2022 July 28

Daily news wrap-up

Your Thursday news digest from Armenia. Jul/28/2022.
by ar_david_hh

---

14 minutes. 3584 words.

government approves 2030 education reform bill

Government: The "2030 Education Development Program" is the first such bill adopted since 2011. Its main goal is to develop human capital. No child should be left out of the compulsory education system. The 3 directions are:

▶︎ Universal inclusive active-learning environment

▶︎ Increasing effectiveness of education.

▶︎ Internationalization and export of education services.

Every enlarged municipality will have preschool services. 95% of children aged 3-5 will have preschool education. Every school will have the proper equipment, furniture, labs, and workshops.

Today Armenian students spend 12 years learning 8.3 years' worth of knowledge. This will increase to ~11.5 years.

The students will have sufficient information in Armenian language and literature, world literature, and at least 2 foreign languages.

Not a single high-performing student should be deprived of the ability to receive professional education because of poverty. In general, education should be accessible to every citizen in their place of residence. This is why we are building hundreds of new schools and kindergartens.

This is a fraction of what's included in the bill. More will be discussed after it enters parliament for debate. //

it appears Pashinyan was serious about creating an "Academic City" in Armenia

Last year the PM entertained the idea of creating a new education city/district with new facilities, citing Armenia's aging and insufficient education infrastructure.

Education Ministry later last year: We are determined to implement this idea. The institutes must have modern classrooms, dormitories, sports and food centers, libraries, leisure areas, etc. This will require large investments. //

Last month Armenia sent a delegation to Qatar. Among other things they discussed Qatar's education infrastructure and invited Qatari officials to visit Armenia.

Education Ministry today: The creation of a modern Academic City is part of our 2030 reforms. It will establish a network of cooperation between educational, scientific, and industrial organizations.

It's also expected to double the number of foreign students in Armenia from the current 7,600.

Deputy PM: The Academic City's physical infrastructure and content should set new standards not only for Armenia but also be accessible to our diasporan compatriots and foreign students.

government will create several publicly funded universities as part of 2030 education reforms

Education Ministry: We plan to establish internationally acceptable universal licensing and certification standards for all universities of Armenia, in accordance with their infrastructure, total area, management, and other criteria.

It is planned to create a fair competitive field for universities, and a unified management system.

Special attention will be paid to the curriculum, based on the demand in the job market. We plan to introduce educational programs that fulfill the requirements of the modern labor market. The list of professions will be revised.

It is expected that every graduate will have internationally-recognized professional qualifications in line with the job market demands, enabling 90% of the graduates to find a decent job, or create a job, within their profession shortly after graduation.

State universities and scientific-research institutes must consolidate to ensure higher research quality and competitiveness. We will create 5-8 universities where the education will be funded by the state, without ruling out the possibility of paid education.

Other universities will receive state assistance to become more competitive internationally. As a result, by 2030 we should have at least 4 universities listed in the top 500 best universities of the world.

To encourage continuous education, we will have a credit transfer system for formal and non-formal education. A registry will be created for non-formal education.

Arts, sports, and music schools will have universal standards.

Diasporans will have new opportunities to study, including remotely. Diasporan education centers will be better integrated into Armenia's education system.

You may think it'll be too difficult to implement all of this within the next 8 years, but we've already laid the groundwork in many areas with extensive efforts in the past 4 years. //

youth centers of education & activism open in Ejmiatsin and Armavir

Education Ministry: The centers were founded with the help of UNICEF (Japan), Armenian NGOs, and municipalities. They will help us achieve the 2030 goal of ensuring access to education at all stages of life.

700 children will use these centers to explore their potential, develop a civil attitude, and increase civic activism. They can gather here, discuss issues and find solutions, and receive non-formal education. //

[watch the rest,](https://youtu.be/nfQuvfevpHs?t=653) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089160.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1089160.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089166.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089172.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089205.html)

Tags: #EducationReforms #AcademicCity #Universities

French-Armenian diaspora org leader, accused of organizing the attack on premier's motorcade, will sue NSS to regain right to enter Armenia

Murad Papazian and several others are barred from entering Armenia for allegedly organizing the 2021 physical attack on Pashinyan's motorcade in France. [Context in July 22 digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w5k1ip/your_friday_news_digest_from_armenia_jul222022/).

