2022 September 12

Daily news wrap-up

Sep/12/2022 news digest from Armenia.
by ar_david_hh

---

17 minutes, 4219 words.

diplomatic news

▶︎ Armenia's special envoy Ruben Rubinyan hosted Minsk Group's U.S. representative Philip Reeker, shared details about the efforts to normalize the AM-TR relations, and emphasized the importance of implementing the recently reached agreements as soon as possible. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092116.html)

▶︎ Pashinyan met Philip Reeker and U.S. ambassador Lynne Tracy, emphasized the important role played by the U.S. in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and urged for the speedy resumption of OSCE Minsk Group negotiations. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092128.html)

▶︎ Philip Reeker concluded his Armenia trip after meeting Pashinyan, FM Mirzoyan, SC Armen Grigoryan, and Rubinyan. He reaffirmed US's readiness to continue with the efforts to achieve a stable, prosperous, and democratic South Caucasus. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092136.html)

▶︎ Defense Minister Papikyan concluded his U.S. trip after visiting the military pantheon in Arlington, Virginia. [video,](https://youtu.be/2-VwTuOO5Xg?t=9) [context of his visit ICYM,](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/xa6l2u/sep92022_armenia_overtakes_georgia_in_fraser/)

Azerbaijan is preparing the ground for new border provocations: Ambassador-ar-large Edmon Marukyan

Marukyan: That's the reason they have been regularly publishing false reports in recent weeks about alleged ceasefire violations by the Armenian side. All relevant actors and the international community should follow these events very closely and realize that once again Azerbaijan has launched a preparatory phase of provocations.

[read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092178.html)

Azerbaijan fired shots toward civilian settlements in Nagorno Karabakh

The ceasefire was violated for 30 minutes this morning in the direction of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard villages. The bullets struck 2 civilian houses. One of them entered an apartment where a family was sleeping. They woke up to the sound. A larger caliber weapon was fired toward Taghavard.

Azerbaijan continues the policy of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh, said the Human Rights Ombudsman. They are gathering the evidence.

[read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092201.html)

Developing: Azerbaijan launches an attack on Armenia border with the use of artillery and drones

Armenian MOD: Starting at 12:05 am, the Azeri troops began to use artillery, large caliber weapons, and drones toward the Armenian positions in Goris, Sotk, and Jermuk.

Azeri MOD: There are heavy battles on the border. We have losses.

[read](https://factor.am/553098.html) [read](https://factor.am/553088.html)

U.S. announces $2 million in demining assistance for the South Caucasus

State Department: "To promote regional peace and cooperation, the United States is pleased to announce $2,000,000 for humanitarian demining operations in areas affected by the fall 2020 intensive fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the South Caucasus. Landmines and unexploded ordnance across the conflict zone continue to kill and maim civilians, block economic development, and impede the safe return of displaced communities.

Building on the $500,000 announced in November 2021, new U.S. funding will continue to strengthen the technical capacity of demining organizations to clear deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance. These efforts play a critical role bolstering human security and enabling displaced communities to return to their homes and rebuild their lives safely."

[read](https://www.state.gov/2-million-in-new-u-s-humanitarian-demining-assistance-for-the-south-caucasus/)

Azerbaijan's recent pro-Russian activities can harm the relations with the West: Azeri analyst

Analyst Orujlu: Azerbaijan recently signed a [North-South corridor agreement with Russia](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/w8usew/tuesday_news_summary_from_armenia_jul262022/) and Iran. Baku hosted a military expo, the main guest of which was Russia's RosOboronExport. Such close ties may not leave the West indifferent, and it can eventually lead to sanctions.

The U.S. has been lately showing a negative response to Azerbaijan's policies. Blinken has appointed a Minsk Group co-chair, while France has allocated aid to Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. This could be in response to Azerbaijan's pro-Russian policies.

It was a stupid decision to hold the expo to advertise Russian weapons. The world sees the true value of Russian weapons in Ukraine. Even the Chinese have joined the sanctions against Russia.

Then suddenly we see Baku advertise the weapons that Moscow is currently using against Kyiev. What was the administration thinking? They don't have a foreign policy doctrine. They only respond to situational changes, while trying to be friends with everyone. Turkey is a powerful state and can afford this, but Azerbaijan cannot. Aliyev could not even prevent [Artsakh FM David Babayan] from visiting the U.S. to meet Congress members, and this is a message from the U.S. to Azerbaijan.

