2022 July 7

Daily news wrap-up

Jul/7/2022 news \\ Army reforms adopted, more bills to come \\ Draft deferment for students \\ Ferry cargo via Black Sea; Iran welcomes unblocking trade routes \\ New village to be built \\ "No insurance" penalty slashed \\ What happened during Yervanduni era? \\ Jesus Statue approved \\ and more
by ar_david_hh

---

15 minutes. 3819 words.

army reforms enter next stage, new bills to come soon, academy applications double amid news of new officer benefits

Get the context in [June 6](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/v6jge2/jun62022_daily_news_digest_major_army_reforms/) and [June 28](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vmwuh7/jun282022_news_expremiers_bombshell_interview/) digests: The army procurement processes will be handled by MOD instead of CoGS to reduce corruption; the CoGS will report to MOD while maintaining independence over army-related stuff; all academy graduates who choose officer's career will receive free apartments; reforms in aviation and other institutes; new training courses; etc.

This requires multiple legal amendments. The parliament summoned a session to discuss some of these reforms.

MOD Papikyan: Thanks for inviting me. We're going to meet a lot more often in the near future to discuss several bills. Today we'll take care of one of the most urgent issues relating to our officers' financial lives and their ability to maintain a family.

The adoption of the bill will provide 3-bedroom apartments in Yerevan for free, to officers who graduate from a military academy. The apartments will be worth up to $71k (28.5m). The first apartments will be distributed in 2026 to the students who are admitted to an academy this year. For example, a soldier from Meghri will receive an apartment in Yerevan and could generate a nice income by renting it out. Overall, we expect this to cost ֏12.5b annually ($31m).

QP Gagik Melkonyan: To this day, I still don't understand who the army commander was during the war. Every official avoided the responsibility. In the end, everything was blamed on Pashinyan. So who was managing the war, and after these new reforms when the CoGS becomes a deputy MOD, will the MOD become the army commander in time of war?

MOD Papikyan: Under the current and proposed laws, every official is responsible for carrying out their duties. The political responsibility is on MOD, but every official must be willing to do their duties. The new law clarifies the duties so we can avoid the 2020 problems.

MOD will have political oversight over the army and will manage the defense ministry and armed forces within the framework of main defense policy directions. CoGS also has duties when it comes to managing the army. Each position has its responsibilities.

We are constrained by the 2015 [present] Constitution. These amendments are done to the best of our abilities. To have a more clearly defined "vertical" management, we will need constitutional reforms. But even the existing Constitution allows the MOD to carry out its duties vertically.

QP MP Khachatryan: Our problem is that today we have a horizontal management structure in the army, instead of a vertical one. This leads to many problems. We've seen in 2016 and 2020 the gap between the CoGS and MOD. This is unacceptable and destructive to our country. The bill is meant to address this.

Additionally, CoGS will no longer handle "commercial" deals for armament tenders. These commercial purchases have always led to suspicion of corruption and actual corruption. Soldiers must only handle army stuff, not "business" or "politics". There are currently 8 various financial departments in MOD that handle purchases; their functions will be combined.

QP MP: If a young person studies abroad and wants to continue military service in Armenia, will they qualify for the apartment benefits?

MOD Papikyan: Yes, if their education abroad was organized through official Armenian channels. We have foreign partners (Greece, Russia) whose military academies currently train our students.

QP MP: Are the apartment benefits retroactive? Will the existing students get the benefits?

MOD Papikyan: No, but there will be large mortgage subsidies for the current students. Every year a lottery chooses 500 soldiers for mortgage benefits. The current academy students will "skip" this waiting line and get benefits without the lottery. For this year's 500 slots we had 1,013 applicants. Pashinyan issued an order to give apartments to the other 513 who are left out.

QP MP: We need the new officer benefits partially because the number of military academy applicants sharply dropped after 2011. In 2016 there were only 16 applicants. This was a horrifying statistic for our army. We need educated officers, and this reform is aimed at promoting the academy. I would also like NSS's border guards to receive the benefits.

MOD Papikyan: I support the inclusion of NSS border guards, but there are differences in contract terms [NSS officers 5 years, army officers 20 years] so it was impossible to include them in this bill. We will think about this. [They thought about it and decided to include NSS border guards, but they will need to sign a similar 20-year service agreement instead of 5.]

This bill will significantly improve the army's health. We are already seeing the first results. Compared to last year, we have double the number of applicants. This is just the beginning. By September we will have many more applicants.

