2022 September 27

Daily news wrap-up

Sep/27/2022: __ Armenia's copper reserves to last 100+ years; new smelter to radically change economy __ Why did diamond exports double? __ U.S. & France again urge Azerbaijan to withdraw troops __ More Western figures want to arm Armenia __ ARF responds to LTP __ War anniversary __ Mail ru unsafe?
by ar_david_hh

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14 minutes, 3492 words.

Armenia's copper-molybdenum reserves will last over 100 years: Zangezur Combine administration

Context: Zangezur Combine is Armenia's largest taxpayer. Its post-independence privatization raised many questions about the shady deals and hidden shareholders. Several criminal investigations were launched after the 2018 revolution. It led to the miner paying millions of dollars in fines.

One of the shareholders, which also operates gold mines in Armenia, ended up acquiring shares from fellow shareholders, and proceeded to donate 22% to the government for "nationalization", in line with the 2021 electoral campaign promise made by Prime Minister Pashinyan. [Read more about the subsequent changes in Combine's administration.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/wwsv2j/aug242022_govt_nationalizes_more_zangezur_shares/)

The deputy director of Zangezur Combine gave an interview:

... Zangezur Combine is one of the largest taxpayers. In H1 2022, its tax contributions rose by ֏105b ($256m). How do you explain this increase?

1) The increase in copper and molybdenum prices.

2) The new administration has taken steps to reduce expenditures and increase profitability. This has led to bigger tax payments.

3) The government amended the law to introduce new export taxes on miners.

... What has changed since October 2021, when the government became a shareholder?

This was a positive development. It allows the government to see from the inside what problems exist, and what needs to be done to address them. The management is still carried out by the main owner. The government cannot manage it because they own around 25%, but their participation in the plant has allowed them to appoint "insiders" who see the inner workings.

... How much do you export? Citing the H1 export results, the Economy Minister recently noted that Armenia is moving away from being a mining-oriented economy. Did your exports shrink, or did exports in other fields increase?

Our exports did not shrink. The structural change in the economy is a result of other sectors exporting more products. Miners still play a significant role; they paid 10%-15% of budget incomes in H1. If we include the non-mining companies that provide services to miners, our field paid 20% of taxes.

... Are the copper and molybdenum prices still high?

No. It lasted from 2021 to H1 2022. The prices have declined since April. It's about 25% lower this year, which is significant. We were prepared for this because our industry is accustomed to "cycles".

Today the price of copper is $7,700, but you cannot compare it to the same $7,700 from a few years ago because of today's inflation and the strengthening of the dram against the dollar. The latter is harming us. We receive income in dollars, while most of the expenses are in drams. This decreases our profitability. We understand that the government is attempting to strike a balance between this and consumer inflation.

... Government expects the economy to grow 7% this year. How much of that growth will come from mining? The government wants other sectors to be the growth engine, to reduce reliance on mining.

We expect our plant's output to grow by 24% this year. I can't tell you what the exact impact will be on economic growth. Armenia's economy grew +13% in the first half of this year. I think it'll get even better towards the end of this year.

Mining is not a bad thing. It is a significant contributor in many countries. It's not true that the country is "backward" just because mining is its largest sector. We plan to continue to develop this sector in Armenia.

We plan to process the copper concentrate in Armenia before exporting it. There will be a new copper foundry. We will convert cheap raw materials into high-value products before exporting them.

... When will you build the foundry?

Within the next 5-10 years because it requires a lot of work. It will be the largest project in the history of independent Armenia. It is a very large investment project in terms of scale and significance. It requires a scientific approach, which our team has adopted today.

Once the foundry is ready, Armenia will have a completely different economy. We will have higher-valued exports.

... Where will you build the foundry?

TBD. It could be in Syunik or Lori.

... What steps do you take to protect nature?

We comply with every environmental regulation and attempt to go above and beyond by implementing higher standards that exist in other countries. With that said, some environmental problems do exist, and this is true for Armenia in general. We are working with the government to minimize the risks.

... What other programs are you working on?

We have programs to increase productivity and reduce expenditures. The estimates show that Armenia's reserves will last over 100 years. Our goal is to develop the economy so we can have a powerful country and a powerful army.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093483.html)

export of diamonds has doubled, gold has increased

Export of raw gold materials:

H1 2021: 1.4 tons, $54m

H1 2022: 2.5 tons, $94m (83% to India, 14% to Turkey)

The export of diamonds in H1 has doubled to 715,000 carat. Experts attribute the rise to an active global market and reforms in Armenia. Last year the government formed a new state company "HayAl". Its task is to help private diamond companies to negotiate better deals with raw diamond sellers based in Russia.

