2021 November 1

Daily news wrap-up

News - Nov/1/2021: Reforms in military industry __ Ruling party will co-govern Gyumri & maybe Meghri __ New passports with EU standards __ Raise for border guards __ Other police reforms; National Guard __ Border fortification __ Traffic incident & crime stats __ Infrastructure projects __ COVID
by ar_david_hh

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Your 14-minute Monday briefing in 3620 words.

High-Tech Minister was asked to comment on ongoing efforts to develop Armenia's military industry

Earlier, some experts complained that it's difficult for Armenian companies to produce military drones due to a lack of access to quality parts, especially engines. "Turkey has been receiving its part from NATO members."

Reporter: what's missing in Armenia to drastically develop the military industry?

High-Tech Minister: lack of the necessary military industry infrastructure. Even the companies that exist today have outdated technologies that require modernization. For years, this field was given a lesser priority. Our state institutes in the mil. industry are entirely outdated, from building conditions to the equipment type.

The second reason is the lack of experts. This is also a result of the field having been largely ignored because the state had preferred to purchase weapons instead of manufacturing them. What changes have been introduced recently?

First. Beginning this year, Pashinyan ordered us to prioritize local production over purchases if we have such option, if our product quality meets the standards. Even if [local production is more expensive], the MOD has been instructed to prioritize local purchases.

Second. in the past, the contracts were short-term, resulting in a lack of long-term investments by manufacturers. Recently the minimum contract length was set at 3 years. That means manufacturers know they will have a buyer, they can hire more, they can invest.

Third. The government is helping them to purchase new technologies. We're trying to find new partners, new platforms. We're building relations during international expos.

There are public and private organizations in the mil. industry. We expect private investors' share to increase as the interest rises due to a policy shift.

Currently, we're aware of 10-11 companies working on drones. Some of them have a working model that received a positive response.

https://factor.am/435719.html

Tags: #MilitaryIndustry

335 natural sciences laboratories exist in 107 schools across Armenia

Education Ministry: high schools in Yerevan and provinces are studying natural sciences in new laboratories equipped with modern technologies. These labs can act as the link between education and business.

The availability of such modern equipment will contribute to the development of interest in scientific research among young people.

The labs combine theory and practice. Today, Goris and Vedi high schools are holding biology classes in new labs. This program of establishing labs began earlier last year. The chemistry and biology labs had water supply and drainage systems installed. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066947.html

Banking in the Cloud: Armenian Fintech Start-Up "Highway" Raises $2 million

https://www.benzinga.com/fintech/21/10/23639151/banking-in-the-cloud-armenian-fintech-start-up-highway-raises-2-million https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296443/

Gyumri's Balasanyan Alliance forms a coalition with Pashinyan's QP to govern the city; a similar deal is expected in Meghri

The Gyumri coalition was expected, as reported two weeks ago. Gyumri mayor Samvel Balasanyan had friendly relations Pashinyan administration since 2018. His allies won with 36%, against QP's 29%.

The mayor will be from BA, while his two deputies from QP. According to the BA-QP memorandum signed on Sunday, the two parties will hire staff and develop city's policies together.

Vardges Samsonyan was elected as mayor on Monday with a 24-8 vote. (BA and QP voted yes, HHK and other opposition voted no)

Newly elect Mayor Samsonyan: hopefully the opposition [that voted against him] will change its stance once they see the work done by us. We want to solve the city's problems together. We received the vast majority of QP votes. The cooperation will allow us to resolve the city's issues faster. //

Gyumri was one of six major municipalities that held elections last month. The ruling QP will essentially govern in four. Another one (Meghri) will be governed by pro-Europe and generally pro-Pashinyan "Republic Party". Only one (Goris) remained under the control of the Kocharyan-Serj wing.

Although Aram Sargsyan's Republic Party won Meghri, they won't be able to appoint a mayor because it was a close race. They have 6 mandates, against QP's 5, General Samvel Babayan's 2, Aprelu Yerkir's 2. The mayor needs 8 votes.

