2021 December 29

Daily news wrap-up

Dec/29/2021: More POWs return home __ Interview w/Samvel Babayan about 2017-2018 plans; Geopolitical developments & Karabakh status; UN mandate & Russia; International trade route __ Tourism numbers __ Electricity prices __ Russian citizenship law __ Verdict: Police accountability __ Syunik projects
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 11-minute Wednesday report in 2931 words.

young diplomats from Iraqi Kurdistan underwent training at the Armenian Foreign Ministry's diplomatic school

A certificate ceremony was held today for the graduates of the two-week training course. This was the first program of its kind for Iraqi Kurdistan and for young foreign diplomats in general, said MFA. "The program is very important for us both in terms of establishing our place in the international platforms of diplomatic education and in terms of deepening the relations with Kurds and Iraqi Kurdistan."

Naz Ali Abdulrahman is one of the 12 graduates. She is a researcher at the Kurdistan regional government. She wore a Kurdish traditional taraz during the graduation ceremony.

Naz's favorite Armenian historical sites are the Ejmiatsin cathedral and Zvartnots temple. Recently she bought a bunch of stuff from the Vernisazh market.

Ibrahim Bahri is another graduate and a diplomat from Kurdistan.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071997.html

Iran and Armenia will open new consulates

Iran will open a consulate general in Kapan (Syunik). Armenia will respond by opening a similar consulate in Iran. Location TBD.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071973.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071981.html

Azerbaijan returns 5 more POWs

Hungarian government mediated the return of 5 Armenians who become POWs on November 16. Armenia recently returned 2 Azeri soldiers who had crossed the border.

Hungary will also donate 100,000 vaccines to Armenia. The jet is on its way.

Armenia-Hungary relations were frozen in 2012 after they extradited Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071992.html https://factor.am/459603.html https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/297664/

Azerbaijan returns Artsakh resident who accidentally crossed the border

This morning Aygestan resident lost his way and ended up on the Azeri territory, where he was detained. The negotiations led to his release.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071986.html

Minister: medical care will become completely free in Artsakh

Արդեն ձևավորված է անվճար բուժօգնության իրավական և գործնական հիմքերը, և 2022 թվականին կյանքի է կոչվելու լրիվ անվճար բուժօգնությունը բնակչության համար:

https://a1plus.am/hy/article/421567

interview with General Samvel Babayan about Artsakh's status, about the "Artsakh Constitution that was written in 2017 to pave way for a planned land giveaway in 2018", East-West international highway, etc.

Babayan: I had earlier offered my opinion to Pashinyan and President Arayik Harutyunyan about the need to invite experts to sit down and discuss Artsakh's economic development, military, etc. We need a change in the system in Artsakh.

Under the current Artsakh constitution written in 2017, the president makes decisions by himself. They wrote it that way because they planned to give away Artsakh's territories in 2018. They wanted to allow the president to singlehandedly make decisions.

That system did not work well during the 2020 war. I suggest reforming it now. Now they comment this suggestion of mine as "Babayan wants to return to Artsakh and become president. He wants to help Nikol to remove Arayik", etc. This isn't just a lie. It's a cynical lie. There has never been a lie filthier than this. I don't want to return to Artsakh. If Artsakh residents want me to return, I'm ready.

Reporter: What's your opinion on Pashinyan's December 24 interview?

Babayan: Pashinyan revealed whatever took place during the negotiation process, and his opinion.

Reporter: Pashinyan said that according to the negotiation package that he inherited, a "status" would not necessarily lead to independence and that it could be later interpreted as a status within Azerbaijan.

Babayan: I have a different opinion and a plan. My plan is a legal one, through a mandate. Give Russia a UN mandate then use a legal process to bring Artsakh out of Azerbaijan and give it independence.

Reporter: Do you believe that can be done? Wouldn't that be against Russia's interests, since their peacekeepers are there today?

Babayan: Of course it's possible. No, it wouldn't be against Russia's interests. The mandate would give Russians even a bigger role. We just have to lobby the UN to give a mandate to Russia. We need to lobby so this will be done without Azerbaijan's approval.