Papazian denied the accusations. He hired ARF MP Artsvik Minasyan and a lawyer to represent him. They sent a letter to NSS urging them to lift the ban.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089159.html) [read,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w5k1ip/your_friday_news_digest_from_armenia_jul222022/)

government allocates ֏850m to build new hospitals

Healthcare Ministry: We plan to rebuild and build several medical centers. This includes the National Center for Infectious Diseases, and medical centers in Vagharshapat and Ashtarak.

Entirely new buildings are planned for Artashat, Lori's Tashir, and Kotayk's Nairi medical centers.

They will come with modern equipment and furniture, as part of the efforts to ensure equal development of provinces.

Plans to rebuild another 6 medical centers will be drafted later this year. This is part of our promise to rebuild and re-equip 50 medical centers. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089176.html)

Armenia wants to destroy hepatitis by 2030

Healthcare Ministry: The goal is to drastically decrease cases by 2030 with the help of better healthcare.

We've been providing free Hep C medication to patients since 2020. To ensure the continuity of the program, new procedures for treating patients were adopted recently. 517 patients received treatment for Hep C this year.

Armenians have been vaccinating against Hep B since 1999. Thanks to this, no cases of acute Hep B are being registered among children under 14. However, there is no vaccine against Hep C.

Hepatitis can be transmitted through sexual activity, blood and drug use, surgeries, body piercing, while getting your nails done (rare), etc.

Get tested regularly because you might not have symptoms at first. The treatment is more effective if detected early. We periodically organize anonymous screening campaigns across Armenia. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089152.html)

0 monkeypox cases have been recorded in Armenia so far

Russia recently sent a batch of test kits to Armenia. All the tests have so far been negative, said Minister Avanesyan.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089165.html)

Japanese monkey gang leader is killed after a string of attacks in a southern town

A gang of macaque monkeys has been attacking residents of Yamaguchi (580mi from Tokyo). Experts were able to corner the gang leader in a property belonging to a high school. The ape was tranquilized and killed after a tense standoff. The authorities were able to identify him with photo evidence provided by witnesses.

The authorities fear the elimination of the gang leader won't stop the gang operations. The routine patrols will continue until every member is hunted down, announced the chief superintendent.

[read,](https://www.thedailybeast.com/japanese-monkey-gang-leader-killed-after-dozens-of-vicious-attacks-on-locals) [read,](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/monkey-killed-japan-attacks-yamaguchi-macaques-rcna40176)

69yo Japanese man is arrested after cops realize he's been driving without a license for the past 50 years

"F--k this," said [Mr. Matsumoto](https://youtu.be/fbcnLLmZ6sg?t=1) several decades ago after failing the exam for the 6th time. He got caught this week only because of rear-ending someone, causing $2,913 in damages to the motorist.

[read,](https://news.yahoo.com/69-old-man-arrested-tokyo-232044258.html)

interview with economy minister Kerobyan about opening the border with Turkey & Azerbaijan, Armenia's shift away from mining, and new railway logistics

Reporter: Critics claim the opening of the border will flood the market with Turkish goods and bring large-scale investments, which could have a political effect. What does your research say?

Kerobyan: Our goal is to have long-term peace in the region, which is one of the prerequisites of building a strong economy and attracting serious investments into our country.

International research shows that unblocking our borders will lead to 30% economic growth in Armenia within a short period.

Reporter: Do you agree with that number?

Kerobyan: We are always conducting research in this area, but yes, that number looks accurate.

Reporter: 30% growth in how many years?

Kerobyan: 2-3 years, just by opening the communication routes. As for the concerns, we share those concerns, we see the Turkish capital's effect on various other countries. Obviously, we are going to implement protection mechanisms.

Reporter: Excellent. What about Turkish investments? In the past, they traveled from Kars to Gyumri to study textile industry opportunities but it didn't lead to anything. Is Armenia ready to allow Turkish investors today?

Kerobyan: Do you believe there is a "ban" on Turkish investments today?

