2021 December 23

Daily news wrap-up

Dec/23/2021: Pressure on Azerb. to open Nakhijevan railway first __ North-South __ 200K Pfizer shots __ 60% workers are vaxxed __ Pashinyan met Yerevan mayor __ Preschool quality __ Demographics program; Soldiers' fund __ Gas; Hrazdan bloc; Iran link __ Metrology standards __ Parakar mayor __ Nature
by ar_david_hh

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Good afternoon to everyone except Alec Baldwin. This is your 12-minute Thursday report in 3079 words.

Pashinyan met the newly appointed Yerevan mayor Hrachya Sargsyan to discuss the reforms

Pashinyan: there was an institutional problem in the municipality, and it was resolved institutionally. What do I mean by that?

Yerevan has been implementing My Step bloc's pre-election program since 2018. In turn, that program was based on Yelk's 2017 program. [Pashinyan used to be a member of Yelk alliance and ran for Yerevan mayor against Taron Margaryan in 2017.]

The political responsibility lies with the My Step bloc and the Council majority. It is necessary to implement the program fully. Being the 1st deputy mayor, Mr. Sargsyan has been a full participant in the process to implement that program.

I attach importance to the process that took place, in terms of the establishment of state institutions. You are aware that settlements with a population of over 4,000 hold new elections, and it's the council that appoints a mayor. It is impossible to work without the council's majority support.

It is very important that today we have a harmonious situation between the mayor of Yerevan and the Council. The mayor must also cooperate with the opposition members of the Council. Here, too, the unifying role is very important.

So far we have provided all the support to the Yerevan municipality, and that support will continue. We will discuss the reform program's speed and direction. I wish you all best of luck. //

Mayor Hrachyan Sargsyan: I realize how big the responsibility is. I'm aware of the institutions we have today and what needs to be reformed to withstand shocks and carry out the functionality.

With the help of the government, we can implement programs that for some reason have been ignored for years. We have the potential. We just need effective management. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071505.html

the government approves another €20M loan to improve Yerevans bus network

It likely needs to be ratified by the Parliament. EBRD said it was extending a €20M sovereign loan to Armenia for the benefit of the Yerevan Bus Company.

The new low-floor buses will accommodate passengers with limited movement, including the elderly and disabled.

https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenian_government_gives_permission_for_ratification_of_ebrd_loan_to_improve_public_transport_in_ye/

the government approves new parental aid to boost demographics

The executive branch approved the resolution presented by the Labor Ministry. Monthly $100 aid will be paid to parents for each 3rd and subsequent birth until the child turns 6.

Pashinyan: it applies to 3rd+ children born in 2022-2026. This is in addition to the one-time aid of $2,000. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071489.html

new programs to improve kindergarten access for rural or disabled children

Education Ministry: In 2021, a number of programs were launched for the first time to ensure access to preschool education. 20 settlements were approved for the construction of modular kindergartens.

Another new program helped establish alternative preschool services in 10 settlements by giving them grants to renovate and equip buildings.

In terms of accessibility, new rules were approved about ensuring kindergarten access for low-income, disabled, and soldier's children. As part of this program, 1,600 children with learning disabilities will receive financing starting September 2022.

... the quality of kindergarten education

Ministry: preschool education standards were approved by the government for the first time. We will experiment the new standards soon.

The pilot program will start in 60 facilities in Yerevan and provinces. This will significantly improve the preschool quality and smoothen the transition to school.

... kindergartens need better tutors

Ministry: It's important to select and appoint quality staff. A Series of rules have been adopted to regulate the pedagogue selection - there will be a competition.

Directors will be retrained and certified starting next year. The retraining will become a regular process done by the state. Later we might implement an attestation process to help raise their salaries. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071502.html

Tags: #preschool #kindergarten

Pashinyan will spend $20,000 taxpayer money on shoes

Today the government decided to allocate ֏10M to preserve the 5,600-year-old ancient shoe discovered in Armenia years ago. It will have new storage/display conditions.

https://factor.am/457232.html

update: Russian gas price could remain the same for 10 years after a deal about the Hrazdan power bloc

In case you missed yesterday's report:

Public Regulator: the price for Russian gas for Armenia will likely remain the same for 10 years. [About a decade ago] Armenia made commitments to return the investments made by Russian Gazprom in Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant and ensure the internal rate of return. But the investments have not been returned; moreover, the credit obligations raised for the reconstruction of the plant have increased.

To solve the problem, the Armenian and Russian governments reached an agreement according to which the Armenian side will annually provide $31.79 million to the company for 10 years - starting from February 1, 2022 - to ensure the stable operation of the Hrazdan-5 power plant.

