2021 November 5

Daily news wrap-up

News - Nov/5/2021: Russia & Armenia want each country to maintain sovereignty over transport roads __ PACE reps. in Armenia; democracy summit; U.S. Congress __ Artsakh population over 100K __ Minimum wages to rise again __ Agriculture & winemaking __ Remittances & prices __ Mass poisoning __ Mer Bak
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 11-minute Friday briefing in 2758 words.

U.S. Congress members discussed the NDAA bill

Senators Bob Menendez and Alex Padilla made three proposals during Congressional discussions:

1) Restore the enforcement of Article 907 that bans aid for Azerbaijan.

2) U.S. government should provide a report about the use of American technologies in Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. The use of such technologies could be against U.S. law.

3) U.S. government should provide a report about the use of American technologies by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Artsakh war, as well as the use of white phosphorus, cluster bombs, and hired foreign mercenaries.

This is separate from similar proposals made by the House of Representatives in September. Hay Dat office thanked the Senators for the "principled approach for holding Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067391.html

U.S. invites Armenia to "Summit for Democracy 2021"

President Joe Biden’s much-touted Summit for Democracy is just weeks away. On December 9-10, Biden will host a virtual summit for leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

>democracies have to come together — to rejuvenate and improve our open, rights-respecting societies from within; to stand together in defending against threats from autocracies; and to show we can address the most pressing crises of our time. The Summit will provide an opportunity to reflect, listen, and learn, as well as to plan and act, so that we can build a shared foundation for global democratic renewal.

The list of guests includes Georgia but leaves out Azerbaijan and Turkey. This is a sharp but expected rebuke to dictatorships of AZ and TR, said "Hay Dat" diasporan office.

https://www.state.gov/summit-for-democracy/ https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/04/biden-democracy-summit-technology-519530 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067385.html

Artsakh State Minister's U.S. visit continues

Beglaryan visited the Armenian embassy in the U.S. and met ambassador Makunts. They discussed the development of Artsakh and the involvement of the diaspora. "Diaspora's vast human resources are even more important for Artsakh's long-term development than the material support."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067399.html

PACE co-rapporteurs visited Armenia: "Armenia is a shining star of democracy in the region"

Pashinyan: for 20 years we have always valued our membership to PACE and the Council of Europe and viewed it as a key contribution to supporting democratic reform in our country. We have tangible success in this field and the international community has recorded it.

We still have the issue of adjusting the speed, we must adopt the right speed in the context of these changes. One thing is clear: the fundamental problem that has existed in Armenia for many years has been solved, and today we have reliable election results.

We have problems in other areas, regarding regional stability and peace. [discusses humanitarian topics and POWs]. I highly appreciate that this issue was voiced and recorded in the PACE.

Nevertheless, despite all the challenges, we adopted a policy of opening an era of peaceful development. But it does not only depend on us. Not everyone shares this agenda or, at least, understanding of the parameters of peace are not the same. We need the support of our international partners in this matter. //

PACE co-rapporteurs: congrats on the proper organization of the elections and your convincing victory. These elections were much more important for you and your party than the elections following the Velvet Revolution because now the situation is more consolidated and you can implement your programs.

It was a victory not only for you but a victory for democracy in Armenia. Armenia has made many achievements in the field of democracy. We had the opportunity to visit a number of institutions, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and other bodies. It is really gratifying to see that your country is a shining star of democracy in the region.

We will continue to voice the need for the immediate release of Armenian POWs. [they discussed regional topics and institutional reforms].

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067454.html https://youtu.be/LJJN924g5ig

deputy Premier of Russia visited Armenia to discuss unblocking of regional communication routes

Pashinyan: Armenia is committed to the statements of Nov 9 and Jan 11, relating to unblocking of regional transport and economic connections. But I want to emphasize that statements coming from Azerbaijan relating to "corridors" are having a negative impact on the efficiency of our work, especially since there is no word about "corridor" in our Jan 11 statement.

My impression is that Azerbaijan is trying to impose its perceptions on the commission. This, of course, is unacceptable for us.

