2022 February 2

Daily news wrap-up

Daily Digest - 2/2/2022: Education reforms, Career orientation in schools __ IRS to retrain agents; Faster service __ 911 network to be revamped __ Deaths decreased in army __ Media outlet for sale? __ Geopolitics today __ Yerevan-Istanbul flight __ Austria-Armenia BFFs __ Real estate stats __ +++
by ar_david_hh

---

This is your 9-minute Wednesday recap in 2357 words.

education reforms: career orientation for students

Details about the planned education reforms can be found in [Jan. 24 post](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/sbyl40/jan242022_sarkissian_resigned_amid_international).

Education Ministry: The new state standards for general education are currently being tested in Tavush. The 8-11 graders will take professional orientation courses.

The goal is to help students choose their profession by taking into account the student's interests, needs, and labor market demand.

A psycho-educational analysis will help uncover the student's abilities and interests for more targeted help.

There will be cooperation with vocational, secondary, and higher educational institutions, and businesses.

34 hours per year, one meeting per week, conducted by a trained specialist. //

https://factor.am/470779.html

IRS launches "unprecedented training courses" for customs agents

The reforms were announced last year. It's a joint effort with the help of international organizations to improve service quality. The graduates will receive certificates and a job offer at IRS. Current agents and citizens with higher education can apply.

IRS rep.: The goal is to have a professional workforce. There will be several phases. The applicants will be tested and have their backgrounds checked before starting the courses.

Agents' level of knowledge will be checked through regular exams. Multilingual applicants are preferred. //

... part of wider reforms

IRS rep: The customs service will become faster and more digital. Low-risk and honest businesses will have the ability to minimize efforts on the border. The declaration process will become fully digital with fewer in-person visits.

The risk management system will improve. The customs agent will receive electronic instructions about a business. Red = inspect package. Yellow = inspect documents. Green = let it go.

More: https://youtu.be/CYJsNdslEMI?t=59 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074498.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074519.html https://factor.am/470787.html

fewer soldiers died in 2021 than in 2020 (war excluded)

Helsinki NGO presented the death statistics and the cause of death. Here is the comparison for 2020/2021:

Total: 100/76

Ceasefire violation: 17/19

Health problems: 25/17

Vehicle incident: 22/15

Murder: 4/11

Suicide: 18/9

Accidents: 14/5

https://factor.am/470843.html

European Ombudsman office urged Armenian public TV to dedicate more air time to Armenian Ombudsman

Former HRO Tatoyan, who had a public "political" spat with some officials last year, later complained about not receiving airtime on public TV. The European Ombudsman has urged the public TV to stop ignoring Ombudsman's activities so it can continue to promote human rights and democratic values.

https://factor.am/470742.html

Armenia and Russia discussed the resumption of transport routes in the South Caucasus

Deputy Premier Alexei Overchuk visited Armenia, where he met his counterpart, Mher Grigoryan. They invited the director of Russian Railways and the Russian ambassador to Armenia.

The topic was Armenia-Russia trade, the activities of South Caucasus Railways in Armenia, and the resumption of trade/transport routes in the region.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074541.html

U.S. and Turkey discussed normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations

US's Jake Sullivan spoke with Erdogan adviser ~~Steven Ogg~~ Ibrahim Kalin about the current diplomatic efforts.

Flyone Armenia airlines conducted the first direct flight to Istanbul

Turkey recently granted them a license to hold Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights every Monday and Friday. Over 60 people flew today.

A passenger was interviewed. She said she lives and works in Istanbul and was visiting relatives in Armenia. "It'll be better if the relations improve. Both people will live peacefully."

A man said he is traveling to Istanbul to purchase large quantities of clothing for resale in Armenia. He said the product is cheaper and has fighter quality there. "The European product with the same quality is very expensive."

The departure hall featured photos taken by famous Turkish-Armenian photojournalist Ara Güler.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074517.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074565.html https://factor.am/471106.html https://youtu.be/rU929vKa5E4

Austrian Foreign Minister visited Armenia

MFA Schallenberg and MFA Mirzoyan visited the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial on Wednesday, ahead of the meeting in which they discussed the AM-AT relations.

Schallenberg: The normalization of AM-TR relations will be a big step for the entire region. We must work to ease tensions and build trust. Very conscious steps are being made in the direction of normalizing relations between neighbors. //

Schallenberg: The will of Armenians and Azeris is needed to move forward. We are ready to help but you must be willing to accept our help. There are still some issues but I have the impression that the moods have changed since my previous visit last summer. I'm more encouraged now. I see signs of moving in the right direction. I'm speaking on behalf of Austria and the EU, and hopefully OSCE.