Artsakh should work on this and not sit and rely only on Yerevan to decide for them. Today when Yerevan formulates its stance, some call it "treason".

Reporter: Isn't this treason?

Babayan: No. The real treason is when Artsakh remained silent for 30 years while their fate was being decided by others.

Reporter: What could Artsakh do all these years if they were left out of the negotiation table?

Babayan: They should have announced that they do not allow Armenia to negotiate on their behalf.

Reporter: And if they don't allow Artsakh to join the table?

Babayan: During Levon, when he announced in 1997 that he proposed a resolution package, we objected to it. He asked us to submit our position in written form. We did. He said he would unable to get it done. A few months later he resigned.

Today Artsakh needs to clearly formulate what they mean by independence. Clearly write the path that you see. Hold talks with Armenia and find common paths.

Reporter: Has Yerevan expressed its stance regarding your UN's Russian mandate proposal?

Babayan: Not yet. Even Artsakh authorities haven't done it yet. Harutyunyan should sit down and hold talks with Yerevan.

Reporter: Why are people afraid of you in Artsakh? Why did you leave Artsakh? Will you try to restore trust?

Babayan: That's your opinion. I left Artsakh because the old and new governments were working against me 24/7. They were working against me even during the war [unclear which one]. They would rather live under Azeri rule than under my leadership. Ask them what they were afraid of. Let's see if they speak honestly, about how they plundered the country for 20 years and threw it aside. Now they are trying to justify their actions, they claim they don't understand why we lost the war, they pretend to be the good guys. They must answer for their actions.

Sadly, the Artsakh public doesn't care. They get paid their wages and don't care about anything else. People are indifferent. So why do they suddenly care about their future after one statement? I begged Artsakh Parliament to decide for themselves what their future should be. Create a roadmap. Where do you see yourselves X years later?

We should use the 1926 maps for the Armenia-Azerbaijan border demarcation. Russia has the maps.

Reporter: Azerbaijan wants an unrestricted corridor. They threaten to place a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor unless they gain one.

Babayan: Excellent. When Artsakh becomes part of Armenia, we will have one border checkpoint for Lachin and one for Nakhijevan.

The communication unblocking process they are negotiating today is going to be an international route. Russia-Azerbaijan-Armenia-Nakhijevan-Turkey-Mediterranean road is going to have 6 lanes. International cargo will pass. Azerbaijan is trying to get a "corridor" here. Our response is, go stand in front of a mirror and see if you can see behind your ear. If you do, let us know.

Our internal political fights are shameful. Russia is holding talks with NATO and the U.S. Are you aware that your fate is being decided there? Russia wants NATO to stay out of the ex-USSR region. That means Russia wants to form its own union, and Azerbaijan will lose its sovereignty to a degree. Armenia has already lost it many years ago - we are allies. Now it's Azerbaijan's turn to lose it. Are they ready to lose sovereignty, or are they ready to go for Artsakh concessions? This is a very complex topic, but people are focused on internal political scuffles.

Any superpower must have a 300 million market to develop. That's the ex-USSR area. Belarus has already joined. Others will do it one by one. Will Azerbaijan agree to become a "vassal"? I don't think so. I think Azerbaijan should get smart and start normalizing relations with Armenians. Let's not rush with conclusions, however.

My proposals will put an end to Armenia's role as a simple buffer for others. We should be able to negotiate with anyone to protect our interests. We need to stop being a buffer. If Armenia develops normal relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, that doesn't mean we are against Russia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan must understand that we will either be used again by others, and end up killing each other again, or Azerbaijan must agree that Nagorno-Karabakh is Armenian. //

https://youtu.be/AOJuWCdOTNY

Russia will amend its citizenship naturalization laws

TASS: Ex-USSR citizens, those with Russian relatives, and WW2 veterans' children will receive citizenship more easily (fast-track).

The amended law, however, will end the fast-track naturalization process for citizens' spouses, high-skilled professionals, and investors.