In the future, when other reforms are implemented in Vazgen Sargsyan University and Aviation University [they will be merged], the quality of education, standards, and requirements will be significantly different. I urge the new applicants to be more enthusiastic about learning. Looking forward to seeing you in the academy.

MOD Papikyan: The bill will also amend the law to clarify certain procedures, peacekeeping rules, how a martial law or war/peace is declared, what to do if a parliamentary session cannot be held due to an emergency, reservist draft procedures, management of territorial defense forces (ashkharazor), [etc.](https://youtu.be/pgZ5Pylx8lY)

MOD Papikyan: Where is the opposition? We are adopting crucial reforms for our military today. They often criticize, but the talk is cheap. I recently declared an "engineering month". You are welcome to volunteer for engineering efforts. Go join the 3-month reservist retraining draft. You are an Armenian citizen, too. Don't complain about some of you being drafted for reservist retraining. Do it voluntarily. Don't ever call the army again [Seyran Ohanyan] and pressure them not to draft your activists. That's against the law. [Ohanyan said he wanted the clarify the reason some opposition members were summoned for retraining.] //

The parliament voted to approve the bills to distribute 3br apartments to academy graduates, change the command structure, procurement process, etc.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087669.html) [source,](https://youtu.be/vkPfWvk1c6g) [source,](https://factor.am/530647.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530661.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530833.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530839.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530858.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530868.html) [source,](https://factor.am/530874.html) [source,](https://youtu.be/0JKRcYYaavY) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087677.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087674.html) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301330/) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301341/) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/667107/պն-ն-միաձույլ-կառույց-դառնալու-անհրաժեշտություն-ունի-սուրեն-պապիկյան/) [source,](https://youtu.be/3j3PtBS75cU) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087749.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087756.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087757.html) [source,](https://factor.am/531219.html) [source,](https://youtu.be/gPs6ni4scj4) [more,](https://youtu.be/4FgLSsbBTCc) [more,](https://youtu.be/3riU7dOjlCc)

university students will be allowed to graduate before draft; the 1-year gap caused by transitioning from 10 to 12-year school will be closed

Minister: [In 2017](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/28870011.html) the law was amended to essentially deprive the students of the ability to receive continuous education. They were forced to join the army, except for a small group of olympiad medal winners. The alternative was to study in one of the top-50 universities listed on the Shanghai Ranking, only top universities and top majors would make you qualify.

Under the proposed reforms:

1) The Government will be allowed to provide a certain number of deferment slots to STEM students and specific universities.

2) Back in USSR it became a practice to draft male citizens aged 18-27. The school was 10 years at the time, so the student would graduate at the age of 17. The higher education was 5+3 years.

Today school is 12 years, so the student graduates at 19. Add to this the higher education's 4+2+3 years, and the student is now 28. So the university student had to be drafted during their 3rd year (age 27) without having the chance to graduate. The bill will delay their draft by another year, making 28 the new 27, thus allowing them to finish their education and defend the thesis.

This new deferment is an "investment". It should be targeted at solving certain profession shortages.

Pashinyan: We are essentially returning the deferment to universities, but partially. The number of deferment slots issued to universities and professions will depend on our priorities. The government will be able to impose additional requirements on who qualifies. This won't apply to this education year because it'll take time to implement it.

Minister: Well, this year's admission season is over anyway.

Pashinyan: All more so! The process went so "quiet" because there is no deferment system in place. Its abolishment led to less interest in universities because many students were joining universities just to avoid the draft.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087761.html) [more,](https://youtu.be/eJqY_0Xk-_g) [more,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087779.html) Tags: #EducationReform #deferment

Iran's national security council chief is in Armenia

Armen Grigoryan greeted his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani at the airport. The latter will meet ranking officials including Pashinyan.

They discussed doing trade through Iran's Chabahar port, the North-South international cargo route, territorial integrity, etc. The two security councils will meet again on the AM-IR border in Syunik.

Iran supports the efforts to unblock the communication routes in the region: Shamkhani

Shamkhani: We welcome the unblocking of infrastructure routes in the region. It should not impact country borders, threaten the sovereignty of countries, or change the geopolitical situation.

Pashinyan: We value the continuous development of friendly and brotherly relations with Iran. I am happy to report that we have managed to create a very good working atmosphere with President Raisi. Convey my greetings.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087737.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1087769.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087815.html)

Armenia will soon subsidize cargo exports to Russia via the Black Sea ferry as a substitute to the problematic Upper Lars land route, but not without a healthy amount of drama

As you already know, the government wants to pay Armenian businesses to use Georgia's Poti port to export goods to Russia, but the Dutch ferry company has sanctions against Russia.

