2021 December 3

Daily news wrap-up

Dec/3/2021: Scientist salaries to grow rapidly; Sending students abroad; Infrastructure __ Yerevan Lake & Hrazdan cleanup __ Only qualified preschool teachers __ Highest wages are in ... __ Disability reforms __ Roads, bridges, & railways __ Modernizing agriculture __ Azerbaijan kills a shepherd
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 12-minute Friday briefing in 3068 words.

today in history

1900: biweekly journal "Pro Armenia" is published in Paris

1920: The Treaty of Alexandrapol is signed between Armenia and Turkey to end the war. The terms of the treaty were prepared by the Turks, with the Armenians [ARF] having no input. It required Armenia to cede to Turkey its entire province of Kars together with the Surmalu district of Yerevan province. A large part of the south of Yerevan province was also to be ceded to Azerbaijan. More.

1958: Sasuntsi Davit statue is erected near Yerevan railway station

1967: first heart transplant surgery

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069749.html

prosecutors are investigating claims made by General Samvel Babayan

Babayan recently claimed that "incompetent generals" rushed to forge documents after the war to cover up their improper handling of war events, and that he is aware of such instances. He is waiting for the War Commission to launch so it can investigate the alleged activities.

Prosecutors launched a process to investigate Babayan's claims.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069788.html

Foreign Ministry statement after Azeri soldiers kill an Armenian shepherd in Artsakh: the guarantees of physical security and right to life is impossible under the jurisdiction of subordination of Azerbaijan

Artsakh NSS in the morning: 65yo residents of Martuni went missing. We learned that he accidentally crossed the border and was taken captive. We're taking steps to return him.

Artsakh MFA: 65yo shepherd Seyran Sargsyan was killed by Azeri soldiers. Such terrorist and barbaric action is a direct result of state-sponsored Armenophobia and genocidal policies. The proof is the false statement made by Azeri MOD justifying the terrorist act.

Baku's behavior is a gross violation of international law. This is also a brutal blow to the Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh. We strongly condemn the terrorist policies of Azerbaijan.

We urge the civilian population not to respond to provocations [last time it was a grenade attack on the Azeri outpost]. Artsakh was, is, and will be Armenian. //

Armenian MFA: this is a violation of international laws. These terrorist acts are systemic and the continuation of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing policies. It once again proves that the guarantees of physical security and right to life of the Armenians of Artsakh are impossible under the jurisdiction of subordination of Azerbaijan. //

In other news, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, one of the lawyers representing Armenia in the Hague lawsuit brought by Armenia against Azerbaijan, is headed to Europe. The World Court is expected to read a verdict [interim measure, not the final one] on Tuesday. Armenia is suing Azerbaijan for state-sponsored racist and hateful policies.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069774.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069833.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069799.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069843.html

births are on the rise in Artsakh; record number in November

Arayik Harutyunyan: we had 178 births in November. It's a record number compared to previous months. It's the closest to pre-war numbers. This is an important post-war development. The real guarantee of our success is demographic growth.

We will spare no effort and energy to increase growth through various programs. [they recently launched a free fertility treatment program] //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069759.html

foreign affairs & meetings

MFA Mirzoyan's OSCE Ministerial conference meetings continue in Sweden. He met colleagues from Austria, Greece, Finland, Croatia, and several other states to discuss the regional conflict.

Mirzoyan to OSCE Secretary General: the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, created after Azerbaijan's use of force, cannot be a basis for resolving the conflict.

Azerbaijan's continuous use of Armenophobic rhetoric and action is hindering the efforts to establish peace in the region. POWs must return unconditionally.

It is necessary to find comprehensive and lasting peace under the OSCE Minsk Group mandate. //

MFA Mirzoyan during OSCE Ministerial conference: Azerbaijan violated the UN laws and Helsinki principles by unleashing war... The topic of negotiations should include the status of Nagorno-Karabakh based on people's right to self-determination, and the return of the displaced Armenian population to all Nagorno-Karabakh territories. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069756.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069760.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069762.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069826.html https://www.civilnet.am/news/641984/լղ-կարգավիճակի-որոշումը-տեղահանված-հայ-բնակչության-վերադարձը-պետք-է-լինեն-բանակցությունների-հարցեր․-միրզոյան/

Russian Foreign Ministry denies Parliament president Simonyan's claim that Lavrov's plan was about giving away lands

I covered it in detail in November 24 post. A Russian reporter, who was later accused of making misleading claims, asked Alen Simonyan why Armenia gave away lands to Karabakh, to which Simonyan responded saying if Armenia wanted to give away lands it would have accepted "Lavrov's Plan".