Naturalized citizens can lose their citizenship more easily. Besides the current terrorism-related felonies, things such as drug trafficking and "crimes against the state" can be used as revocation reasons.

The president will be allowed to grant special passports to [whomever he wants to], even if they don't comply with some or all of the requirements. //

>Effective 29 December 2021, new rules impose mandatory fingerprint registration and photography in addition to medical examinations for foreign nationals who have arrived in Russia for employment purposes and for those arriving in Russia for purposes other than work for a period exceeding 90 calendar days

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071954.html https://tass.com/politics/1382293 https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/297649/ https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2021/12/flash-alert-2021-298.html

Tourism Committee: over 816,000 tourists have visited Armenia this year

If we include December estimates, the number will cross 900,000. This was an active year despite not being as good as 2019. We saw a 50% growth from 2020, and a 50% decline from 2019.

most tourists came from...

Russia, Iran, the US (diasporans mainly), Germany, Georgia, and France.

Countries with great potential are Ukraine, UAE, UK, Spain, and Italy. A marketing campaign was launched in these countries. Guests were invited and ads were printed.

The two main sources are Russia and Iran. They are interested in historical-cultural sites, food, adventure.

tourism laws are being reformed

... to bring it in line with international practices and to meet the EAEU and EU regulations. It's being discussed with industry players.

For example, a system for registering the activities of tourism facilities and entities is envisaged, as well as a voluntary qualification that will enable the creation of a competitive field. New oversight mechanisms are also envisaged to regulate the market.

... expos and conferences

Next year we will continue to invite guests and participate in expos. There will be expos in Germany, Russia, and UAE.

This year Armenia participated in the annual conference of the World Tourism Organization and was included in the Executive Council. The good news is the Council confirmed the next session to be held in Armenia in June. Representatives of around 40 states will visit Armenia. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071912.html

how much do/will Armenians pay for electricity?

As you may recall from last week's news, the electricity prices are set to increase for reasons relating to the Hrazdan power plant and old Gazprom contracts. There is a chance the gas price will stay the same for 10 years if the deal goes through. The electricity prices will increase by 4.7 drams on average, starting February.

11% of consumers are below the poverty line

The price will remain the same for them, at ֏30.

55% are using less than 200kWh per month

An increase of ֏1.5. Currently ֏45.

25% are using from 201-400 kWh

An increase of ֏3.5. Currently ֏45.

9% are using over 400 kWh

An increase of ֏5.5. Currently ֏48.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071956.html

COVID stats

6.8k tested. 88 infected. 125 healed. 5 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071942.html

EU ambassador about EU aid to Armenia in 2021:

Covid was still a problem this year. The EU's "Team Europe" package allocated €100M to the Armenian government and thousands of low-income families and small-medium businesses. EU stands with Armenia and will help improve the social lives of its residents. //

https://factor.am/459399.html

Putin congratulated Pashinyan on upcoming holidays:

Over the past year, our regular contacts have fully confirmed the friendly and allied nature of Russian-Armenian relations. I expect that through joint efforts we will ensure the further dynamic development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including EAEU, CSTO, and CIS. It is in line with the fundamental interests of the fraternal peoples of Russia and Armenia. //

https://factor.am/459423.html

former Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan's family just won't get a break

Ex-mayor and ex-BHK MP Vardan Ghukasyan is going through a property embezzlement trial. His son was recently arrested for allegedly threatening cops after an argument with another resident.

Yesterday Vardan Ghukasyan's daughter's mother-in-law was killed after a financial dispute. Her body was discovered in front of her clothing shop with two stab wounds to the neck. The suspect, who has confessed, had a financial dispute with her. He stole the purpose and cellphone after the stabbing.

Vardan Ghukasyan's daughter's fiancé (the stabbed woman's son) was killed in 2012 on their engagement day.

https://factor.am/459363.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071937.html

anti-corruption: NSS caught several officials at Gyumri Employment Center

Prosecutors report: earlier this year, the director conspired with a group of subordinates to receive $120 in bribes from two residents to register them as social aid recipients.