Expert: Individually, our diamond companies did not have the power to negotiate more favorable import terms. The state company has allowed them to import materials at a lower cost. The prepared product is mostly exported to the United Arab Emirates and Russia. //

[video,](https://youtu.be/qr2vdwOyyqc)

ARF rejects ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's plea for the opposition and government to place their differences aside and hold a meeting to discuss diplomatic options

Context in [Monday news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/xp05ix/sep262022_armenias_judicial_reforms_interview/).

ARF co-leader Armen Rustamyan: About the idea of meeting Pashinyan to inquire about the available options regarding the peace treaty. It's already clear. Every option will lead us to a capitulation. Let Pashinyan himself make the "least painful" choice. Do we need to help him understand what the least painful option is? //

LTP has warned the opposition that in order to prevent things from getting worse, the opposition must agree to meet the government and adopt a less-hostile attitude towards it, so all the political forces can make the crucial decisions in unity.

[article,](https://factor.am/559951.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/PcjEKm1zmKo)

calls grow for Western countries to provide military assistance to Armenia

In case you missed [Monday news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/xp05ix/sep262022_armenias_judicial_reforms_interview/), some officials in the U.S. have reportedly raised the topic of providing defense weapons to Armenia.

The deputy director of the prominent French newspaper "Le Figaro" wants the EU and France to arm Armenia.

Jean-Christophe Buisson: Les Etats-Unis envisagent de + en + de livrer des armes à l'Armenie pour se défendre contre les Azéro-Turcs qui la menacent d'une nouvelle agression militaire. Et l'UE? Et la France? #StandWithArmenia

(The U.S. could soon supply weapons to Armenia to defend from Azeri-Turkish aggression. What about the EU and France? Stand with Armenia.)

[official,](https://twitter.com/jchribuisson/status/1574509587461447680) [article,](https://factor.am/559907.html)

Security Council chief Grigoryan visited the Carnegie Foundation in Washington

Armen Grigoryan is on a working trip to the U.S. capital. He met the members of the Carnage Foundation and other research centers, as well as former and current Armenian officials.

Grigoryan presented details about authoritarian Azerbaijan's military aggression against Armenia's sovereign territory, and its threats to the Armenian democracy. He highlighted the determination of Yerevan in moving on the path of democracy.

The meeting also covered issues relating to AM-U.S. partnership and cooperation in economic and democratic reforms.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093463.html)

U.S. privately & publicly urged Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from Armenian territories

[France and UK did so yesterday.](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/xp05ix/sep262022_armenias_judicial_reforms_interview/)

U.S. State Department Spokesperson: Anthony Blinken had conversations with the two leaders, but last week's meeting with FM Mirzoyan and FM Bayramov was the first face-to-face meeting that the two foreign ministers had since the latest outbreak of violence.

Blinken noted to both leaders the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and working towards a peaceful resolution, and that the U.S. stands ready to support this bilaterally or multilaterally.

Our message has been consistent: We call on Azerbaijan to return troops to their initial positions. We urge the disengagement of military forces. The use of force is not an acceptable path. We’ve made that clear privately.

We’ve also made that clear publicly, and we’re glad that our continued engagement has helped to halt the hostilities. There can be and there is no military solution to this conflict. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093466.html) [official,](https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-september-26-2022/)

U.S. Senators introduce a bipartisan resolution to condemn Azerbaijan's aggression and call for a halt to all military aid to Azerbaijan

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and senior member Marco Rubio, a Democrat and a Republican, are set to introduce a bipartisan resolution soon.

Representatives Jackie Speier and Adam Schiff had earlier introduced similar resolutions in the House.

[article,](https://en.armradio.am/2022/09/27/us-senators-to-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-azerbaijans-aggression/)

France's Macron tells Azerbaijan's Aliyev to respect Armenia's territorial integrity during a phone call

Macron office: Macron spoke with Aliyev today, after yesterday's in-person meeting with Pashinyan in Paris. Macron reiterated his call to respect the ceasefire and keep the forces in their original positions. Marcon reminded his demand to respect Armenia's territorial integrity. //

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093532.html)

one of the soldiers missing after the September aggression has been found alive

Private Samvel Antanyan is a conscript who was sent to build trenches in the Nerkin Hand frontline. He went missing on the night of September 12, during the military aggression launched by Azerbaijan.

Private Antanyan has been found alive, his health is in satisfactory condition, informed the Defense Ministry today.

[article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/244965)

Foreign Minister of Greece has arrived in Armenia. He has a few not-so-kind words about neighbor Turkey...