Mirzoyan: The world has seen Armenia's willingness to build relations and establish peace in the region. It's up to Azerbaijan now. Their president continues to use anti-Armenian language and refuses to resolve border and humanitarian issues. //

Mirzoyan: I must praise the fact that Mr. Schallenberg supports the OSCE format aimed at the settlement of the still unresolved Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He also expressed support for the solution of all humanitarian problems (POW, monuments). //

Austrian Development Agency has opened a new office in Yerevan

Schallenberg: This is my second visit to Armenia in the past 12 months. It shows the importance of bilateral relations. I'm happy about our 30 years of diplomatic relations and the joint programs. We have not yet utilized that whole potential.

Mirzoyan: We need contacts between AM-AT business communities. Thanks for bringing a business delegation with you for the February 3 business forum in Yerevan. //

The two cut the red tape to open the new Austrian Development Agency office in Yerevan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074525.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074526.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074542.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074546.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074560.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074578.html

Pashinyan hosted Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia

Covid is gone, meetings are back. Pashinyan spoke about establishing closer relations between justice and law enforcement agencies of two states. "Send greetings to my friend Irakli Garibashvili."

Armenians and Georgians are the nearest and dearest peoples, said Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri. The two spoke about the recent reforms in the Armenian police.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074562.html

opposition parties do not have a presidential candidate yet

Context about Sarkissian and what's next, in [Tuesday news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/si7lts/dragon_reaper_antiuav_artsakhs_new_reservoir_tumo/).

The HD and PU alliances are yet to nominate their candidate(s). PU likely won't nominate anyone independently because they don't have enough MPs to launch a process. They could cooperate with HD to support their candidate but there haven't been official negotiations yet.

The ruling party is expected to be able to appoint a president without any votes from the opposition. It can be done during the second round of voting.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074514.html

now-former president Armen Sarkissian opens a Facebook page

You may now follow Reddit's Favorite Oligarch™ at https://www.facebook.com/4thpresidentAM/

did businessman Ruben Vardanyan and Armen Sarkissian buy prominent opposition media outlet ArmNews?

Hraparak outlet cited sources claiming that Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent Russian-Armenian businessman who owns large energy/telecom/retail businesses, has become a shareholder of Armnews outlet.

Another outlet claimed he purchased 60%. It reported that ex-president Armen Sarkissian was also a co-owner.

Ruben Vardanyan denied the rumors. He said he would rather launch a new media outlet with high-quality content in multiple languages "because there is a demand."

The official state registry seems to confirm Vardanyan's claim. It shows no changes to the ownership records. The owners remain ex-HHK MP Samvel Farmanhyan, Mihran Hakobyan, Arman Saghatelyan, and Karen Bekanyan (together representing Karyak Media).

Hraparak published an update to their earlier report, claiming that the deal to sell Armnews fell through, that the original claims about the acquisition were exaggerated, and that nobody allegedly agreed to buy the outlet.

www.civilnet.am/news/648630/ռուբեն-վարդանյանը-արմնյուզ-ը-չի-գնել-լրատվամիջոցները-սխալ-էին/ https://web.archive.org/web/20220122083727/https://hraparak.am/post/2ffd4826a534245e7039c9fb8ec61a82

anti-corruption: trial against Merdzavan mayor accused of ֏8.6 damages in damages

The 1996-current mayor of Merdzavan is accused of forging land transaction documents, leading to ֏8.6m in damages to the community. The felony case has reached the court.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074503.html

update: no extradition for Macedonian diplomat accused of helping a North-South corruption suspect to flee Armenia

Mile Milenkovski represented North Macedonian in OSCE. Armenian authorities accused Milenkovski of helping a high-profile embezzlement suspect (reportedly Serj's fugitive brother) to escape Armenia in 2018.

Milenkovski was arrested while crossing the Serbian-Macedonian border last August. Armenia requested extradition.

The alleged "smuggling", in which Milenkovski and two other diplomats reportedly used a private jet, took place during a private trip to Armenia and involved two retired Macedonian diplomats. Milenkovski is a relative of Macedonia's ex-intel agency chief, who is currently in prison in Macedonia for abuse of power.

Several other Macedonian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian nationals, as well as a senior border inspector working at Yerevan's Zvartnots airport, were named as accomplices.

The lower court had earlier jailed Milenkovski, but he successfully appealed the ruling in a Serbian court and was freed. He won't be extradited.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/230409 https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/pj95od/news_sep62021_polls_did_you_vote_are_you/

people get weird while calling 911

An emergency operator recalls a story. Someone dialed 911 and began speaking in English. When the operator asked for the address, the caller used the Armenian language to ask a nearby person for the location. When asked why he speaks in English if he can say the same in Armenian, the caller responded "I'm a U.S. citizen."

Another smartass called 911 on New Year's Day and asked the dispatcher to pretend to be the Santa Claus for her child.

"Hayk Marutyan's Armenia"

Rescuers had to save a groom who got stuck in an elevator on his wedding day. He was headed to the bride's apartment. MAYBE IT'S A SIGN?

Emergency Ministry: fewer people called 911 last year

1.443 million emergency calls last year, down by 200k.

14.9k accidents reported, down from previous year.