A similar scheme was used on other occasions.

The director also took bribes to employ the friends of his subordinates.

The director and 5 others are facing criminal charges. Charges were dropped against 4 others for honest regret. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071967.html

police accountability: two cops are sentenced to 7 years in prison for assault/torture

The charges were pressed in 2019 against a senior detective in Yerevan's Shengavit district and his subordinate. While wearing plain clothes, they spotted a group of young men who were arguing in front of the Shengavit metro. Without identifying themselves, the cops approached the men, twisted their arms, and demanded them to leave.

The victims misidentified the cops as the friends of their foes, and began throwing punches. They were shoved into the police vehicle, where they were assaulted on their way to the police station.

The cops have been sentenced to 7 years in prison and a 3-year ban on holding a position at a public office.

This is the first-ever such verdict under Article 309.1, said the investigators.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071990.html

Yerevan ramps up the fight against illegal street trade in certain locations ahead of holidays

Inspectors were sent to areas near Republic Square, theaters, and concert facilities.

Simultaneously, the police are looking for illegal whitefish (sig) sellers. There is a temporary ban on fishing because it's egg season in Lake Sevan.

Two sellers were detained for selling whitefish. The investigation led to busts in Gegharkunik province.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071978.html https://factor.am/459410.html

Pashinyan about the work done by the special group tasked with addressing issues in Syunik:

We implemented programs worth ֏1.1B with the help of this working group alone. There are a wide variety of programs, from agriculture to sport. The goal is to strengthen the resilience of Syunik province.

The construction of new alternative roads is underway.

The construction of a new residential district in Shurnukh is expected to finish in 1H2022.

Pashinyan about education programs in Syunik:

We decided to start our strategic reforms in the general education field from Syunik. The new model is being experimented in Kapan enlarged settlement. We are allocating ֏9B for the education program. Similar programs will be implemented in nearby settlements. (Details in November 11 post. They want to create education "hubs" and develop local transport.)

Pashinyan about North-South, tunnels, and other programs in Syunik:

With the help of the EU, there are plans to implement a program worth €80M to increase the resilience of the province.

Today we're also working on the North-South project, specifically the Sisian-Kajaran-Agarak sections. The process is expected to launch next year. This is a very important project that will have multiple bridges, 2 tunnels with 7-8km length. This will have a positive impact on Armenia's development in general.

The unblocking of regional communication routes will also significantly contribute to the development of Syunik. We have already announced that we are starting the preparations for the construction of the Meghri section of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway [Armenia-Iran and Azerbaijan-Nakhijevan].

Due to the circumstances known to all of us, the topic of opening regional communications obviously has certain problems and risks, but I must also emphasize that it can bring great opportunities.

agricultural lands are being digitized to measure each settlement's potential

Gov't official: An expert group is creating a digital map of agricultural lands. It's expected to finish next month. We will be able to measure the economic potential on a settlement basis. The info will be used to create agricultural programs for each settlement.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071976.html https://youtu.be/elPaJ8oBWlA

village Melikgyugh (Aragatsotn) is now connected to M-3 highway via a renovated road

The state had allocated ֏522M for the construction.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071939.html

road repair company is fined for emitting too much dust

Nature Ministry inspectors sent a ֏3.3M bill on top of a ֏300K fine to a road repair company "Chanaparh" for alleged violations in geological documentation and emitting over 12 tons of inorganic dust, which exceeded the legal amount.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071945.html

PHOTO: walls of an 1195 A.D. bridge are cleared of weed

Sanahin bridge was built by queen Vanen in 1195 in memory of her late husband. The bridge is over the Debed River in Alaverdi (Lori). The bridge is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Emergency Ministry climbers removed tree roots and weed that was growing in the cracks.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071949.html

World Rapid Chess Championship is over

17yo Uzbek player won. World champion Magnus Carlsen finished 4th.

Armenia's Tigran Petrosyan is 27th. Elina Danielian is 28th in the women's competition.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1071934.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/rrgbrc/dec292021_more_pows_return_home_interview_wsamvel/