QP and Republic are negotiating over a Gyumri-style coalition. QP wanted to appoint a deputy mayor and the city's utility commission chief, in exchange for voting for Republic's mayoral candidate. That offer was rejected. Negotiations continue.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066900.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066967.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066988.html https://factor.am/435182.html https://factor.am/435949.html

government vows to find a "legal loophole" to ensure non-parliamentary parties are included in 2020 war investigation commission

Pashinyan said earlier this year that non-Parliamentary parties and soldiers' parents must be represented in the investigative commission. It will be led by Parliamentary Security Commission. However, legal experts later argued that it would be unconstitutional to involve non-parliamentary forces under that format.

On Sunday, Pashinyan met non-parliamentary forces again (Gen. Samvel Babayan, Aram Sargsyan, and others) and reaffirmed commitment to include them.

Pashinyan: we're currently in search of solutions to organize it de jure. The commission will begin its works when the preparatory work is done. //

Last week the head of Parliamentary Security Commission stated they are currently waiting for Commission member HD MP Ghazinyan to submit his relevant paperwork to be able to access classified information.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066913.html

State Minister of Republic of Artsakh met U.S. officials during California trip

Artak Beglaryan's trip continues. On Sunday he met CA State Senator Anthony Portantino, State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, Glendale mayor Paula Devine, and members of the Armenian community.

Minister Beglaryan: I'd like to thank the elected officials from California for showing continuous support towards the people of Artsakh. California's recognition of Artsakh independence in 2014 was not only a political act, but also opened a window for practical cooperation. Artsakh is ready to deepen cooperation. //

California officials vowed to author new resolutions to deepen the relations.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066922.html

Foreign Ministers of Russia and Turkey met to discuss the 3+3 platform

3+3 was originally promoted by Turkey but was later "hijacked" by Russia to be used as a platform for unblocking regional communication routes in South Caucasus, according to Russian MFA sources. Armenia, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey are the proposed members. Georgia has so far rejected the offer, while Armenia is still deliberating.

Statement by Foreign Ministers of RU-TR: we exchanged thoughts about mutually beneficial unblocking of economic and communication routes in the South Caucasus, and the prospects of using the 3+3 platform for it. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066926.html

Presidents of France and Turkey also discussed the 3+3 platform

https://factor.am/435837.html

NSS budget will increase by 23% in 2022

National Security Services is tasked with catching bad guys but also protecting borders with its Border Troops (Border Guards) division. The agency's budget is expected to increase to ֏43B next year.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066943.html

NSS border guards will receive a 37% salary raise

PU MP Abrahamyan: are there plans to give a raise to contractors and officers?

NSS administration: we're working on a raise for contractors. Currently, it's only ֏160k, so not many people want to join and stay. It will increase to approximately ֏220k ($460).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066971.html

NSS is installing small trailer homes for its Border Guards ahead of winter

CHanges on Syunik borders meant soldiers had to be deployed in areas without infrastructure.

NSS admin.: the installation will be fully completed by the end of November. 99% of them already live in small houses. One was installed last week on the Vorotan road. Another location still has a tent that will be replaced soon.

QP MP Papoyan: why does the 2022 budget allocate more funds for medication?

NSS admin.: due to post-war border changes in the south, we have a very large number of conscripts stationed there for the first time. We increased the medicine budget to ensure they are covered because often they have to serve in the open air.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066972.html https://youtu.be/9j2qgx16tbA?t=159

Parliamentary Security Commission chief called for the formation of volunteer groups to help soldiers fortify borders

QP MP Andranik K.: the borders are much longer today. Our army alone cannot carry out all of the engineering work. I think that some groups, for example students who say they are "with the army", should materialize their words by joining the fortification efforts so our soldiers can focus on borders.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296460/

2022 budget: NSS will purchase "devices" to better protect public office servers

No other details on the firewalls.

https://factor.am/435607.html

2022 budget for Emergency Ministry

Emergency Ministry will receive almost the same funding (֏14B).

Emergency Ministry: this year we examined Armenia's schools and kindergartens to understand their seismic vulnerabilities. We don't have the kind of resources to address every seismic and bomb shelter-related issue across Armenia. It's being done in phases.