6.6k fire reports, slightly up.

11 gas explosions killed 2 and injured 11 people.

911 emergency system is undergoing reforms

Rep.: A new emergency call management system is being implemented. It'll be fully digitized. When a call arrives, the computer will pop up a list of questions. The operator will choose and ask what's necessary. A unit(s) can be dispatched with one button.

Beginning April, it'll be possible to locate the caller.

Last year Pashinyan ordered the creation of an interagency taskforce to establish a unified emergency management network in Armenia. You'll call one number. It'll manage and redirect the call if necessary. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074538.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074548.html https://factor.am/470915.html https://youtu.be/5kecoQDbiMs https://youtu.be/iAn6VU0ZG7g

700 single-family houses are being built in rural Artsakh

Arayik Harutyunyan (the fiery one) visited villages Noragyugh, Hovsepavan, Astghashen, and Aygestan in the Askeran province. Separate housing construction is underway in these areas.

Instead of apartments, the IDPs will receive 700 houses. Each house comes with over 1,200 m^2 agricultural land. The residents can work in nearby new greenhouses and gardens.

The program, funded by state and donor resources, will complete in several phases. Some of it will be ready this year.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074566.html

real estate transactions have been rising

2010: 36,400

2017: 38,800

2018: 45,600

2019: 51,500

2020: 46,200

2021: 56,000

Foreign citizens participated in 8% of transactions.

Where were the most transactions last year? Yerevan 31%, Kotayk 18%, ...

Prices stayed almost the same in Yerevan, decreased in Syunik, increased in Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Artashat.

https://factor.am/471117.html

Covid stats

9658 tested. 3956 infected. 5276 healed. 4 deaths. 23.9k active.

postive COVID test ruins the plans for Armenian skier and coach ahead of Beijing Olympics

Everyone was required to test three days in a row before flying to Beijing. Skier Harutyun Harutyunyan, his coach, and skiing federation chief թառսի պես tested positive.

Federation chief: We won't be able to participate in the Olympics. Even if the tests return negative in a few days, there are flight issues. Olympic teams use charter flights; the last one was on Monday. We asked the international committee for help to get there by February 12, when the tournament begins. //

Three other Armenian skiers and two coaches are already in Beijing and will participate in the games.

The Olympic torch finally reached China today.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074512.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074537.html https://factor.am/470814.html

Armenian futsal team defeats Israel again in a friendly match

Israel 2-9 Armenia

Israel 0-3 Armenia

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/230460

autopsy rate for all deaths in Armenia is a whopping 90%, "the highest in a WHO study"

QP MPs drafted a bill to regulate the autopsy field and clarify licensing terms for 9 companies.

Author: WHO conducted a study in 53 countries. Armenia was ranked #1 with an autopsy rate.

2005: 34%

2007: 47%

2016: 72%

2019: 90%

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074532.html https://gateway.euro.who.int/en/indicators/hfa_545-6410-autopsy-rate-for-all-deaths/visualizations/#id=19640&tab=table

Ukraine update

Russia-West conflict continues over Ukraine. Donetsk forces accused Ukraine of firing 82mm shells last night.

Putin and Boris Johnson spoke. The former believes the West isn't taking Russia's concerns seriously.

French MFA visited Romania and spoke about the need to form a set of principles in Europe to deal with Russia and "restore the balance and relations".

NATO welcomed the U.S. decision to send more forces to Romania, Poland, and Germany.

U.S and EU are negotiating with Asian and African countries to supply gas through Ukraine as an alternative to Russia. Potential sources are Qatar, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Egypt, and Libya.

The EU is preparing a "massive" sanctions package against Russia if it invades Ukraine. It'll target "Russia's finance and energy sectors, and oligarchs close to Putin". Export of some products to Russia could be banned.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074533.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074594.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074592.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074590.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074588.html https://factor.am/471061.html

granddaughter of an Armenian man who saved Jews during Holocaust tells the story

In 2014, the Israeli Holocaust institute, Yad Vashem, honored Harutyun Khachatryan with the state title of "Righteous Among the Nations" for his humanitarian efforts to save Jewish residents during WW2. His granddaughter was invited to the Armenian Genocide Museum today.

Granddaughter: The war had just begun. Grandpa met a Jewish man named Կոգեն in a train and mistook him for Armenian. They had a short conversation. Grandpa would later save his life twice. They met several times in a concentration camp. He taught Կոգեն how to speak Armenian. Կոգեն would later write several testimonies that Khachatryan had saved his life. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074529.html https://asbarez.com/israel-honors-armenian-who-saved-jews/

today in history

1709: sailor named Alexander Selkirk is rescued from Más a Tierra island west of Chile. The event inspired the book "Robinson Crusoe". The island will later be renamed after the fictional character.

1848: American-Mexican war is over

1943: Germans are defeated in Stalingrad

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074492.html

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/sizmg9/daily_digest_222022_education_reforms_career/