Russian MFA responded saying it was a good plan that would have resolved the conflict in phases and allowed a final referendum to be held in Karabakh. Neither party rejected it as of Autumn of 2020 but there were disagreements around it, said the Russian MFA. [one of which was probably Azerbaijan wanting the referendum to give Karabakh an autonomy within Azerbaijan, and not as a completely independent state, which is what Armenia and apparently Lavrov wanted]

https://www.civilnet.am/news/642120/համեմատե՛ք-համանախագահների-առաջարկները-իրականության-հետ-և-եզրահանգումնե՛ր-արեք․-ռդ-ագն/

Cyprus Parliament adopts resolution condemning Azerbaijani aggression against Armenians

The unanimous resolution urges for the release of all captives and calls for the world to pressure Azerbaijan to stop the aggressive policies. It also condemns Turkey's involvement in the war.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069811.html

second protest in Baku in three days

A group of disabled and unemployed residents gathered in front of the Labor Ministry to protest living conditions and lack of disability payments. Some of them complained that the payments stopped earlier this year.

There was a larger protest in Baku on Wednesday, in support of jailed opposition activist Saleh Rustamov (Popular Front Party). Three dozen people were detained by Polis. The activist was charged with financial crimes. He launched a hunger strike on November 6.

The U.S. embassy expressed deep concerns " about the violence against protesters.

https://factor.am/449471.html https://globalvoices.org/2021/12/01/protest-in-support-of-jailed-opposition-activist-in-baku-turns-violent/ https://factor.am/449542.html

military pilots are training to help firefighters in the event of wildfires

Army helicopters collected water with buckets to learn how to extinguish wildfires.

Some anti-vax activists claimed that it was the government using "chemtrails" to spread the virus. (nice)

https://factor.am/449350.html https://www.civilnet.am/news/642108/ինչ-էր-շաղ-տալիս-ուղղաթիռը-պաշտպանության-նախարարությունը-պարզաբանում-է/

deputy Minister about the ongoing tripartite negotiations to lift the communication blockade:

We're still discussing the routes and border crossing procedures.

The railway routes are clear: Yeraskh-Nakhijevan, southern Armenia, and Hrazdan-Ijevan-Azerbaijan [north]. We also have a railway to Georgia, and another route to Turkey.

We could gain road and railway links to our strategic partner Russia through Azerbaijan, and to Iran through Nakhijevan. //

The first transport meeting by deputy premiers, after the bigger Sochi meeting, was held on December 1. The deputy premiers will meet again.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069794.html

competition launches to choose a company to rebuild an 8-km section of North-South highway

It's for rebuilding an 8km highway near village Agarak on the Yerevan-Gyumri-Georgia road. Also known as Tranche-2.

one of the Alaverdi bridges is being rebuilt

... as part of the project to improve the Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgia border route. There is a detour for vehicles traveling from Georgia to Vanadzor. Alaverdi has twin bridges. The second bridge will be renovated once this one is complete.

50 more families in Voskevaz (Aragatsotn) will have gas

... as part of infrastructure project cofinanced by federal and local govt.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069830.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069802.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226685

busted

Anti-corruption committee reports: Vardan Minasyan, the 2015-2016 head of Police Department's State Protection service, conspired with his subordinates to misappropriate large sums and launder ֏875M ($1.7M). //

Long story short, the agents were supported to get paid to guard objects. They are accused of cash machinations and laundry. Some of the cash was allegedly used to purchase Rolls Roys Ghost, Bentley Continental, etc.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069827.html

Serj-era police chief Vladimir Gasparyan's top bodyguard Arshak Hakoyan is arrested

The court has authorized his arrest after the Anti-Corruption Committee found evidence allegedly showing that the official intentionally concealed his wealth from the declaration documents, and allegedly laundered ֏22M in 2017-2018.

https://factor.am/449337.html

Lower Court judge acquits a man accused of inciting violence against Pashinyan in the aftermath of the war

It's one of the post-war episodes. The man had uploaded a video in which he said: "Նիկոլի հետ հաշվեհարդար տեսնելու պատվերը հայ ժողովրդինն ա", "We have thousands of Tehlirians" (ARF activist who assassinated Taleat), and other stuff.

Judge Davit Balayan acquitted the defendant. Prosecutors will challenge the verdict in Appeals court.

https://factor.am/449294.html

COVID stats

6.5k tested. 0.4k infected. 1k healed. 13 deaths. 11.4k active.

https://factor.am/449197.html

which Armenian provinces have the highest & lowest average monthly nominal wages?

1) Syunik ֏283k ($577)

2) Yerevan ֏224k ($457)

...