Consider the recent invasion of the Azerbaijani embassy in London [and subsequent accusations of inaction by authorities and "allowed" the occupation to continue]. But since the Aliyev administration does not get the message, I won't rule out that one day this will escalate to sanctions. //

[read](https://factor.am/552887.html)

infrastructure projects

A new drinking water network is being built in Lanjik (Shirak) for ֏154m, as part of a state subsidy program. The state inspectors recently uncovered flaws in the new network and instructed the construction firms to correct them.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092151.html)

Sew sidewalks and street lighting network will be built in 6 communities of Gegharkunik. The government has allocated ֏71m during today's session.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092203.html)

Chakqar's culture center is being renovated for the first time in decades. The crews will strengthen the base and walls, and renovate the rooms and windows. The state and local governments are financing the ֏80m project.

[see,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092205.html)

several streets in Martuni (Gegharkunik) will have new sidewalks. The crews are installing plates and repairing 3.5 kilometers of sidewalks on 6 streets. The government has allocated ֏318m. The crews will also renovate several streets.

[see,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092210.html)

public transit reforms in Gyumri

Gyumri municipality says it will optimize the public transport network by reducing the number of routes from 9 to 7 and extending some of the routes to maintain the coverage. Some of the newly purchased 66 minibusses are already in use.

The municipality expects the government to acquire 5 electric buses and 25 additional minibusses.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092152.html)

Gyumri is one of the most affordable tourism destinations: tourism agency

Tour operator: According to our estimates, around 60%-70% of tourists in Gyumri are from Yerevan. This year we've seen an activation from Kapan and Tavush.

In the early months of this year, there was a spike in visitors from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus for obvious reasons. After visiting Yerevan, they realized that Gyumri was a more affordable option. Those who planned to stay for a month would often extend it to 3, because most of them were creative people, and Gyumri is a comfortable place for creative people.

In Tsakhkadzor any hotel will charge you ֏35k-֏50k per night. It's incomparably more affordable in Gyumri. This is partly because the city has a lot of work to do to raise the standards. Just because we've seen a boom in recent years that doesn't mean we are suddenly the epicenter of tourism. We need to evolve so tourists will have a reason to visit us against. //

Another tour operator: Gyumri is a lot more fun and attractive these days but certainly challenges remain. New restaurants and hotels are being built every step of the way. This can lead to unhealthy competition. They are not booked every day; people usually visit Gyumri on the weekend.

The sanctions on Russia have reduced the flow of tourists because Russian airlines have issues with their jets. It costs a lot more to reach Armenia. //

[read,](https://factor.am/552321.html)

politics in Yerevan

▶︎ The pro-Western "European Party of Armenia" will nominate the famous (and slightly nutty) singer Ruben Hakhverdyan for mayor, during next year's municipal elections. The party president about Hakhverdyan: "Honest, sincere, fair. Ordinary genius. A true Yerevanite. A true citizen. A true European." [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092154.html)

▶︎ The ruling party had earlier nominated ex-Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan for mayor. Tomorrow the Yerevan Council will appoint him as a deputy mayor. The mayor has 4 deputies. [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092185.html)

the Parliament is back from summer break, along with the usual drama

They will discuss 45 topics. The opposition continues to boycott the sessions. They have been absent from parliament since May; they will organize meetings called "Armenia's true agenda" outside the parliament. Speaker Alen Simonyan called the opposition's decision "frivolous" but added that it won't harm the work at the parliament.

Simonyan: The parliament has the people's mandate and legitimacy, whereas the opposition has the lowest legitimacy in our history. The only thing left is for them to establish an alternative state.

Reporter: When do you plan to introduce the resolution to ask the Constitutional Court to strip opposition MPs from mandates?

Simonyan: It's not a resolution that we introduce, it's mandated under the law to launch proceedings against MPs who skip too many sessions without a valid reason. We will talk about it when this session ends in December. I am confident they will avoid that situation by taking certain steps, including through occasional participation or "doctor's note".

Reporter: [Street protest leader] ARF Ishkhan Saghatelyan announced that since they won't be able to convince your [QP] MPs to join and impeach Pashinyan, then perhaps it's necessary to pressure and force the MPs.