Reporter: No?

Kerobyan: No, of course. Turkish citizens [mostly ethnic Armenians] have been investing in Armenia, buying properties. It's another thing that the Turkish market is banned for Armenian citizens and businesses. We will be the primary beneficiary of new opportunities with the unblocking of borders. Turks can already invest in Armenia.

Reporter: Pashinyan and Erdogan spoke over the phone about opening the borders and allowing some border travel. Tell us more.

Kerobyan: Economy ministry is not yet involved, the efforts are led by the foreign ministry and Ruben Rubinyan so far, but we expect our tourism committee to begin the works soon.

Reporter: There are rumors that Armenia-Turkey air cargo transfers have already begun.

Kerobyan: Not yet, but soon. We already have passenger transfers. It won't be difficult to organize the cargo.

Reporter: Are there companies willing to transfer cargo?

Kerobyan: We are in the early stages so there is no significant demand yet, partly because we already trade with Turkey via Georgia via land.

Reporter: What about opening Armenia-Azerbaijan communication links?

Kerobyan: It will lead to a stronger economy if we can trade with Azerbaijan as we do with Georgia. Our businesses will have access to Turkey's and Azerbaijan's 100-million economies. Every country will benefit.

Reporter: Today people make a scene after discovering Azeri apples in an Armenian market.

Kerobyan: Do you see a difference between the Turkish tomatoes people eat today, and the Azeri apples?

Reporter: I personally don't, but the public might decide not to buy Azeri products, and Azeris might decide not to buy Armenian products.

Kerobyan: That's exactly how it's going to be initially, but history shows that it changes over time, and the trade brings prosperity.

Reporter: Should Armenia invest $200m into the railway link with Azerbaijan?

Kerobyan: You are aware that we are in the process of establishing regular ferry trade between Georgia's Poti and Russia's Kavkaz/Novorossiysk ports. This essentially means Armenia's railway network connects to the Eurasian railway network. It's impossible to develop the economy without a regular port or railway connection. To have serious industrial growth in Armenia, we must establish these logistics chains. The railway network is absolutely mandatory for our heavy industry. Without it it's impossible.

So our focus is today on the Poti-Kavkaz ferry, and with the launch of the Armenia-Azerbaijan railway, we will gain access to Central Asia, Iran, and Russia.

The opening of the Yeraskh railway hub will give us access almost to Bandar Abbas (a southern port city in Iran), once Iran builds the missing part. This way we establish a railway link from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea.

This is especially important because today we're in the process of establishing the "dry port" in Gyumri. It will have an industrial park. This will significantly increase the industry's share in the GDP.

Reporter: What about the Gyumri-Kars railway?

Kerobyan: Too early to tell, but we would be happy to have that as well.

Reporter: Tell us about the economy today.

Kerobyan: A very strong growth in Q1 and H1. The risks are high, but our international colleagues agree that we are going a great job managing it. Armenia's processing industry rose by 40%.

If a few years ago 60% of our exports were raw mining materials, then today its share has dropped to 30%. We have already changed the structure of our economy. We are shifting away from a mining economy, and moving towards a more high-tech and industry.

Last year Armenia saw record investments at ֏1.430 trillion ($3.5b). We predict a higher number this year.

Reporter: Why did agriculture shrink in H1?

Kerobyan: Data coming from agriculture is unreliable because it is not digitized. It relies primarily on reports by cooperatives. There were some methodology discrepancies after the merger of communities, which contributes to inaccurate numbers. Today we are working on a new bill to digitize agricultural stats. In any case, the agricultural export and other data prove that the branch actually grew in H1. //

[watch,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7DogCBehdE) Tags: #railways #communication

justice minister provides an update on the constitutional reform process

Andreasyan: The 5 members of the expert commission are currently traveling through provinces to conduct meetings and uncover all issues that need to be addressed by the new Constitution.