11) Gegharkunik ֏124k ($253)

https://www.civilnet.am/news/642026/միգրացիան-ու-գործազրկությունը-հայաստանում-մամուլում-սխալ-թվեր-են-շրջանառվել/

officials attended the funeral of Vano Siradegyan, a prominent political figure from 90s

A vehicle belonging to Premier's cabinet was involved in an incident on its way to the funeral. Pashinyan's assistant chief of staff and others were taken to a hospital.

https://factor.am/449502.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069808.html

Armenia has interesting offers for tourists this winter

How about winter rafting, snowkiting, and snowboarding? The Tourism Committee has purchased ads to advertise the country. The main targets are Russia, a few EU states, the US, and lately Ukraine. The tour options are not limited to Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk.

https://youtu.be/vZlLW1dVP08 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069761.html

Armenia has a new privately owned theater

It's called Theater Station (Թատրոն Կայարան), located at Tigran Mets 80\1. The founders are actors Arthur Petrosyan and Karapet Karajyan. The 15-member group is working mostly on a voluntary basis in an effort to get the thing going.

More: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226630

Yerevan Lake cleanup project

You might recall a report from last month about the level of pollution in Yerevan Lake reservoir. It was so bad the city had to drain it to clean the trash that was clogging the water drains. Photos showed the shores covered in trash and sewer water. The government announced plans to clean up the Lake and Hrazdan River, which is connected to the Lake.

Hrazdan River starts from Lake Sevan and eventually reaches Yerevan Lake. On its way to the capital, the river collects sewage and waste dumped by other settlements. The situation gets worse as it flows through the capital.

Over time, the fish population reduced in the river. The latest studies found 5-6 types of fish in the Yerevan area, down from 12. The birds are also negatively impacted by the pollution.

The shores and the bottom of Yerevan Lake have been neglected for years due to a lack of financial resources.

Municipality official: we've been working on a project since 2019. The council approved it in May. //

The city will collect environmental fees from [presumably nearby] companies to help clean up the lake from the 12,000 tons of waste [is that a lot?]. Floating nets will be installed to catch plastic and large objects traveling through the River into the Lake.

In 2018, an auction was launched to choose the best investments ideas to develop the Lake area with a leisure zone and services. The winner was "Yerevanyan Lake Smart Park". It would build 8 zones on the shores with services and public activity areas. But due to the pollution, the only service they could provide was kayaking but that, too, is facing difficulties.

Municipality official: there are multiple projects [if we find money]. The Lake can connect to Dalma Gardens beautifully. No specific offers yet. //

The cleanup is expected to launch early next year.

https://youtu.be/VYbuvl__7uo

https://www.civilnet.am/news/641869/ինչպես-է-մաքրվելու-երևանյան-լճի-12-000-տոննա-աղբը-և-կանխվելու-լճի-հետագա-աղտոտումը/

update: Armenia reformed disability laws to abolish the 1-3 Group tier in favor of new system / Disability access requirements

Parts from the May 12 news: The new system will take into account the person's surrounding environment and the practical ability to function in the society. The 1-3 groups will be replaced with light, medium, heavy, and deep categories. The reform was done in cooperation with international experts.

Labor & Social Affairs Ministry: the new rating system will evaluate the person's health, cognitive abilities, environmental factors. The goal is to maximize their integration with society.

To reduce corruption, the process of forming groups that meet residents to assess their disability will be organized through a new e-disability system. There won't be permanent groups anymore. There will be a registry containing specialists' details that will be used to form groups. They won't know ahead of time who their patient will be.

After reforms, even if the person is found not to have a disability but still requires some assistance, they will receive the assistance to prevent worsening of the condition.

The law emphasizes the need to have a disability-friendly environment. Public buildings will have 3 years to adjust with disability access. There will be penalties for non-compliance which will increase if not corrected within a year.

The law also envisions an institute of a personal assistant. After assessing the needs, the government will provide personal assistant as a service. //

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Labor Ministry today: as of November we have 197k citizens with various disabilities. Group 1: 10k, Group 2: 68k, Group 3: 110k. [I'm aware the numbers don't add up to 100%, put the pitchfork down plz.]

9.2k of them are children. 1.5k are participants of the 2020 war.

After ten years of delays, this year we adopted the reforms. Instead of one law about disability, we have two: disability rights law and person's functionality assessment law.

Currently, only doctors assess the person's level of disability. Under the new system, there will be other experts involved as well. They will help provide targeted services to prevent the worsening of health conditions. There will be mental health services, personal assistance, etc.

The transition will happen in February of 2023, but we'll have pilot programs in 2022. We're cooperating with the EU to implement it. Foreign experts will arrive to work with our groups. Covid delayed the process but we have the roadmap.