Simonyan: Ishkhan Saghatelyan is no longer a serious politician. His allies at ARF and HHK have successfully sacrificed him. What else was Saghatelyan saying? That "Nikol will leave in a few days"? This is no longer serious.

Reporter: Do you see divisions within the opposition?

Simonyan: There is Kocharyan with a few people; there is the ARF, which dictates the terms because they are the majority; and there are the so-called "freelancers" who are pursuing personal goals and have found themselves entrapped but can't get out because Mr. Kocharyan won't open the bus doors.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092174.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092192.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092194.html) [read,](https://factor.am/552685.html) [read,](https://factor.am/552974.html)

"political persecution" incoming

Municipal elections will take place in several settlements later this month. There are 3 political forces competing in In Berd (Tavush). One of them is the Zoravar Hamaynk alliance. Four of its lead figures are entering the race while being under criminal investigations for alleged corruption.

The acting head of the community, Harutyun Manucharyan, is under arrest on corruption charges. He was charged with rigging land auctions and authorizing illegal construction in 2010-2012, etc.

The second one is Lernik Babayan. He was a commander of a military unit from 2018-2019. The authorities charged him with negligence and rigging contractor soldiers' records.

The next one is Roland Margaryan, the head of the Paravakar community. He is accused of rigging a property auction in 2017 so his family could buy it for below the market value.

The next one is Levon Arakelyan, the head of the Nenrkin Karmiraghbyur community. He is accused of illegally cutting 46 trees in 2020.

[read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243851)

government drafted a bill to register "matsun" (plain yogurt) as Armenian

Wikipedia: [Matzoon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matzoon) (matsun) is a fermented milk product of Armenian origin, popular in Armenia and Georgia. The word originates from the Armenian "matz" (sour, glue). The etymology is provided by Grigor Magistros, in his Definition of grammar (11th century). //

Matsoni is the Georgian variant. Georgia had registered it as a Georgian geographical indicator (GI), thus preventing Armenian matsun producers from exporting matsun-labeled products via Georgia to Russia. The Armenian manufacturers are forced to use alternative words such as "mountain yogurt".

It's similar to how France protects "cognac" and "champagne".

Economy Ministry: Back in 2011 Armenia sent an objection to EU and Georgian authorities, citing the linguistic similarities between matsun and matsoni. The objection was rejected. [The Georgian law that introduced this restriction is old, but it went into effect this year.]

We are preparing legal amendments now to allow a state agricultural agency to register GIs under its name, as opposed to current rules under which only manufacturers register GIs.

This will allow us to register matsun as an Armenian GI, but we will also need to reach an agreement with Georgia to mutually recognize our GIs before the product can be exported via Georgia. //

Today the parliament discussed the government's bill that will allow the registration of the GI.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: Many agro-food and wine products will have the ability to register under Armenian GI. This will allow them to be exported and sold at a higher price. Today the GI registration is not popular in Armenia - only "Sevan trout" has one.

QP MP Papoyan: What about the wine exports?

Kerobyan: Wine exporters often face challenges. The Kakhet wine is one example. Its export is restricted by Georgia's GI registration. When this law is adopted, we will be able to register our own GI and submit it to international bodies. Then we will sign an agreement with Georgia to mutually recognize our GIs.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092202.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074951.html) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1074951.html)

anti-corruption: this year prosecutors have recovered more in damages than in 2021 and 2020 combined

Prosecutors: We are investigating $1.254 billion in damages done to the state. $135 million has been recovered during the preliminary stages. This year we've recovered more than in the previous two years combined:

2020: $35m

2021: $17m

2022: $56m (as of August)

[read,](https://youtu.be/LwUZps25_ds?t=28) [read,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243836)

anti-corruption: Residents are able to anonymously report corruption to prosecutors. How many people have used it?

2019: 188 reported, 5 led to a criminal investigation, several pending.

2020: 140 reported, 1 led to a criminal investigation, several pending.

2021: 75 reported, 10 led to a criminal investigation, several pending.

The vast majority of reports were made anonymously.

Justice Ministry rep: We prepared a bill to raise awareness about the existence of this system, and to make amendments to strengthen the institute of anonymous reports. The bill also envisages personal and property protections for a tipster, a temporary or a permanent new address for them, etc. //

Ranking ruling party MPs are against the bill in its current form.