They will present the findings to the reform council starting in September, during the live-streamed sessions. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089163.html)

police solve a 2-year-old case of an unidentified person detonating a grenade in a backyard

Police: No one was injured during the 2020 incident in Sevan. It turns out a 32yo man got into a domestic argument and threatened to blow up his wife and child. He pulled the grenade pin but threw it in his neighbor's backyard instead. [That'll teach them to be quiet.] The man has turned himself in and confessed. //

[read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/241536)

anti-corruption: SSS audit uncovers alleged multi-million $ abuse at Yerevan municipality

State Supervision Service: We investigated the city's 2011-2018 and 2018-2022 activities.

In 2018-2022 we found ֏8.5b in violations in the areas of road construction, design works, fuel subsidies for municipality workers, funding for foreign trips, public transport, etc.

▶︎ պետական բյուջեից Երևանի քաղաքապետարանին տրամադրվող դոտացիայի հաշվարկման հիմք հանդիսացող տեղեկատվությունը՝ գույքահարկի և հողի հարկի բազային տվյալները պակաս են ներկայացվել շուրջ 7.1 միլիարդ ՀՀ դրամի չափով

▶︎ Over 5,000 vehicles were not properly registered in databases, depriving the city of ֏331m in taxes. Dozens of vehicles were sold without paying off tax liabilities.

▶︎ Hundreds of repossessed vehicles were sold through forced auctions, but the city agents took no steps to collect ֏125m in taxes.

▶︎ The city wasted ֏543m on road construction that wasn't completed properly.

The 2011-2018 audit has revealed:

▶︎ ֏7.3b in land transaction violations.

▶︎ etc.

The investigation continues. The findings have been sent to prosecutors. //

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089186.html)

foreign minister Mirzoyan met Russia's OSCE Minsk Group representative

Mirzoyan and Igor Khovaev discussed the efforts to normalize AM-AZ relations and issues relating to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of using the OSCE MG and its international mandate.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089214.html)

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire on borders with Artsakh and Armenia

Artsakh govt: Yesterday and today, Azeri troops fired shots towards the Taghavard, Tonashen, and Karmir Shuka communities and Armenian positions. No injuries on the Armenian side. The peacekeepers are investigating it.

A resident of Karmir Shuka discovered [8 bullets](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089201.html) in his backyard. A shot was fired into his apartment. The Azerbaijani leadership continues to pursue a policy of hatred and ethnic cleansing. //

[photos,](https://factor.am/538559.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089170.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089185.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089188.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089201.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089219.html)

corrupt Azeri generals are operating illegal cattle breeding business in occupied territories of Nagorno Karabakh, instead of "rebuilding" it, according to Azeri media

Azeri authorities have arrested a journalist and threatened several others after they uncovered alleged corruption deals involving ranking army officials.

The prosecutors accused the journalists of discrediting the military, weakening state security, and intentionally agitating the public.

The reporters accused the generals of using stolen cattle to run a business in the occupied territories.

[read,](https://factor.am/538357.html)

Russian collector donates the legendary Armenian admiral Isakov's personal belongings to the Republic of Armenia | PHOTO

Hovhannes Ter-Isahakyan, aka Ivan Isakov, was a Soviet-era admiral.

Collector Dmitry Khmelyov: I'm donating Admiral's personal belongings from my personal collection to the Mother Armenia Museum of the Armenian MOD.

Armenia's ambassador: Thank you. It's very important to preserve the memory of renowned figures and heroes of the Armenian and Russian nations. //

The ceremony of the transfer was held on Wednesday. The items include photographs, congratulatory telegrams from USSR Hero Semyon Budyonny, Hero Hovhannes Baghramyan, and others.

[see,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1089155.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089155.html)

this week in "tourists go missing after deciding to hike in Armenian forests"

A group of Russians entered the forests near Vanadzor and couldn't get out. Emergency teams were dispatched. They found them.

[read,](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/436680)

cameras captured a group of bezoar goats in Arpa reserve | VIDEO

[watch,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=748163986267500)

real estate prices continue to climb amid record activity

The number of property transactions in the first half of...

2016: 59k

2017: 60k

2018: 76k

2019: 84k

2020: 72k

2021: 91k

2022: 96k (including 2.4k by foreigners)

The most active were Yerevan and Kotayk.

Within Yerevan, the most active districts were Kentron, Arabkir, Bangladesh, ..., Nubarashen.