If Armenia does not receive a sanctions waiver within the next few days, it will do business with a Philipino-run company [ICTSI] on the Batumi port instead. However, the Economy Ministry prefers the Dutch+Poti, so they hope the sanctions issue will be resolved by next week.

Upper Lars land checkpoint is still overloaded, resulting in damaged goods and reduced competitiveness of Armenian goods. Its capacity is expected to increase soon after recent negotiations between Armenia and Russia.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087765.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/wMaxOeKL-Qg)

implementation of [AM-TR agreements](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vs6yyc/jul52022_news_armeniaturkey_cargo_passenger/) depends on the efforts of respective agencies of Armenia and Turkey: Pashinyan

Pashinyan to cabinet: The special envoys reached an agreement to open the AM-TR border for 3rd country citizens, and to commerce direct air cargo trade between AM-TR. Now it's very important that our agencies work together to implement the political agreement.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1087745.html)

the government wants to renovate 2 tunnels to bring them to international standards

The Infrastructure Ministry will receive $32m (֏13.3b) for the implementation of several large programs:

▶︎ Kaps reservoir is being built. They need to pay the construction company ֏3.5b.

▶︎ Road construction in Yerevan's Argavand-Shirak and Babajanyan-Ashtarak directions. They need ֏4.1b to continue the process.

▶︎ There are a dozen roads with 135km length that require light repairs. They need ֏5.7b.

▶︎ A tender is launched to find a company to repair the Stepanavan and Dilijan tunnels so they meet international standards.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087748.html)

Armenian-Dutch chamber of commerce opens in Yerevan, after May's high-profile visits to boost trade & relations

Ambassador Schermers: From now on, this Chamber will also help with boosting trade. Armenia has agricultural potential, and as the world's second agricultural exporter, we can help Armenia. //

Businesses from both countries were present. They learned about financial, construction, IT, and other programs. Sona Dolbakyan, the head of the Dutch investment fund "Invest International" was also present.

[more,](https://factor.am/531516.html)

Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire

They used rifles to fire shots toward the Armenian positions and the nearby road leading to Yelpin village in Vayots Dzor. One civilian vehicle was damaged on the road. No injuries. Azeris stopped firing after the Armenian side applied countermeasures.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087818.html)

polls: Turkish opposition coalition is ahead of the ruling coalition

Survey by Pair among 11,000 participants: Ruling 35.1%, opposition 40.6% (excluding HDP with 11.2%)

Survey by Yöneylem among 2,700 participants: Ruling 35.3%, opposition 43.7% (without HDP's 10.4%)

The largest opposition party "CHP" has now overtaken the largest ruling party "AKP" by ~2%.

[source,](https://factor.am/530989.html)

Turkey should face international court over Yazidi genocide, report says

Investigation by group of prominent human rights lawyers also criticises Syria and Iraq.

>Turkey should face charges in front of the international court of justice for being complicit in acts of genocide against the Yazidi people, while Syria and Iraq failed in their duty to prevent the killings, an investigation endorsed by British human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy has said.

[continue](https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/jul/05/turkey-should-face-international-court-over-yazidi-genocide-report-says-helena-kennedy)

a new village will be built for the first time in the history of independent Armenia: Pashinyan

Pashinyan: An entire village [Jradzor, pop. 350] is being relocated to allow the construction of the Kaps reservoir. This is the first time we are building a new village from the ground up. It's important to implement a 21st-century model and introduce new urban culture, which will meet our modern expectations.

[video,](https://youtu.be/3w6yWtlF4Qc) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087764.html)

a historic church's wall is on the brink of collapse

Pashinyan: There is a need to strengthen the wall of St. Astvatsatsin church in Bjni. Support props were installed as an emergency measure to prevent a collapse. I instructed the Education Ministry to launch a process but it turns out there already was a plan to strengthen the wall, they just needed cash. We need to do this ASAP.

There is one big problem: the church is surrounded by trees and the road leading to it has a steep slope. This road also needs renovation. It's used by tourists.

