Armenia. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069682.html

villages Shirak and Kamo (Gegharkunik) are connected with newly renovated 5km road and bridges

Kamo's kindergarten was also renovated. It's part of the co-subsidy project by federal and local governments.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069654.html

construction of a new school begins in village Jil (Gegharkunik)

It'll serve 120 children and will come with a sports center, kitchen, and the usual stuff. The construction began two weeks ago. It's a ֏800M project financed by feds.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069687.html

solar panels will be installed in ten villages of Tsakhkahovit community

Over a dozen public buildings in ten villages are expected to save on electricity fees, as part of a ֏54M solar project co-financed by the World Bank and the government.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226517

government injects another ֏885M to complete infrastructure project in 36 communities

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: it's part of the co-subsidy program. Local administrations have already allocated their share. The ֏885M will be spent in six provinces. Construction firms are close to completing the projects.

Pashinyan: how do you know the quality is good?

Infrastructure Minister: the Ministry has people who join local inspectors to visit construction sites for quality checks. Unfortunately, we do have many cases when the job was done poorly, so companies are instructed to correct the errors if they want to get paid.

In Armenia, we still have construction workers who believe that a "new" pipe means a "newly painted" pipe. We are very strict with such cases. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069674.html

urban development investors met the government to discuss large-scale programs

The government's "Investment Support Center" organized a meeting between companies and the premier's office to discuss projects about a large shopping center, a residential district, and a business complex with skyscrapers.

Pashinyan: we want investments. At the same time, we want them to be implemented in compliance with architectural and urban planning norms. We'll meet again. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069721.html

the process of obtaining construction permits will be online-only, starting 2024

Urban Development Committee chief Ghulyan: it's a phased rollout. Vanadzor, Ejmiatsin, Masis, and Yeghvard will switch to mostly online construction authorization permits. There will be a one-window service approach participated by multiple state agencies and organizations. This will save time, make the process easier, and improve monitoring.

This is part of our efforts to increase investments in Armenia, and ease the administrative and financial burden compared to other countries. //

Pashinyan: make sure it comes with a warning system that nudges inspection agencies about an approaching deadline because sometimes construction firms complain about documents being handled too slowly. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069677.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069696.html

Europe confirms that it plans to help Armenia fix its civil aviation safety issues

You might recall (unless you're Ghislaine Maxwell) that Armenia signed an aviation agreement with Europe.

EU office in Armenia: taking into account the expanded relations between Armenia and the EU in the field of aviation, and the signing of the CAAA agreement, the European Commission will aid Armenia to correct the deficiencies and improve aviation safety. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069665.html

Parliamentary Finance commission discussed the All Armenia Fund audit

As you recall from yesterday, Himnadram's taskforce did not find financial violations in regards to the donation funds they passed to the government during/after the war.

Himnadram's taskforce and the external auditor still need to review some documents before finishing the process. These documents are legally accessible to specific institutes only. Pashinyan asked the Audit Chamber to ensure that Himnadram's auditor also gains access to these documents.

Today the Parliament discussed the topic. Audit Chamber chief said they will take care of it ASAP to invite auditors. The Chamber needs MP's help.

Finance Minister Khachatryan: in 2020, we signed 9 agreements with Himnadram to receive ֏52.7B in donations. Per regulations, donations can be spent on infrastructure, social, and healthcare programs.

Of that ֏52.7B, the ֏20B was spent in 2020, and the other ֏33B in 2021, on the aforementioned humanitarian programs.

The audit confirms that the spending directions are in line with the agreement between Himandram and the government. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069729.html

company receives a tax waiver to invest in greenhouse construction in Aragatsotn province

The government gave a tax waiver to Sansa Ltd so it can invest ֏1.1 billion to import equipment materials to build a modern greenhouse to grow roses.

Roses are red, taxes are bad, the best Armenian name is Garabed.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069696.html

😢 sorry for breaking the perfect circlejerk 😢

As it turns out, Parliament president Alen Simonyan's new "$200,000 personal car" is the car that's going to be used for hosting prominent international guests.

Parliament staff revealed that the old car, which was armored and out of warranty, was too expensive to maintain. They recently had to pay $35,000 to swap tires, apparently. The staff decided it's financially better to buy a new one, which comes with a warranty.

Alen Simonyan: the Parliament doesn't buy anything for anyone. This isn't "my car". The old cars should have been changed a long time ago. The old armored vehicle was never meant to be used for so many years. It's 4.5 tons and very expensive to maintain.

The new car must meet certain standards to host international guests. We plan to host many such guests next year during visits relating to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic dies.

Knowing that the new car costs a lot, I asked the government to allow us to use the funds saved by the Parliament. This year alone we saved $1.2 million, but nobody is talking about it. There is a coordinated effort to attack my name.

We slashed the number of state work vehicles by 40% since 2018 [independent analysis confirms ~20% reduction]. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226562 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226098 https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296975/ https://www.civilnet.am/news/641927/ալեն-սիմոնյանի-մանիպուլյացիաները՝-ծառայողական-մեքենաների-թվի-ու-եղբոր-բիզնեսների-մասին/

end of report

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

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/r7gj27/news_dec22021_foreign_affairs_karabakh/