It will make it possible to have a stable price of Russian gas at the rate of $165 per 1 thousand cubic meters for the next 10 years. //

>Gazprom’s subsidiary Gazprom-Armenia that acquired the 5th power unit of Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant in 2006 is said to have invested as many as $465.2 million to complete its construction and modernization.

The public regulator will soon discuss a possible electricity price increase of 4.7 drams for non-low-income families and those who use excessive amounts of electricity.

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Today the government approved changes in the 2013 Armenia-Russia gas contract.

Report: An annual payment of $31.79 million to Gazprom-Armenia is envisaged for the Hrazdan 5th power unit.

The under-utilization of the Hrazdan bloc was largely due to lack of trade contracts, and the continuous delay of the construction of the 400kW Iran-Armenia electric line.

As a result of the underutilization of the Hrazdan bloc, Gazprom's investments were not only not repaid, but the credit liabilities increased to $100M.

The new agreement will help resume the Hrazdan bloc and allow Armenia to continue to purchase Russian gas for $165 for the next 10 years.

In addition, the agreement envisages the settlement of issues relating to the repayment of Yerevan Thermal Plan's $30M debt to Gazprom-Armenia. //

https://arka.am/en/news/economy/the_price_for_russian_natural_gas_for_armenia_to_be_preserved_at_its_current_level_for_next_10_years/

government signed an agreement with UN Industrial Development Organization to develop Armenia's metrology system

The EU will invest €4M in a new technical assistance project, “Support to Quality Infrastructure in Armenia with UNIDO”. It is in line with the AM-EU CEPA agreement.

It's expected to improve trade competitiveness and help with food safety, climate change, healthcare.

International standards will be implemented in Armenia. The National Body for Standards and Metrology institute will strengthen. It will interact more with European colleagues.

Four calibration labs will be established with the required calibration and measurement capabilities. They will be internationally accredited. Armenia will be able to use the benefits of CEPA, improve the quality of goods produced in Armenia, and ensure international recognition of tests performed in Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071531.html https://www.unido.org/news/supporting-upgrade-armenias-metrology-system

who won in Parakar?

Parakar was a battle between QP, Aprelu Yerkir (former Pashinyan cabinet members), and a local party.

Aprelu Yerkir captured the most votes but did not cross 50%. QP and the local party crossed 50% and decided to form a coalition, with QP giving all its votes to the local party.

How the drama 🍿 unfolded (approximately): a council session was held to elect a mayor. Aprelu Yerkir presided over the session due to seniority. They presented their candidate but reportedly refused to accept the QP alliance candidate, claiming his nomination process was done with a violation (written vs oral).

As a result, only Aprelu Yerkir's candidate participated in the vote. He was elected as mayor with a 10-0 council vote.

QP alliance called the process illegal, claimed they did not violate the nomination process, and continued the council session by nominating their own candidate, who ended up winning 11-0 (more votes than Aprelu Yerkir).

Both sides are now accusing each other of violating procedures and rules. They gathered in front of the municipality building today, with a hope to officially confirm their candidate as the mayor.

There are talks about holding new elections to resolve the dispute.

https://factor.am/457215.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/228108 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/228061

Armenia and India discussed the importance of the North-South trade corridor

Parliament leadership met the Indian ambassador. The Armenian diplomat reiterated Armenia's support to India in the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Armenian diplomat: the export volumes to India have increased almost 20 times compared to 2019, comprising $73.4M. The trade turnover between the two countries grew by 2.7x.

More than 3,000 Indian students study in Armenia.

We should work on the North-South corridor, and review and expand the Armenia-India cooperation memorandum of 2005.

Indian diplomat: we need to strengthen Armenia-India ties. Indian parliament will also form a friendship group soon. Karabakh conflict should be resolved peacefully within the OSCE framework.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071485.html

Armenia is pressuring Azerbaijan to open the Armenia-Nakhijevan-Iran railway route before the construction of the east-west route via Meghri

During a meeting with Russian colleagues, Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan made a statement about the ongoing communication negotiations, saying that the Yeraskh-Nakhijevan-Iran railway [which requires little work] should open ASAP before the more expensive Meghri-Horadiz section is built. The group is discussing the phased reopening of communication routes.

One of the options, according to Grigoryan, is not to wait for Meghri-Horadiz to be built. Azerbaijan is against this. They want the routes to open simultaneously.