PU MP: can you explain why the budget for implementing programs saw a cut while the one for drafting programs saw an increase? Shouldn't it be the opposite?

Emergency Ministry official: we've already implemented programs to revamp tech for rescuers. We used to have a problem with emergency response time; the call used to hop around too much. Now, the call is automatically routed to a local emergency department.

As a result, response time for fire or other natural disasters has gone from 27 to 21 minutes. We've also increased the number of rescuer units. So we won't have to spend as much on these tasks next year.

There was also a structural reform in the Ministry to have a separate department tasked with developing policies, so it may appear that the funding for policymaking has increased significantly, while in reality we took the funds from other departments and centralized it in the new department. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066945.html https://factor.am/435514.html https://factor.am/435499.html

Emergency Ministry counted the number of "hazardous production objects" in Armenia

The number has increased by 1251. Elevators and gas stations are the vast majority, "where the lion's share of incidents occur."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066948.html

2022 budget for police will +3% (֏66.5B)

Besides the ongoing police reforms that recently established a new Patrol Service in Yerevan (scheduled to expand to provinces by 2024), the Premier's office will also review the police salaries next year.

Police official: there will be reforms in the education system for police, retraining for police administration, development of a new methodology while investigating crimes. In the fight against crime, it's important for police to have the necessary tools. In the next two years, we will purchase the necessary tech for investigators.

We have already audited the work done by regional branches. Implementation of best European practices is being discussed.

We recently held successful talks with Europol and signed a cooperation agreement in September.

Armenian passports will be revamped to meet European standards

Police official: active work is being done to switch to a newly reformed passport system. Within two years, we will switch to new biometric passports that meet international civil aviation standards. This will also help Armenia during the negotiations to ease the visa regime with Europe, as part of AM-EU comprehensive cooperation agreement.

Passport offices with long lines will have new electronic devices to improve the quality of service.

There will be a transitional period for passports. The old ones (specifically type 821) must gradually exit circulation. The new system won't be ready by 2023-24. If in 2022 we give an old-style passport with the usual 10-year expiration date, it wouldn't exit circulation until 2032. [That's why in the near future the newly issued "old-style" passports will have shorter expiration date]. Next year we expect to issue 250,000 new passports.

QP MP: what's the difference between the current biometric passport and the proposed one?

Police official: they have many similarities but there will be a design change, and the addition of more pages will allow it to be used for a longer period.

https://youtu.be/TpTcnANdM2w?t=932 https://factor.am/435516.html https://factor.am/435567.html

total number of crimes increased by 6%

84% of the new 1.2k crimes (total 20.8k) were small or medium severity relating to fraud, theft, and traffic violations. The data is for the January-September period YoY.

There was also some increase in the number of heavy crimes (2 more murders, 41 in total).

The number of crimes involving firearms has decreased.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066959.html https://youtu.be/FM0aN0Hk444?t=171

police and MPs discuss the recently implemented point system for traffic violations

You have a limited number of points to waste each year before the license is taken away.

QP MP Andranik K.: we were very excited about the new system but lately people complain that evil drivers game the system by avoiding responsibility. They claim that the driver at the time of the incident was their relative, so they can avoid reaching the annual threshold. Should we draft an amendment?

Every day we witness a road incident. Usually, it's someone slamming at the back of a vehicle [if you've ever driven in Armenia you know that "do you see the tires?" rule is never respected]. This has turned into a cultural feature, maybe we don't like to yield? My colleague says it's because people are distracted by a phone. But what about instances when a phone isn't involved?

Police official: the point system overall did have a positive impact but it hasn't been fully implemented yet - only [cameras] are being used to catch drivers. When you look at the death rate, it's much lower in Yerevan than in provinces.

what is behind the rise in the number of road incidents?

Police official: mostly due to an increase in the number of vehicles on roads. If in the past some road sections were designed for a certain number of vehicles, today we have a significant increase in the number of vehicles being driven there.