Armenia is interested in the unblocking of regional transport and economic infrastructures by restoring Soviet-era routes. Armenia needs to receive a vehicle and railway connection through Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan should receive a vehicle and railway connection through Armenia including to Nakhijevan.

As stated by Jan 11 statement, Armenia and Azerbaijan need to negotiate over customs control, phytosanitary control (food safety checks at the AM-AZ border), etc. Armenia is ready to discuss this.

deputy Russian Premier Overchuk: we're working on this every day to find the best solutions. We recently involved road construction experts who examined the roads. As a result, we have a better understanding of their condition.

We discussed those results during the October 22 meeting and we believe we will find specific solutions. The solutions are first and foremost based on the idea that the host country retains sovereignty over the roads that pass through its territory.

As you've mentioned, the Jan 11 has all sorts of control mechanisms [for the roads]. We have agreed that such control should be exercised on an equal basis. Now let's discuss what the starting point should be. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067468.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067467.html https://youtu.be/092CwvMUZlc https://youtu.be/B4mYoqbdEYY https://youtu.be/ToIh4084xKE

Tags: #TradeRoute #corridor

Baku is conservative with expenditures in the reconstruction of the captured territories

Only 43% of the allocated funds have been spent, or $561M. The vast majority was for building roads, and $26M for demining.

Two airports are being built. Varanda airport was recently opened; it doesn't say how much they spent.

https://factor.am/438006.html

Artsakh population has crossed 100,000

Minister: 20,000 people continue to live in Armenia. The number was 90,000 during/after the war but the vast majority have since returned. The population is currently over 100,000. Over 20 aid programs were implemented to help Artsakh residents. //

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296551/

Russian peacekeepers helped open a kindergarten in Artsakh's Martakert region

40 kids will attend the new kindergarten in Kichan village. It was a joint project with the help of Merci charity foundation.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/296553/

bipartisan commission will discuss constitutional amendments

Justice Minister: representatives of political parties, legal experts, and NGOs will soon gather and elect a Commission of experts that will discuss whether it's best for Armenia to have a parliamentary, semi-presidential, or presidential system; possible merger of Constitutional and Cassations courts, or Cassations and Appeals courts.

The Commission will be represented by 5 non-apolitical legal experts, 3 parliamentary parties, 3 non-parliamentary parties, 3 NGOs, Human Rights office, Supreme Court, Ministries, etc. It will take 1.5 years to have a draft of constitutional reforms. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067402.html

Small villages lack infrastructure and services. Can mergers and subsidies help?

Hundreds of villages have been joining nearby larger municipalities to form larger clusters for more efficient management and more federal subsidies. Not everyone likes the process.

HD MP Kyureghyan: there are concerns that the mergers lead to migration from the villages, young families move to larger cities. What steps are being taken to improve their lives?

Infrastructure Minister Sanosyan: emigration has been happening for a long time, especially from remote areas. The mergers have just begun so it can't be the reason for emigration to major cities. The opposite is true. The mergers will help stop emigration.

No public transport enters half of our 400 communities. The other half have unregulated transport. After the merger, the state gives them buses and requires the enlarged municipality administration to ensure that every village has public transport.

We're building kindergartens in small communities after mergers. Kapan, for example, is receiving public transport to connect its small villages to settlements with kindergartens so every child in small villages can have access to kindergarten. People won't have to move to Kapan from a nearby village; they can go work and go back.

One of the goals is to prevent emigration from small communities by giving them water, schools, transport, etc.

The only thing that's being emptied right now is the offices of some local mayors [who are no longer "mayors" but more like regional administrators after a merger]. I urge them not to empty their offices. Those are not their belongings. The documents and everything should stay there so the new administration can use them. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067418.html https://youtu.be/by7rlqXKH_E

infrastructure repairs

Karmirgyugh (Gegharkunik) will have several newly asphalted roads with a lighting network and water removal system as part of the federal-local subsidy program.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067464.html

Karbi (Aragatsotn) is having its "downtown" renovated with new sidewalks, benches, trash cans, a fountain near a church, gazebo renovation (very important).