Apartment prices in Yerevan have increased by 15% on average, and by 25% in Kentron.

Property prices in each district: Kentron ֏717k, Arabkir ֏508k, Zeytun ֏374k, ..., Nubarashen 198k.

[read,](https://factor.am/538312.html)

a group of Artsakh refugees and locals protested against the rising housing prices in Yerevan

Grigoryan Sargis Gagiki: Landlords and stupid prospective tenants are contributing to this abomination. Some desperate tenants are offering to pay $500/mo.

Reporter: Can you give some context?

Sargis: The rent is too damn high, sis jan. It has climbed to $500 because of Russians and Iranians. Why isn't the state dropping a hammer on their ["predatory landlords"] heads. I can't even buy a house with a mortgage.

Reporter: How much is your rent?

Sargis: Nothing. I was paying $200. They kicked me out a month ago to give the apartment to foreigners for $500. Their eviction excuse was "we are renovating the apartment". Cops should investigate so evicted tenants won't rise up and commit crimes against the landlords.

Reporter: Why are you in front of the government building today?

Sargis: We will submit a petition to ask them to find a solution. Either control the prices, slap a few landlords, or give us mortgage subsidies. I fought for this country.

Reporter: Did you have a contract with your now-former landlord?

Sargis: No.

Reporter: Why not?

Sargis: I don't know. Maybe it didn't cross my mind at the time. I lived there for 4 years.

Reporter: You can't find any apartment now?

Sargis: There is nothing under $370. Qare traqi $320. Why do the diasporan landlords, who live abroad, raise the prices for us locals so much? We live here and protect this country so you can live in your Europes and rip us off remotely?

Reporter: Where was your apartment?

Sargis: Bangladesh. I sleep in my workshop now. Wife and kids have moved with in-laws.

A woman: Dear Pashinyan. We supported you, so now it's your turn to support us. We need help with the mortgage. The landlord hasn't evicted me, that's not why I'm here today, but I can't buy my own place. The banks demand an excessive >$1,000/mo salary and a 10% downpayment. If I don't have that, am I supposed to rent for the rest of my life? I want my "monthly rent" to go towards my own house. It would be great if the state could dedicate a small affordable district for us.

Another woman: The rent is too high. If we are going to pay this much, we might as well pay towards a mortgage, but it's not accessible to us. We need the state's support. Very often landlords themselves fraudulently post fake Facebook comments supposedly seeking an apartment for $500, so they can use that to bargain and artificially raise the prices. [Is this even legal, if true? 🤔]

Reporter: There are Facebook groups where people search for an apartment and offer upwards of $600.

Woman: I don't believe it's posted by real people. Brokers are in it.

[continue watching,](https://youtu.be/Iu8uu4WhZuk) [read,](https://factor.am/538297.html)

additional 500 soldiers will receive mortgage subsidies this year

The Government recently approved army reforms to give free apartments to every future military academy graduate. Today's ruling applies to the "previous" generation (officers, contractors) who don't qualify for the next-gen aid.

MOD Papikyan earlier: Every year a lottery chooses 500 soldiers for mortgage benefits. Since the current academy students don't qualify for the next-gen aid, and it would be unfair to leave them without assistance, we decided to allow them to receive mortgage aid without the need to go through the lottery system. For this year's 500 subsidy slots we had 1,000 applicants. Pashinyan issued an order to give mortgage aid to the other 500 as well.

MOD today: With today's ruling, everyone who applied for mortgage aid this year will receive one. We will prioritize existing military academy students.

Deputy PM: The subsidy includes 10% of the principal and 3% of the interest rate.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089154.html) [watch,](https://youtu.be/nfQuvfevpHs?t=286) [read,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vts05x/jul72022_news_army_reforms_adopted_more_bills_to/)

today in history

1937: French-Armenian filmmaker [Francis Veber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Veber) is born.

1942: Germany is advancing. Stalin orders those who retreat to be executed, gulaged, or sent to penal battalions (shtrafbats).

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1089136.html) [read,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_28)

in case you missed

Yesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh here

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

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/wajlae/your_thursday_news_digest_from_armenia_jul282022/