QP MPs: The bill was encouraged by our European partners but it doesn't take into account the risks associated specifically with Armenia. The current language of the bill could actually encourage corruption and retaliation. The international obligation says "introduce this law, but you decide on the modalities and implementation mechanisms, as long as they don't contradict international standards". This bill will protect the anonymous tipster. What we really need is a bill that fights corruption by protecting the anonymous tipster.

QP Rubinyan: Thank you, my colleagues. It must be noted that you have done more opposition work within the past 20 minutes than the opposition parties this year.

QP MPs: lol.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092188.html) [watch,](https://youtu.be/r67l66Ju3Sg) [watch,](https://youtu.be/w-HGY8D2eIA?t=95) [watch,](https://youtu.be/qMFuK070vus) [read,](https://youtu.be/Af2Lt7b0gek)

government plans to modernize the civil service with new digitization | cybersecurity | data management center on Google Cloud

IRS representative: As approved by the Executive in March, Armenia will receive a €26.5m loan from the IBRD bank to launch the 4th stage of the civil service modernization plan. The number of digitized services available to the public will increase to 350-400.

The tax system will be modernized as well, with new services on mobile apps, new cybersecurity tools, and related institutional mechanisms.

We will establish a new unified state data management center within the framework of the G-Cloud hybrid cloud model, a new archive for e-justice and courts, databases for the upcoming Interior Ministry, etc.

IRS will receive the lion's share of the loan because we plan widespread reforms. Today you have access to most IRS services electronically, but not on mobile. We plan to fix that. //

QP MP Papoyan: Tell us more about the digitization at IRS.

IRS representative: Mobile services, which have long been requested by taxpayers; preparation of a simplified platform ahead of the introduction of the universal income tax declaration system in Armenia.

QP MP Papoyan: We plan to establish a simplified tax reporting system. The taxpayer will log in, insert a few digits like the turnover, press a single button, and be done. No need for an accountant. Will this new loan help achieve that?

IRS representative: Yes. It's already done to an extent. We will introduce AI and machine learning in these processes to improve the quality of services.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092184.html) [watch,](https://youtu.be/meNo190maD0) [watch,](https://youtu.be/wY6pF7EBKNI)

electronic mailbox

QP MP Armen Khachatryan: The aforementioned IRS reforms are great, but we must ensure that the interaction between the state and the citizen is done electronically as much as possible.

Anyone with a passport or an ID is given an electronic address, yet 99.9% of people are unaware that the government has given them an e-address. We should amend the law to make the state-individual or state-business interaction electronic.

The state spends $5 million a year just on postal deliveries, from which only 30%-40% is delivered properly. There are big problems with no one being at home, etc.

It's time to put this shameful practice behind us. Wheater the notice is from the police or court, it should happen electronically. Kindly check your official e-mailbox once every 10 days. This will ensure that the recipient has received the notice. //

[watch,](https://youtu.be/K3tTEBD9cow)

government wants to establish an institute of certified sapling/seedling

Economy Minister Kerobyan: The bill about seeds and saplings will offer our investors higher-quality products that have passed certification. The import of untested products, especially under the changing climate, and our emphasis on expanding intense gardens, make it necessary to introduce these reforms.

The certified products will ensure higher productivity, encourage investments, and increase exports. There will be science-based sapling production sites. We expect the locally produced products to cost 70% less than the imported ones, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in economic benefits.

I'll give you an example. Let's say an investor wants to establish a vineyard for "Areni". They currently don't have certified plants that will guarantee the outcome. It's risky to blindly plant something now and wait for 5 years to see what the outcome is. //

[watch,](https://factor.am/552695.html)

Yerevan Zoo's Meddietenian turtle gave birth to 6 babies | PHOTO

The mating season begins in May. The pregnant female searches for "good soil" to lay the eggs. They even taste the soil. The eggs remain there for 65-75 days.

[see,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/243773)

high-tech contest: students were asked to prepare drones

[Last year](https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/294246/) a fundraiser was organized to build a test site for drones in Lernapat (Lori). "Let's together build the first drone airport."

Aided by the Emergency Ministry, Karen Vardanyan Education Foundation and the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises organized a competition titled Հաւք-2.