Most incidents involve small personal vehicles. Most deaths occur outside Yerevan while driving fast or on dark/poor roads. //

https://factor.am/435532.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066968.html

VIDEO: manholes are being brought to the same level with roads, to reduce traffic incidents in Yerevan

brrrrrr BUMP bump brrrrrr BUMP bump

Yerevan admin.: manholes have been a headache for decades, especially for drivers. Worn-out lids and surrounding asphalt pose a serious threat.

The immediate responsibility is on telecom/water utility companies, but the city decided to intervene to find a solution. A pilot program was launched. //

Yerevan has 16k manholes. 1.8k have been repaired this year so far. It includes major construction to rebuild the surrounding water removal network, etc. Most of the work has so far been in the Kentron district.

https://youtu.be/RqwA5VMRfLs https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067012.html

what will the new National Guard look like?

Earlier this year the government announced plans to form Internal Affairs Ministry, National Guard, and ensure that the National Guard would report to civilian agencies.

The parliamentary committee discussed financial-related topics. An opposition MP hopes that the National Guard will be used on borders, too.

Police official: we are still discussing the process of converting Police Troops into a National Guard. //

https://factor.am/435553.html

the Church has asked Parliament to preserve January 5 and 7 as non-working holidays

Last week we learned that Parliament approved a draft bill to reduce the number of non-working holidays from 16 to 11 to boost the economy. January 2-5 & 7 would become working days.

The Church has asked Parliament to amend the draft bill to retain 5th and 7th as holidays so churchgoers can have three consecutive days: from Ճրագալույց day on 5th to մեռելոց հիշատակ day on 7th. (Christmas is on 6th).

Church: in many European countries, 60-80% of holidays are related to religion, while in Armenia it's only 19%. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066892.html

COVID stats

12.8k tested. 1.1k infected. 1.6k healed. 51 deaths. 31k active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066951.html

the 620,000 Moderna vaccines have arrived

The Kingdom of Norway has donated the shots to Armenia as part of the Team Europe cooperation initiative, in which countries with a surplus share the shots with others.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066886.html

another prominent university professor dies from COVID

Medical Univ. rector Muradyan: we once againt lost another fight to COVID. Medical univ. professor Karen Babayan has passed away at the age of 74. His contribution to the univ. is invaluable. //

Another prominent professor at YSU had passed away last week.

https://factor.am/435397.html

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan:

Let's stand by our doctors and help overcome the pandemic by getting the vaccine. Doctors are treating patients while simultaneously administering 20,000 shots daily.

https://factor.am/435218.html

authorities ramp up mask enforcement

Dozens of buses were stopped and examined by the police across Yerevan. Two passengers were cited for not wearing masks. Residents (with some exceptions) are now required to wear masks in all public areas.

https://factor.am/435221.html https://youtu.be/KWSXkH1OIk8

Healthcare Ministry shared multiple graphs showing how vaccination reduced deaths in several countries

The January-October data suggests that COVID deaths in countries with a 70% vax rate tend to decrease as vaccinations increase. [you didn't need a graph to understand this but I digress]

https://www.facebook.com/OurWorldinData/

https://factor.am/435375.html

ex-Minister Arsen Torosyan: vaccinated people are 11.3 times less likely to die

... and 6.1 times less likely to get infected.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224281

anti-vaccine advocate changes her mind, gets the shot 👏

TV anchor Zara Aramyan: I'm a public person loved by many followers, so I have to be transparent. Being an active anti-vaccine advocate, I realized that we live in a different world today. New life, new rules, new approaches, new roads. You have to be more flexible, and not overly "hardened", to be able to continue to live with a new breath.

Be it a Russian or American vaccine, in the end, it's all up to God. I wish you health and peace. [she shared the photo of vaccine certificate]

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224286

PHOTO: Gyumri held a "vaccine day" to encourage residents to walk in and get a jab

The initiative was organized with the help of the Healthcare Ministry and Red Cross. A similar event was held in Yerevan a few weeks ago.

Long lines were formed in Gyumri on Sunday. Doctors had difficulty keeping up with the demand.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066931.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224303

Healthcare Minister Avanesyan: let's also not forget that smoking kills 5,500 people every single year

That's 20% of deaths.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224390

Forbes: Here’s Why Armenia Is Emerging As The Next Food And Wine Travel Destination

A prominent food and wine consultant Veronica Joy Rogov, and chef Mads Refslund, flew to Armenia to help a local restaurant create "unforgettable dinners". The goal is to develop its future contemporary culinary language.