Disability recipients will receive either cash, services, or both. //

https://factor.am/449341.html https://factor.am/449443.html https://youtu.be/lYnNfCicJLU

Tags: #DisabilityLaw

bill: preschool teachers will be selected through a competition to raise education quality

Education Ministry: the current law doesn't regulate the teacher selection process. Directors often hire unskilled workers. The legal reforms will establish a unified procedure for choosing applicants.

This is necessary to improve preschool quality and ensure the child's smooth transition to school. This will directly impact their performance in elementary years.

The preschool director informs the municipality about a vacant position. A competition is held at least once a month until someone is hired. The competition consists of two exams: written and oral. The Ministry will create a 50-question list for each exam. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069773.html

European Commission experts give a positive conclusion to the substantiation of the extension of the operation of Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant

Armenian expert: It confirms that Armenia is on the right track in terms of nuclear safety. There was an ARRA-08 program for documenting the long-term operation safety of the 2nd power unit of Metsamor NPP.

According to the assessments of European experts, the permit to extend the term of operation is justified.

Treatment of the reactor body, and the subsequent safety assessment, showed that the reactor body has sufficient resources to work until 2039. If the resource of other components is also substantiated, we can think about exploitation after 2026. [NPP needs another renovation to work until 2036, before the construction of a new NPP] //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1069828.html

engineering lab will open in Armavir province with the help of Lebanese-Armenian businessman

DeepEngineering AEF is a project by diasporan businessman Raffi Der-Martirosyan (Raf Derma). The lab is located in the school building in village Tairov (Armavir). They promise to make it the largest of its kind in Armenia.

Free classes. Drones. Robots. Smart devices.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/226654

the government will increase scientist wages, more funding for research & modernization

Pashinyan: science budget will increase by 85% next year, while funds for scientific thematic research will increase 2.5 times, reaching ֏6.7B.

Gross science funding is doubling compared to 2017-2018.

We also approved a program to raise the base salaries in science from $183 to $560 by 2026.

As for the heads of scientific departments, it will increase from $290 to $980.

It's important that we allocate the funding in a way not only to raise the salaries but to also achieve medium-term results that will later be reflected in the economy. //

Pashinyan about the wage increase starting this January 1:

Lab assistant +52% (to $208).

Senior lab assistant +44% ($225)

Junior researcher +40% ($245),

Senior researcher +102% ($409)

Lead researcher +118% ($510)

Chief researcher +165% ($750)

Head of scientific group +78% ($470)

Head of scientific department +147% ($715). //

Science Committee chairman about 2022 plans: funds will be spent on modernizing infrastructure, restoration of science centers, development of professional skills, retraining of young scientists abroad, exchange of practice, and organization of international competitions.

Our scientists will also have additional opportunities as part of the "Horizon Europe" program. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069805.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069825.html https://youtu.be/idlSOHsN6Y4

Tags: #ScienceWages #wages

government will buy a dozen electric vehicles (for Alen Simonyan, sources familiar with the matter say)

Nature Ministry: we drafted a bill to extend the electric vehicle import/VAT tax waiver until 2024. It's for small and big vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, and buses, that operate exclusively on electricity. The ongoing waiver began in July 2019.

2018: 12 EVs imported

2019: 668

2020: 2155

2021: 2468 (during the first half of this year)

We have 40-45 charging stations in Armenia, half of which are in Yerevan. You'll also find them in Gyumri, Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan, Ijevan, Vanadzor, Sevan, Ashtarak, etc.

The Ministry launched a grant program called "Հայաստանում անցում էլեկտրոնային շարժիչով մեքենաներին" to purchase over a dozen electric vehicles for the government and to install more chargers.

This is part of Armenia's efforts to reduce emissions by 40% in 2030, compared to 1990. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069776.html https://youtu.be/pnK_qImb7rw

Switzerland is helping Armenia to modernize agriculture

On Friday, Switzerland launched an $8 million long-term development program to help Armenia with modernizing its Vocational Education System in agriculture. The public and private alliance will mobilize funds.

The organizers are Swiss NGO "KETS", Armenian NGO "SDA", and German GIZ, under the coordination of the Armenian government. There were private donors as well.

The education system will be reformed to match the market demand. Rural youth are expected to have more jobs and an ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practice. They'll have the opportunity to work in local companies and farms. The government will issue diplomas.

The project starts today. 9 months prep time. 8 years to finish.

It's for Southern Syunik and Vayots Dzor and several Northern regions.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1069778.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/r8a5gt/dec32021_scientist_salaries_to_grow_rapidly/