Armen Grigoryan: reopening the Kars-Gyumri railway would open many possibilities for Armenia and Turkey. Erdogan said he wants a "corridor" in order to improve relations with Armenia. We have never and will never discuss a corridor, but if by "corridor" Turkey means using Armenia's sovereign lands and roads for transfers, then we have no objections, that's what we want. We need to sit down and discuss. //

https://factor.am/457338.html https://factor.am/457175.html

Kocharyan-ARF-Serj alliances reject Pashinyan's offer to meet and discuss issues in private

The Parliamentary opposition HD & PU alliances rejected the meeting offer, saying they would agree only to a public meeting.

The ruling party criticized the decision, and HD/PU's another recent decision about not participating in foreign diplomatic meetings, calling it a lack of desire to learn about Armenia's challenges.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071487.html https://factor.am/457667.html

Pashinyan will hold a Live Facebook Q&A with journalists on Friday

It's expected to last 2 hours.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071500.html

French presidential candidate Valérie Pécresse visited Artsakh

She met members of the Artsakh government and church. Azerbaijan added her to the infamous travel blacklist "for not asking for permission" first.

https://www.civilnet.am/news/644548/ֆրանսիայի-նախագահի-թեկնածուն-մեկնել-է-արցախ/ https://www.1lurer.am/en/2021/12/23/Valérie-Pécresse-included-in-Azerbaijani-black-list-for-visiting-Artsakh/630357

President Sarkissian spoke about the recent efforts to establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia

Sarkissian recently became the first Armenian president since the 1991 independence to visit Saudi Arabia. He met prince MBS during a business forum.

SA has long refused to build relations with Armenia as a sign of support to Azerbaijan during the Karabakh conflict. The ice is melting now.

In an interview linked below, Sarkissian recalled his visit to SA. They spoke about building relations, trade, high-tech, and the future in general.

https://youtu.be/_i-tnf0p_y8 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071512.html

Insurance Foundation for Servicemen (1000plus) provides details about the number of recipients

The Foundation is currently helping 4,660 recipients, the vast majority of whom (4,243) were added after last year's war.

3,986 recipients are families of fallen soldiers. 98 are families of missing soldiers. 576 are disabled soldiers.

The Foundation expects 200-250 additional recipients relating to the 2020 war and subsequent military events.

Families of fallen or missing soldiers receive a one-time $20,000 aid, plus $400-$600 per month for 20 years.

Soldiers with 1st-degree disability receive $20,000. For 2nd degree, it's $10,000. That is in addition to monthly $200-$400 for 20 years. The size of monthly aid depends on the soldier's rank.

The money comes from paycheck deductions, the size of which was recently increased to help cover the new recipients.

The fund also accepts donations but not many diasporans are aware of its existence. It's www.1000plus.am . It is the official fund.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071510.html

why are people with a history of illegal logging allowed to serve as forest guards? 🤔

That's the question that prosecutors asked on Thursday after running a background check on forest officials.

For example, the current head of Stepanavan Forestry has a conviction record about cutting hundreds of trees. He is currently going through two other criminal trials. [brings other examples]

Prosecutors prepared and sent reports to address the problem. Dozens of forest officials have been fired this year amid deforestation investigations.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071517.html

Nature Ministry met UN representatives to discuss energy-efficiency and thermal insulation program for apartment buildings

It's part of Armenia's efforts to combat climate change. There are ongoing $20M efforts. They discussed the continuation and results.

The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings. They account for 37% of the consumed energy.

Over 80 apartment complex buildings were thermally insulated in provinces last year.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071554.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071564.html

there are 1,500 electric vehicles in Armenia, and over 80 EV charging stations

Four companies are tasked with developing the charging network. A group of experts spoke about the Plug.am project and ongoing efforts to promote EV in Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071568.html

Turkish polls place the opposition ahead of the ruling fraction

Ruling coalition: 39.1%

Oppo coalition: 41.4%

The major parties are Erdogan's AKP (30.3%) and his main opponent CHP (25%).

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Turkish court rules that the leader of opposition CHP party Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu must pay 80,000 lira compensation to Erdogan for insult/defamation.

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Lines for cheap bread are still long in Istanbul amid an economic and currency crisis.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071509.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071524.html https://factor.am/457679.html https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211222-people-keep-coming-crisis-hit-turks-queue-for-bread

Covid stats

6885 tested. 129 infected. 15 deaths. 295 healed. 5119 active.

Neighboring Georgia continues to record a high death toll. 68 deaths yesterday alone, with 2,164 confirmed new cases.