We're currently renovating a portion of Bjni-Hrazdan road that had been abandoned for several decades. This should significantly improve the tourism flow between Aghveran and Tsakhkadzor. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087751.html)

the new statue of Jesus Christ will help promote tourism in Armenia: Pashinyan

Pashinyan: We gave a preliminary positive assessment to the project proposed by Gagik Tsarukyan, who wants the new statue to be installed on top of Mt. Hatis [6km northeast of Abovyan, 12km northeast of Yerevan]. The statue will increase tourists' interest in Armenia. Relevant government agencies will discuss the proposal and give their opinion.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087755.html)

government cancels Gagik Tsarukyan's casino's pandemic-era "debt" after a court battle, and the desire to restore the tax-generating cash cow's operations

Tsarukyan's Onira Club casino is supposed to pay operational fees. The government introduced COVID restrictions in 2020, temporarily prohibiting certain types of commercial activities. Onira Club did not pay the fees, citing its inability to operate.

However, the tax authorities expected them to pay, and suspended their license after not receiving the payment. The company sued and scored a partial victory against the tax authority. Today the government officially canceled the "debt".

Pashinyan: The government will "pay" the outstanding balance to the tax authority. We are essentially canceling the debt. By doing so, the company will get its license back, operate, and begin paying millions of dollars in taxes again.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087779.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/x6cZUvS-E18)

the presence of statues of mafiosos in certain settlements is an insult to the state: Pashinyan

Pashinyan: Some criminal subculture figures have their statues installed in the settlements of Armenia. I won't give names, I won't stir the pot, but this is an anti-state practice.

Also, it's unacceptable to install a khachkar along the highway every time someone dies from an accident. Are we going to turn the entire thing into a graveyard with khachkars, some of which have nothing to do with Christian values? It's better to focus on proper road safety and driving etiquette. Don't hesitate to remove the illegally installed objects from road shoulders, if necessary.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087778.html)

Freedom House welcomes the fact that heavy insults are no longer a felony in Armenia under the new Criminal Code

[source,](https://factor.am/531590.html)

parliament approves the bill to slash the size of the penalty for not having car insurance

It'll reduce from ֏100k to ֏50k. The amount was disproportionate to the nature and the degree of danger of the offense, said a ruling QP MP.

If the driver provides proof of insurance within 24 hours of the offense, the penalty is reduced to ֏25k.

[video,](https://youtu.be/J_zqyMDRnYs) [source,](http://arka.am/en/news/society/armenian_parliament_halves_the_size_of_penalty_for_lack_of_car_insurance_policy/) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1085920.html) [source,](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/301334/)

export of animal hide will be restricted for 6 months to boost the domestic industry

Government: Export of sheep/horse/etc. raw skin will be prohibited until next year to boost the domestic leather processing industry and reduce reliance on imports.

A similar ban was imposed last year. It resulted in Armenian companies purchasing and processing 628 tons of domestic skin. Domestic processing increased 4x, and the number of jobs grew. They did not import any raw skin.

This, in turn, has led domestic shoe manufacturers to use domestic leather. In the end, almost all of the domestic raw skin was consumed. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087779.html)

the full list of programs approved by the Government during the Thursday session

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087779.html)

anti-corruption: no honor among thieves

ACC reports: A citizen's relative was thinking about getting a driver's license. The citizen's friend offered his assistance to buy the license from a cop, if they could give him ֏150,000, which he promised to transfer to the cop. The citizen trusted him and gave the intended bribe.

The intermediary came back and said he would need another ֏120,000 to bribe the second cop. The քյալ citizen paid the second intended bribe as well.

In reality, the intermediary never intended to help the citizen, and didn't know anyone at the police department. He simply stole ֏270,000.

Both idiots have been charged with crimes. They confessed. The case is in court. Happy ending.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087747.html)

ARF's media outlet Yerkir Media is fined for airing profanity and the infamous soap opera episode that raised the ire of some Christians

You can read the context about the scandalous soap opera, Jesus episode, and the subsequent drama in Los Angeles in [June 27 digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vm91yv/jun272022_news_new_nuclear_plant_could_be_3x/).

Today the TV regulator summoned a session to discuss Yerkir Media's kerfuffle. They wrote a $970 fine.

▶︎ The outlet issued an apology for airing the profanity, citing their inability to filter out the language during the live broadcast.

▶︎ The regulator found that the scandalous soap opera episode violates the public broadcasting ethics rules.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087814.html)

Armenia's train ridership increased by 22%: South Caucasus Railway

220k people traveled in H1 of this year.

Internal: 205k (+15%)

Georgia: 15k (5x vs 2020)

▶︎ The Yerevan-Gyumri express trains are especially busy on Friday-Sunday. The traffic has doubled. A few new wagons were purchased last year to provide modern conditions.

