2021 November 15

Daily news wrap-up

News - Nov/15/2021: Details from Sunday's border incident on eastern outposts __ Armenia & EU sign common aviation agreement; Mirzoyan speech__ Artsakh could relax gun laws __ Russia & Turkey discuss Caucasus communication routes __ C1 English in villages __ Anti-Corr __ Yerevan's new bus network
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 11-minute Monday briefing in 2739 words.

deputy Premier Papikyan will replace MOD Karapetyan after yesterday's incident on eastern outposts; details

After the war, both sides rushed to install positions on the new eastern border. The "positions" in these areas often resemble camping sites with some barriers in front, rather than deep trenches with fortifications. Both siDes have made attempts to install these in areas favorable to them. There have been attempts to capture such positions.

MOD reported yesterday that they prevented Azeris from advancing their positions on the eastern border, and denied the use of armored vehicles by Azeris on the Armenian territories.

However, today the government held a Security Council session and released a statement that denies MOD's claims made yesterday.

Security Council: Azerbaijan brought armored vehicles into the Armenian territory and encircled 4 Armenian positions, but later withdrew after negotiations involving the Russian side. This is the area where Azerbaijan had encroached in May, and they still continue to be on the sovereign territory of Armenia. The rumors that Armenian soldiers were instructed not to resist are false. //

Parlm. Speaker Simonyan after meeting: Azeri soldiers withdrew after negotiations. No one is currently located in those 4 positions. They are currently empty after positional changes. We will prove that these are Armenian territories when the delimitation process begins, and if Azerbaijan does not pull back, we could choose not to pull back in other locations. //

MP Gen. Gagik Melkonyan comments about the location of the incident: in May, Azeris encroached and installed positions within the Armenian territory [near Sev Lich]. New Armenian outpost positions were then installed in the Azeri rear. They were checking Azeri vehicles that were traveling from Azerbaijan to the encroached troops to ensure there were no armaments.

Yesterday's incident involved these Armenian outposts in the Azeri rear. There are three hills where Azeris are currently sitting. The outposts in question are 2-3km behind those hills. Azeris used to transfer their food trucks through these outposts. They approached Armenians in this area and told them to leave. No one is present there right now. The main Armenian positions remain in place, we still stand across the whole chain. //

Security Council called for CSTO, Russia, and international organizations to pay attention to Azerbaijan's aggressive policies.

Pashinyan: we held a Council meeting to discuss yesterday's events and inform the public about the latest developments. After analyzing yesterday's events, I decided to relieve MOD Karapetyan of duties and replace him with Deputy Premier Papikyan. //

Karapetyan recently visited the eastern border to oversee new fortification efforts near the lake. He then visited Artsakh and gave awards to soldiers, the first MOD visit since the ceasefire. Azerbaijan complained to Russia and referred to Karapetyan's visit as a "provocation" that "discredits Russian peacekeepers". It's unclear whether Russia played a role in the decision to replace Karapetyan, but an opposition media outlet reports that their government sources are telling them that the sacking was over Karapetyan reporting false information to Pashinyan yesterday.

The new MOD Papikyan was previously in charge of Armenia's infrastructure and engineering efforts before becoming deputy Premier. He is a close ally of Pashinyan.

QP MP Aghazaryan opinion: our army command does not meet modern standards. At the same time, we have many talented lower-ranking officers who have always been in the front lines, but since they don't have friends in the upper echelons, they don't get promotions.

What happened near Sev Lich [in May] is our fault. Everyone has their share, from top to bottom. There is a problem with responsibilities being "smeared" when you change MODs too often within the military system. I welcome Papikyan's appointment as MOD, he is a member of the political team, he will carry more clear responsibility.

Karapetyan is a militaryman with close ties with Russian generals. That's both good and bad. The bad part is, if you're too close to Russians, you will be constrained while making important decisions. On the other hand, Papikyan being a member of the political team can make political decisions, for example about CSTO. //

Pashinyan: I'd like to thank Karapetyan for his work. As he said this morning, the status of MOD is undoubtedly the most vulnerable status in Armenia today. I made an important political decision to appoint deputy Premier Papikyan as MOD.

Dear colleagues and generals present here today, our country is facing serious strategic challenges. We must manage those challenges in accordance with the best interests of Armenia and Artsakh. Obviously, there will be some emotional assessments, but you should be aware that the government has a clear understanding of what steps are necessary to successfully bring the country out of the crossroads of these strategic challenges, and to pave the way for sustainable development. We will choose this path.

Karapetyan started a very important process about addressing our challenges, and Papikyan will continue it. The Defense is the largest organ in our country, and it must be healthy and efficient, while the decisions must be well-thought-out and stem from our military-strategic needs.

Ex-MOD Karapetyan: thank you. I'd like to ask my colleagues to help Papikyan. I'm confident he will implement the army-related programs approved by the government. I'm willing to assist Papikyan.