The guests received a warm welcome at Yerevan's GUM market with freebies. More in the article...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2021/10/29/heres-why-armenia-is-emerging-as-the-next-food-and-wine-travel-destination/

grandmaster Levon Aronian improves his FIDE rating

Carlsen, Liren, Caruana, Aronian (formerly 5th).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066941.html

VIDEO: boxer Hovhannes Bachkov defeated an Azeri opponent (again)

The 63kg athlete defeated Malik Hasanov. Observes complained about the main referee's "bias" against Hovo but the jury gave him victory for all three rounds. This was a fight to win a ticket to 1/8th world boxing championship.

ending: https://youtu.be/NrH-sFMf01s match: https://youtu.be/fZhJOKH_EKQ https://factor.am/435302.html

Yerevan subway played legendary Alexander Spendiaryan's music to mark his 150th anniversary

The composer's gravestone is located in front of Yerevan's opera building, which is named after him. A flashmob was organized by a dance assembly to perform in the opera square.

Participant: a century ago, when Armenia was in a very bad condition, Spendiaryan was one of few who came to Armenia and attempted to introduce European values. His role in our music is invaluable. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066978.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066997.html

Vardenis (Gegharkunik) is beautifying some public areas

Mayor Melkonyan: we installed several light poles with unique architecture. Large-scale construction work is underway in St. Vardan sanctuary. We are cleaning and expanding its pond with new decorations, alleys, trees. The area will become a major tourist attraction center once the constructions finish later this year.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066991.html

Aramus (Kotayk) village will have a kindergarten for the first time

50 kids won't have to travel to nearby settlements anymore. It's-financed 50/50 by federal and local authorities.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224234

anti-corruption: criminal charges against ex-director of Vanadzor infections hospital

Prosecutors report: in 2014, hospital's ex-director R.Ch. and his son conspired to steal federal funds meant for state-subsidized patients.

The director forged documents and signed an illegal vehicle servicing contract with his son. The contract was extended every year, until 2019. They stole ֏11.3M. Both have been charged with multiple felonies. Their assets have been frozen. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066884.html

anti-corruption: police arrests an official from Yerevan's Nork-Marash district office

Investigators report: deputy chief of staff of Nork-Marash district committed fraud and received bribes.

With the intention of stealing property, he claimed that a city-owned land belonged to him, and convinced a person to "buy" it for him for ֏4.8M.

He also took a $4,000 bribe from the "buyer" to ensure the latter can build an illegal building before finalizing the land transaction papers. [which would allow for the illegal property to be legalized through a "loophole" later].

The official is arrested and charged with multiple felonies. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066987.html

PHOTO: Prime Minister's Cup: amateur cross-country running

Premier's office had earlier organized an amateur cycling competition on the shores of Lake Sevan to promote a healthy lifestyle. They held the cross-country running tournament in Armavir province on Sunday.

1,400 participants were split into age groups. Each group had to run different length. It was on the Yerevan-Ejmiatsin highway.

Top athletes received up to $2,000 in cash, with smaller prizes dedicated for anyone in top-20. Young winners received computers.

Yervand Mkrtchyan from Gyumri ran the 10km in 31 minutes and dedicated the victory to Armenian soldiers. In the women's group, the winner was Lilith Harutyunyan from Vanadzor. She happens to be the winner of the cycling tournament. (սարքած գործա այ ախպեր)

Special prizes were awarded to eldest participants Shushanik Poghosyan (73) and Khachatur Prkhoyan (79). Among the participants were journalists and a diplomat from the Ukrainian embassy (he won $100).

Pashinyan: there will be at least 4 types of sports in these tournaments. The next one is ping pong, scheduled for Summer 2022 near Lake Sevan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066893.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1066920.html https://factor.am/435266.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/qkmr7a/news_nov12021_reforms_in_military_industry_ruling/