▶︎ The railway company is cooperating with municipalities to optimize road infrastructure in a way to promote railway ridership. There are also plans to organize more festivals near train stations.

[source,](https://factor.am/531196.html)

tourism grew in H1

2016: 530k

2019: 771k

2020: ---

2021: 206k

2022: 514k

[approximate, original source:](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/07/07/Նախնական-տվյալներով՝-2022թ-հունիս-ամսին-Հայաստան-է-այցելել-129-908-զբոսաշրջիկ-Քերոբյան/756433)

number of citizens applying for ID card skyrockets

You [already know](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/vparca/jul12022_news_sending_stray_dogs_to_guard_borders) that the passport department is completely overloaded because of the abnormally high number of people applying to become Armenian citizens. There is a similar situation with ID cards.

2021: 98,000 ID cards issued

2022 H1 alone: 105,000

The number of citizenships granted for "exceptional services" was risen from 9 in all of 2021, to 14 in H1 2022.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087762.html) Tag /u/musaler

bill approved: solitary confinement won't be used as a punishment against juveniles and feeding mothers

▶︎ Prohibits the use of this cell as a disciplinary tool against juveniles and feeding mothers.

▶︎ Clarifies the legal rights of inmates on their right to receive psychological support.

▶︎ Inmates who commit self-harm won't be punished.

▶︎ Sick inmates will no longer be taken to the punishment cell unless doctors confirm the treatment is over.

The parliament voted to approve the Government's bill.

[source,](https://factor.am/530825.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087666.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087760.html)

In 2019 healthcare became free for citizens under 18. Has the universal coverage helped them?

Before the 2019 reform, only the 0-7 group and low-income 7-18 group qualified for free care. Now everyone under 18 does.

Healthcare Ministry official: This includes ambulatory-polyclinic care to control a healthy child's growth and development with periodic preventative visits and an immunization process.

There are efforts toward the early detection of developmental abnormalities and autism. The purpose of carrying out these screenings in large numbers is to detect the problem early because we know that early diagnosis makes the treatment more effective.

The package includes free or subsidized medication, for treatment or preventative reasons.

Expensive diagnostics are also covered. For example, if a child is hospitalized with suspected pneumonia, they can receive an MRI, X-Ray, blood analysis, C-reactive protein test, etc.

The decision to make the services free for anyone under 18 has led to positive results. In the past, we've seen many instances when parents of a >7yo child would learn about a diagnosis but take no action because of financial constraints.

Dental care is an exception. It's only free for 0-7, and low-income 7-18 groups.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087733.html)

1929 video of Thomas Edison (the real one) discussing his experiments

Edison: It is a great reward for me and my colleagues and co-workers, many of them still living, that we have survived to see the fruits of our labors.

[video,](https://youtu.be/PO26W0MdHQs)

mega superstar Henrikh Mkhitaryan participated in his first training session with Inter

Mkhitaryan recently transferred from Roma to Inter after the expiration of his contract. The previous news digest erroneously suggested he was "sold" to Inter.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087752.html)

Armenian and French archaeologists have been working on the ancient Erebuni site since 2008. Have they found anything?

Today the French ambassador visited the reserve museum to learn about the progress and discuss cooperation with the museum.

Director Badalyan: The work was focused on the monumental center of the fortress, the Urartian temples, and the great colonnade.

Last year we continued the work on the square in front of the temple to the god Iubsha [aka Ivarsha]. This allowed us to learn about its condition in the 8th or 7th B.C.

One of the most important goals is to better understand the transitional period from Urartian to the Achaemenid era, which goes through the Yervanduni (Orontid) period. This is a very little studied yet very interesting period for us.

This is the second year we have been able to match our budget with the French researchers. Armenian experts have joined the efforts, which is very important. At one point we have to make a decision about when to stop the excavations and begin the protection and development of whatever has been found.

Participating in this project was our French colleagues' dream because not everyone has access to this site. This is our national treasure that we must cherish. The program will end this year. Next year we will decide whether to continue or to stop and launch the preservation efforts.

French archaeologist: There is one century that is completely dark for us, during the transition from Urartu to Achaemenid. This could coincide with the formation of the first Armenian kingdom if we rely on the hypothesis of Moses Khorenatsi.

[photos and article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1087763.html) [source,](https://www.aravot.am/2021/07/28/1206914/)

in case you missed

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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/vts05x/jul72022_news_army_reforms_adopted_more_bills_to/