MOD Papikyan: it is a great honor for me to take on this role in these important times. I'm ready to serve. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068175.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068180.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068203.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068204.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068212.html https://youtu.be/FtNOpYPH3TU?t=122 https://factor.am/441596.html https://factor.am/441730.html https://armlur.am/1147985/

Russia and Turkey emphasized the need to launch the 3+3 "regional communication advisory platform"

Statement: it is important to normalize Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and consistently implement the November 9 and January 11 statements. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068223.html

Artsakh will make it easier for citizens to arm themselves

The government held a meeting to discuss amendments to gun law. Here are some of the proposed changes:

1) Any citizen with hunting permission will be allowed to obtain սպորտային և որսորդական ողորկ-երկարափող հրազեն ու որսորդական օդաճնշիչ զենք weapons, regardless whether they are members of hunting association or not.

2) որսորդական ակոսափող հրազեն can be obtained by anyone who has ever served at a state military service, instead of only active-duty members. [wouldn't this cover almost all men?]

3) You have to own a certain type of hunting rifle for 5 years before upgrading it. This period will reduce to 3.

4) You might not get a weapon if you've ever been convicted of weapon crimes including illegal sales, production, storage, display, carrying, etc.

https://factor.am/441803.html

opposition MP calls for fellow MPs to boycott their mandates amid discontent

PU MP Taguhi Tovmasyan: opposition leaders should discuss the possibility of collectively placing down the mandates. Anyone [down the ballot] who picks one up [as a replacement MP] would be a traitor. We are not able to work effectively as a legislator during these catastrophic times. Perhaps other means of protest could be suggested. //

Opposition MPs lately have been complaining about their voices going unheard in Parliament, certain commissions not being formed despite their efforts, etc.

The opposition held a protest last week, the first major gathering since the June elections. They declared plans to create offices across Armenia and register people who want to join the "resistance" against the government.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296737/

MFA Mirzoyan participated in EU Eastern Partnership's Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting

Mirzoyan: the AM-EU comprehensive cooperation agreement went into effect on March 1, 2021. Recently, Armenia also signed agreements with Europol and Horizon Europe, the Common Aviation Agreement was signed just hours ago, and we continue to strengthen our institutes and fight against corruption. However, the Armenian people and democracy are under threat since at least September 2020.

In defiance of the UN Secretary General's call for a global ceasefire, Azerbaijan unleashed military aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Moreover, they tried to create a dangerous precedent of an attempt to resolve protracted conflicts in Europe through massive use of force and involvement of foreign terrorist fighters.

Breaking three agreements of ceasefire Azerbaijan finally agreed to stop the hostilities with the Trilateral statement of November 9.

The situation remains fragile. Generic calls on both sides under the circumstances when Armenia makes credible steps towards peace, while Azerbaijan continues the escalation, may indicate indifference and lack of commitment from our international partners.

The use of force against the people, who are aspiring to implement their right to secure life and the right to self-determination, does not resolve the conflict. The very root of the conflict is not addressed. We firmly believe that the conflict should find its political resolution under the auspices and within the mandate of OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairmanship. //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1068230.html https://en.armradio.am/2021/11/12/armenia-joins-horizon-europe-the-eu-research-and-innovation-programme/ https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/armenia-and-europol-sign-agreement-to-combat-cross-border-serious-organised-crime

Armenia and EU sign Common Aviation Agreement

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan: this agreement is yet another remarkable benchmark in our relations with the EU. The ratification in the near future will create new opportunities for the development of the aviation sector in Armenia.

It'll help Armenia adopt EU standards, implement new rules, and will further develop cooperation in the field of aviation security.

It will benefit the national airlines and of course individual travelers. The Agreement will promote trade, tourism, investments. //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1068214.html

Tags: #aviation

unfair competition law was reformed

Competition Protection Commission member: the cases of unfair competition are quite common. Unfair competition is an action of an economic entity that violates the principles of good faith, fairness, and truth during transactions with other entities or consumers.

The current law prohibits causing confusion, making misleading comparisons, etc. The law has been amended to include stronger intellectual property protections and limits on what the brand can "trademark".

Violators either receive a warning or pay a fine equal to 5% of the revenue from the previous year. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068168.html

gov't and World Bank discussed various programs in Armenia

Pashinyan hosted WB representatives today. The topic of discussions included a vaccination awareness campaign, and reforms in education, energy, and digitization fields.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068197.html

mentor school teachers will help fill the teacher gap in rural communities

Education Ministry: the proposed bill will establish an electronic platform to address the teacher shortage in provinces.

Every year, villages across Armenia have difficulty finding 700 teachers. If no one is selected for the job after two attempts, the subject will be taught electronically with the help of a teacher from a mentor school. //

There is a pilot program for rural communities for the 2021-2022 school year. Teachers from 18 schools have joined the e-platform.

https://factor.am/441620.html

English knowledge will be brought to C1 level in dozens of Lori schools

A memorandum was signed between Education Ministry, U.S. ambassador, COAF foundation on Saturday. The SMART center located in Debet (Lori) will promote English in 22 villages.

2,400 students will have at least C1 English skills. Can't do it if your teachers aren't skilled, so the American University of Armenia will retrain the teachers with the CTEFL program. The Ministry will give credits to teachers, allowing them to receive a raise.