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224665

COVID stats

11.5k tested. 1.8k infected. 2k healed. 50 deaths. 32k active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067388.html

Healthcare Ministry shared a graph showing the difference between countries with low and high vaccination rates

Armenia has a far lower vaccination rate and far higher death rate than many other countries.

https://factor.am/437748.html

Medical University rector Armen Muradyan's message to media outlets:

Be more responsible while sharing reports about vaccines. Next week we will form an expert group that will share quality information with media outlets.

https://factor.am/437783.html

another Vaccine Day will be held in Yerevan on Sunday

Visit the Hills Sports Complex to get shot.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067427.html

Yerevan mayor skipped today's municipal budget discussions because of self-quarantine

Marutyan's wife and children have tested positive with Covid.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067432.html

authorities uncovered a fake vaccine certificate source

Hrazdan police learned that a woman obtained a fake vax certificate, so they took her in for questioning. It turns out she paid $20 and got it from a clinic attached to a medical center in Yerevan's Shengavit district.

The police contacted the anti-corruption committee to investigate possible suspects in Shengavit.

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> /r/HermanCainAward <------

https://youtu.be/0cnJQijqOF4 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067445.html

do not expect doctors to give you oxygen and bed, get vaccinated

Hundreds of people were waiting for beds as of Wednesday. Oxygen stations are overloaded. Metsamor nuclear plant and other agencies had to be involved to produce more.

https://youtu.be/dXgDtZFODaE

private money transfers to Armenia +23%, reaching $1.340B

... during the first 9 months, through banks.

$549M from Russia ($254M to Russia)

$124M from USA ($124M to USA)

$45M from Germany

$39M from France

$36M from Kazakhstan

http://arka.am/en/news/economy/money_transfers_to_armenia_grow_by_23_2_to_1_340_billion/

UN report: global food prices reach July 2011 levels

... heavily influenced by the recent rise in vegetable oil and grain prices.

Wheat supplies are down due to production decrease in Canada, Russia, and the U.S.

Vegetable Oil Price Index was up 10% in October, hitting an all-time high. "The increase was driven by firmer price quotations for palm, soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils." Malaysia is having a migrant labor shortage which affected the palm oil price.

The global dairy index rose by 3% last month, mainly due to increased demand for butter, milk, etc.

More: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-food-prices-reach-new-peak-july-2011-enarruzh https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067403.html

product prices increased in Armenia compared to last year

Overall +9.1% from last year.

Food & beverages +16%

Alcohol +10%

Clothing & choes +12%

Appliances +9%

Healthcare +5%

Transport +8%

Leasure & culture +7%

Education +1%

Restaurants & hotels +3%

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The food was mainly affected by coffee, tea, fish, dairy, and veggies. Veggies are +69%.

Potato is +66% because Armenian exporters took advantage of high prices in Russia, which left Armenia with a potato deficit. Fruits are only +0.4%

Fish +32% because of Իշխան.

Dairy +12%. Egg +28%. Cheese +9%.

Bakery & cereals +10%.

Sugar +20% because of deficit in EAEU trade bloc.

Meat +8%. Pork +34%.

Oils +24%. Vegetable oil +42%.

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Non-food +10%.

Fuel +44%. (I blame Joe Biden.)

https://factor.am/437636.html

mass food poisoning in Tashir pizzeria chain

15 people were taken to a hospital in Yerevan with an intestinal infection. They ate pizza at different locations owned by the same Tashir Pizza chain. All branches have been temporarily closed.

Food safety inspectors launched an investigation. Samples were taken from all ingredients for lab examination. The results will be available next week.

Throughout the day, the number of hospitalizations reached 57. Healthcare Ministry urged anyone who ate at Tashir Pizza within the past two days to visit a doctor ASAP if they develop any symptoms.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067374.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067444.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067449.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067451.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067465.html https://youtu.be/4RHUozRc_Xw https://factor.am/438015.html

anti-corruption: authorities press illegal deforestation charges against 6 forest guards

Prosecutors report: six forest guards in Lori province allowed 346 trees to be cut, resulting in ֏37M material damages. Their assets have been frozen to recover the damages.