The students and professionals were asked to prepare drones capable of assisting rescuers during emergency situations. Over 100 groups applied.

The drones must be able to scan the terrain, find and differentiate items, and drop a package or liquid.

The winners were given awards and cash.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092242.html)

COVID stats last week

7 dead, 7.5k tested, 2.6k infected, 2.2k healed.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092187.html)

Healthcare Minister met the head of the World Health Organization

Avanesyan and WHO's Tedros Ghebreyesus discussed the plans to implement [universal healthcare](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/v1atcm/may302022_your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia/) and digital health services in Armenia. Other topics were also discussed, including the organization of an international medical forum in Armenia on October 5-7.

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092253.html)

culture news

▶︎ Yerevan municipality has acquired hundreds of musical instruments for dozens of music and art schools in Yerevan and Artsakh. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092124.html)

▶︎ Events were organized in Yerevan to celebrate Moscow's 875th birthday. The Moscow House organized chess and checkers tournaments. There are different variants of checkers in the world, but the "Russian checkers" is the one most popular in Armenia, noted the organizer. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092143.html)

▶︎ The Moscow House organized a photo expo to display the capital's architecture and famous buildings. Vahram Karapetyan, the director of Moscow House, said that today the city is unrecognizable compared to the 1990s and 2000s. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092145.html)

▶︎ Tsakhkadzor's "Orbeli Brothers" house museum organized a photo exhibition dedicated to Iran's Tabriz. The Iranian ambassador was invited to the cultural event. They enjoyed traditional dances. [read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092195.html)

wrestler Malkhas Amoyan won the bronze medal during the world championship

The 23-year-old former European and world champion has upgraded his weight category from 67kg to 77kg.

[read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092170.html)

Greco-Roman wrestler Arthur Aleksanyan is world champion (again)

This is his 4th title. In the final, the 97kg chad defeated Bulgaria's Kiril Milenov 5:1. He had earlier defeated the two-time world champion Metehen Bashar from Turkey.

London 2012 Olympics: Bronze

Rio 2016 Olympics: Gold

Tokio 2020 Olympics: Silver

World gold: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022.

World silver: 2013, 2019.

European champion: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2020.

[read](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092265.html)

==... residents of Gyumri gathered in Vardanants Square to watch Aleksanyan's victory in real-time | VIDEO

[watch,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=813233066370245)

triathlon competition was organized in the Lake Sevan basin

The Tri4All triathlon competition took place at the Kaputak Sevan beach. It included swimming, cycling, and running. This year the organizers cooperated with the EU-funded "EU4Sevan" program to raise awareness about nature protection.

[see,](https://www.ecolur.org/en/news/sevan/14311/) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092204.html)

religious news

▶︎ The Church celebrated the Khachverats (Exaltation of the Holy Cross) yesterday, on the first Sunday of September 11-17. It is one of the 5 major feasts of the Church. It refers to the cross on which Christ was crucified. A liturgy is held on the following Monday. [read,](https://armenianchurch.us/essential_grid/exaltation-of-the-cross/) [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092148.html)

▶︎ Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has been elected as the president of the World Council of Churches. The election took place in Germany last week. Aram I has served as a moderator at various committees since 1991 and has held other ranking positions within the Council. President Khachaturyan congratulated His Holiness. [read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092171.html) [read,](https://asbarez.com/aram-i-elected-president-of-world-council-of-churches/)

number of people who applied for a gun permit in Armenia

2017: 1.9k

2018: 2.3k

2019: 1.2k

2020: 3.9k

2021: 3.2k

Read details about the planned gun reforms [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/x8gc3z/sep72022_new_gun_laws_armenian_scientist_sent/).

[read,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1092224.html)

electric vehicle owners organized a rally in Yerevan | PHOTO

Nature Ministry: The rally began from Stepan Shahumyan Square and covered dozens of streets in the capital. The drivers then parked their vehicles to plant trees, as a symbolic gesture. //

The event has turned into a tradition ever since the import of EVs skyrocketed in 2019.

2017: 29

2018: 12

2019: 668

2020: 2155

2021: 6645

2022: 7181

According to various estimates, 66% of air pollution in Armenia comes from motor vehicles.

[read,](https://factor.am/552231.html)

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/xcq1uk/sep122022_news_digest_from_armenia/