If in the past these efforts were decentralized and out-of-class, now it will be part of the school curriculum, said the Ministry.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296736/

COVID stats

6k tested, 0.4k infected, 1.9k healed, 39 deaths, ~~26.8k~~ 25.2k active.

over 1,000,000 vaccinations so far

682k first and 322k second dose.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068169.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068159.html

anti-corruption: authorities to charge a public official with construction tender bribery

NSS reports: we discovered a corruption scheme involving several employees at the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia. The officials took bribes from construction companies that won tenders.

An auction was held in July and a company won the contract to build a school for ֏1.8B. The official demanded $53,000 in bribes to ensure the unobstructed continuation and paperwork process. $5,000 was transferred in September.

Both the bribe giver and receiver were detained immediately after the second $4,000 transaction on Friday.

Both have been arrested. A criminal case is launched to uncover the full circle. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068167.html

anti-corruption: Sisian mayor Arthur Sargsyan to be arrested after Appeals Court sides with prosecutors

Kocharyan-ARF alliance MP Arthur Sargsyan, who was/is the mayor of Sisian, was recently charged with forging documents, rigging auctions, and embezzling funds meant for the construction of a school heating system. The alleged incidents took place in 2016 and involved multiple officials. Sargsyan denies wrongdoing.

The lower court had earlier authorized a ֏20M bail. Today the Appeals court sided with prosecutors and will keep Sargsyan behind bars pending trial. The defense lawyer said Sargsyan continues to be the mayor, and that the court has refused to terminate his status.

https://factor.am/441736.html https://factor.am/441609.html

ex-top-cop Vladimir Gasparyan vs Azatutyun journalist

Authorities recently charged former police chief Gasparyan with obstructing Azatutyun journalist's activities during an altercation. The incident was over filming Gasparyan's residence near Lake Sevan, which is a subject of a separate corruption investigation.

The lower court in Gegharkunik has acquitted Gasparyan of obstruction charges, said the defense lawyer.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068210.html

Silicon Mountains 2021 tech summit will be held on November 19 in Yerevan

It's an international summit dedicated to the Digital Smart Economy, about prospects of application of smart solutions and digitization of the economy. It will be held in Matenadaran. The special guest will be the co-Chief Executive Officer of Synopsys.

Organizer: "Silicon Mountains is our adequate response to Silicon Valley, at this moment only in the form of a summit. It shows our position on where we want to be on the global technological map, showing our country as one that is offering and exporting sophisticated engineering solutions. One of the most important challenges for Armenia is to actively use and export digital solutions."

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/296711/Silicon_Mountains_2021_to_held_in_Yerevan_on_Nov_19 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/225322

Police Patrol service issued hundreds of warnings and fines to jaywalkers

The police launched a safety campaign to remind Yerevan residents not to cross the streets in dangerous areas illegally. (PLEASE THANK YOU)

https://youtu.be/JviPRXIRKLg

more details about Yerevan's new buses

Municipality: Yerevan's public transport congestion will be eased, which will have some impact on the pandemic. The CNG Green Line buses with "green engine" will begin operating in December. They will gradually expand to serve 17 routes.

We recently imported 211 buses with 8.5m length and 60 seats. They meet European standards and have AC, LED screens, disability ramp, USB, GPS, etc.

For now, residents will drop 100-dram coins. Sometime in 2022, we will implement an electronic payment system that will accept smartphone apps and bank cards.

The buses operate on Compressed Natural Gas, which has advantages over diesel and benzin. The manufacturer states that it's cheaper and better for the environment.

Yerevan currently has transport 136 routes, 36 of which are not operating. According to the newly designed transport map [by a foreign consultant firm], there will be 42 routes. The total number of buses and trolleys will be reduced to 939. There won't be any microbuses.

The 211 new buses were purchased by the city for ֏9.2B. They are in addition to the 100 compact buses imported last year. The next step is 100 large buses with 12-meter length.m

Bus drivers are being retrained. There will be stricter rules. The salary system underwent reforms - they get paid a fixed salary and premiums. [no more violating schedule to work exclusively in busy hours to earn more money you say?]

The government has decided that warned-out transport vehicles must exit the circulation. We will soon announce the routes that will be served with the new buses. //

https://factor.am/441630.html

video from Yerevan's newly opened skate park

A concert was held during the opening ceremony. Performers included Harut Pambukchyan, Garik + Sona, and Reincarnation. Ukrainian bands were present as guests.

https://youtu.be/kE-A1F9Xu8o https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068220.html

Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to play another 6 years

The soccer star, who is 32, said it isn't easy to stay in shape at his age, but he is ready to chase the ball for another 5-6 years.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296735/

Men's and Women's chess teams scored victories in the European team championship

Men (6th) defeated Israeli opponents 2.5:1.5. Women (3rd) defeated Poland 3:1.

This was the third out of nine rounds. Three dozen countries are competing.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068160.html

SMS voting will be used in December while picking the best athletes of the year

The ceremony will be held in Gyumri, attended by sports journalists and coaches. Residents can send SMS to choose the winner of the "Audience Sympathy" title, who can be any athlete.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1068201.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/qur9po/news_nov152021_details_from_sundays_border/