Pashinyan got a booster shot, and he wants you to do the same

Healthcare Minister Ava: we have not yet detected Omicron in Armenia. (աչքներս լուս)

1,591,809 vaccinations. 670,710 have received the second shot. 500 received the third dose.

Pashinyan: the situation is stable, but the next Covid wave is only a matter of time. We should continue to get vaccinated right now as if we are in the midst of a heavy wave. Don't let the knife reach the bone. It is important that we use this quiet phase to get vaccinated. I got my 3rd shot and recommend that you do, too.

Armenia will buy 200,000 Pfizer shots for $2.4M

Healthcare Minister: the process of obtaining Pfizer was very lengthy and laborious. We are nearly done. Today the government allocated ֏1.2B for the purchase. In addition, we expect to receive more shots as a donation.

60% of Armenia's workforce has received a vaccine "thanks to strict restrictions"

Minister: the booster vaccine doesn't have to be the same as your original vaccine. Mixing it can have a positive effect. Right now we're focusing on everyone getting their two shots.

Over 60% of employed citizens have been vaccinated. That means the restrictions placed by us have been effective. This is very important for developing հանրային իմունիտետ.

Constitutional Court ruling deals a partial blow to vaccination efforts

Workers can either get vaccinated or pay for PCR tests routinely. This requirement was imposed by the Healthcare Ministry. The top court has ruled that the Ministry has no legal authority to require workers to pay for their tests. [Doesn't mean Parliament can't.]

The case against Ministry was brought by the Kocharyan-ARF alliance. They want the government to pay for the tests. The government, in turn, says the purpose of asking employees to pay for PCR is to convince them to get vaccinated.

Ministry responded to the ruling, saying it preserves the PCR mandate in general, and that only the "at worker's expense" requirement was struck down. The Ministry said the unvaccinated workers are still required to get tested.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071488.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071495.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071496.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071498.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071525.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071551.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071558.html

VIDEO: Christmas Tree lights up in Yerevan's main Republic Square

https://youtu.be/BmmNqVwPTbw?t=16

Russian man files a lawsuit against Santa Claus for not fulfilling his wishes for 23 years

Vladimir Putin offered his pro bono legal service to Santa Claus, by reminding the plaintiff that only good boys and girls receive gifts.

https://tass.ru/obschestvo/13283273 https://factor.am/457512.html https://youtu.be/Ws1fLCSfjbQ

Yerevan hosted international dancing competition "VIVAT Cup 2021 WDSF Open"

Guests arrived from several countries. They performed breakdance, folklore, modern, hip hop, etc.

Armenia won in the Latin American junior competition. Russian pair won the adult competition.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071514.html

international biology Olympiad will be held in Armenia for the first time

... in July 2022. Guests will arrive from 80 countries. Սեղանը հըմիգվանից քցեք։

Education Ministry: in recent years we began distributing scholarships to winners of local and international olympiads. It encourages the students. They won 19 medals this year. 46 medals in the past three years.

... other geeky stuff

Ministry: It was very important that this year we organized the first inter-school science festival, participated by hundreds of students. The winners gained tickets to the International Science and Engineering Fair held in the United States where one of them finished 4th. This will become an annual festival.

This year we organized the first military camp (մարզառազմական ճամբար) for 100 students. For two weeks, the 11th graders gained hands-on experience in the "NZP" army subject.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071527.html

some morons robbed a candy factory in Yerevan

The group used a ladder to climb over the Grand Candy factory's fence and cut the barbwires. They broke into the facility and demanded the employee to hand over money. ֏15M was stolen.

The police is conducting fingerprint and CCTV examination.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071541.html

FIFA global soccer ranking

Belgium 1

Iran 21

Turkey 37

Georgia 85

Armenia 92

Azerbaijan 120

Moldova 181

San Marino 210

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071507.html

comedy: ՀԵԹՏՐԻԿ ՆՅՈՒԶ / HATTRICK NEWS

https://youtu.be/7DJFxYKbBmQ?t=69

today in history

1871: the premiere of Italian composer Guiseppe Verdi's opera "Aida" took place in Cairo.

1876: Sultan Abdul Hamid publishes the first Ottoman constitution. "In the course of their studies in Europe, some members of the new Ottoman elite concluded that the secret of Europe's success rested not only with its technical achievements but also with its political organizations."

1888: legendary painter (and apparently an idiot) Van Gogh chops off his ear and gives it to a farmer's daughter who was working as a brother maid.

2000: FIFA names Real Madrid the best soccer team of the 20th century

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071472.html

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.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/rn5kf7/dec232021_pressure_on_azerb_to_open_nakhijevan/