There are currently 27 forest officials going through similar trials in Lori province. Another dozen were fired or warned. //

YOU HAD ONE JOB! YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE!

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067415.html

anti-corruption: the director of Syunik State College is charged with giving away fake diplomas

Investigators report: after becoming the director in 2014, the suspect conspired with several workers to forge documents relating to purchase contracts. He also gave diplomas to students who did not attend classes. Felony charges are pressed. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067443.html

legendary comedy sketch Mer Bake (Our Yard) gets a sequel

More drama, new mafia, same chaos. 25 years later, the trilogy returns with a sequel. The premiere was today at Yerevan's Moskva theater.

Azat has a granddaughter who co-founded a startup. The yard has a new resident from China who rents a room in Hrant's apartment.

More: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/224625

Davit Chaloyan wins silver in the boxing world championship

He defeated the Azeri opponent 5:0 but failed against Russia's Petrovski in the finale.

https://factor.am/438018.html

2022 budget discussions continue

Labor & Social Affairs Ministry budget will +15%, reaching ֏580B.

֏35B for ex-soldiers who received injuries while serving on borders in the past. ֏31B for a program that supports vulnerable social groups. ֏11B for salary premium for 35,000 workers in various categories.

Nature Ministry budget will reduce by 26% because they finished a major project in Syunik that was being done with the help of KfW bank.

Residents of 81 border settlements will receive ֏1.2B in gas, electricity, and water subsidies.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067381.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067412.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067426.html

do you want to know how many fish live in Lake Sevan?

Nature Ministry allocated ֏7.5M to count the lake's fish and crayfish reserves next year.

Another ֏118M to remove the submerged trees on the shores to improve water quality. This year they purchased several vehicles for cleanup.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067411.html

Armenia plans to dramatically increase wine production & address grape procurement problems via digitization

Economy Minister Kerobyan: we plan to digitize the grape industry to address procurement problems. This year we weren't supposed to have procurement problems but unexpectedly, one of the largest buyers, that had already made advanced payments, decided to refuse the deals at the last moment. We're talking about dozens of thousands of tons. This forced us to take additional action.

Armenia's agriculture needs deep reforms, with increased productivity being the most important component. We need farmers to get richer every year.

The efforts are already underway with the digitization process. We photographed all the vineyards. They will be tied to farmers. The entire viniculture industry should be digitized to transparently control the subsidizing and procurement process.

It's also important to have the right strategy for the development of brandy and winemaking. We will soon finalize the 5-year action plan. The goal is to dramatically increase wine production in Armenia.

2020: 12 million liters

2026: 50 million liters

2026+: creation of national brandy strategy

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067413.html

Armenia's agricultural sector will have its 2022 budget increased by 35%

Agriculture is handled by the Economy Ministry, which will receive more funds next year.

The funds for managing Agriculture will reach ֏23.6B. It's more than half of the Economy Ministry's entire ֏41.3B budget.

http://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_s_agricultural_sector_s_2022_budget_to_grow_by_almost_35_/

minimum wage will increase again

֏85,000 ($179) will be the new minimum by 2026, said the Labor Ministry during today's budget discussions. The gradual process will begin in 2023.

It was ֏55,000 ($115) when the government increased it to ֏68,000 ($143) in 2019.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067392.html

top-10 bestseller Armenian literature books in October

10) Երկու զավեշտախաղ, by Մելոյի (psychiatric hospital escapee and Տուտուզի կենացը)

3) Թեյահոլիզմ, by Լիլի Մկրտչյան

2) Ինձ պիոններ չնվիրես, by Գոհար Նավասարդյան

1) Կախվածություն, by Սյունե Սևադա

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067273.html

today in history

1912: Woodrow Wilson elected as U.S. president

1914: Britain declares a protectorate over Egypt and declares war on Ottoman Empire

1935: Monopoly game is produced

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1067364.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/qnjp3l/news_nov52021_russia_armenia_want_each_country_to/