FM Mirzoyan and FM Dendias discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan's recent military aggression against Armenia.

FM Mirzoyan: It’s unequivocal, Azeri troops must withdraw from the sovereign territory of Armenia, and all POWs must be returned. We attach importance to the targeted and adequate reaction by the international community addressed to Azerbaijan’s maximalist and criminal aspirations. And in this context, we value friendly Greece’s position on the current situation.

FM Dendias: Revisionist policies will fail. We believe in the inviolability of borders, and I am referring to the incidents that happened a few days ago following the shelling of Armenian territory, including inhabited areas by the Azeri military forces. I am here to express my solidarity with the Armenian Government and the Armenian people.

I would like to send a clear message to countries that seek to redraw maps: revisionist policies will fail. To mention another revisionist power: Turkey is trying to take advantage of the recent turmoil in order to undermine peace and stability, be it in the Caucasus or be it in the Aegean.

Just yesterday Turkey protested that Greece is sending a few defensive weapons to the Greek island of Lesbos. And this was done when Greece was acting in line with our obligations as these obligations emanate from the Lausanne Treaty.

To cut a long story short: Turkey is protesting because Greece does not allow its territories defenseless. Turkey issues a casus belli threat of war against Greece, and has landed a fleet a few miles from the Aegean islands.

But we have repeatedly stated that we are ready and willing to engage in constructive dialogue with Turkey on the basis of international law, but also, we stand ready to defend our country and to defend our rights.

I would like to thank you Ararat [FM Mirozyan] for the briefing on the Caucasus. I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Defense Minister. Our position on Nagorno Karabakh remains unchanged: we support achieving a peaceful, mutually acceptable solution within the framework of international law.

We salute the courage of Prime Minister Pashinyan who proposed a new approach, for a new future in this region, just like President Macron said yesterday. But solutions and peace cannot be built when there is a threat of force.

Greece will continue to support the resumption of bilateral negotiations as well as the EU and US contributions to the Nagorno Karabakh settlement effort. At the end of the day, we cannot change geography. People have to have the opportunity to live peacefully side by side.

... Premier Pashinyan hosted Greek FM Dendias

They noted the importance of the dynamic development of the Armenia-Greece-Cyprus relations

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093493.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093495.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093499.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093505.html)

Russia vows to take all necessary steps to complete the implementation of AM-AZ agreements and the normalization of relations

Russian Embassy: On the day of commemoration of the 2020 war, we mourn the losses together with the Armenian people. Russia has taken and will continue to take all necessary steps for the complete implementation of the trilateral agreements reached in 2020 and 2021 between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are convinced that all disputes between the parties can and must be resolved exclusively diplomatically.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093519.html)

U.S. remains committed to working towards peace for South Caucasus: U.S. Embassy’s statement on 2nd anniversary of the war

Embassy: We remember those who lost their lives in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and extend our deepest condolences to the families. The U.S. remains committed to working towards peace for the South Caucasus region

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093452.html)

a march in memory of martyrs was organized in Nagorno Karabakh capital Stepanakert on the 2nd anniversary of the war | PHOTO

Thousands of Artsakh residents gathered on Tuesday to march and pray. The drivers [stopped their vehicles](https://youtu.be/UtB1rxJfLXY?t=13) for a minute of silence.

[photo & article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093478.html) [article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/244929)

around two dozen social assistance programs were implemented for Artsakh residents after the war: Labor Ministry of Armenia

Deputy Minister: The programs have provided financial assistance, rent subsidies, temporary jobs, and housing. Most of these programs have since ended, but the construction of free housing units continues.

▶︎ There is also a mortgage and interest subsidy for many Artsakh IDPs. If they decide to purchase an apartment, we'll give them a ֏8m subsidy in Yerevan, ֏10m in provinces, ֏12m in Artsakh (համապատասխանաբար աջակցություն նաև՝ հաշվեգրվող մինչև 8%, 10%, 12% տոկոսագումարի գծով).

▶︎ 1,498 people became disabled after the war, mostly category-3. Further re-examinations placed the number at 1,107. They have received mobility aid and equipment. Modern prosthetics were given to 136 people.

▶︎ We recently launched [employment programs for veterans](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1088723.html). They will be paid over $120/mo to attend a 5-month training course at a school or business, or a 3-month internship at a business.

If the veteran is ready, the employer signs an employment contract with a minimum term of 1 year. The employer receives a one-time or monthly financial payment from the government for one year, as an incentive. //

ARF co-leader Armen Rustamyan believes that Pashinyan administration has been providing the unprecedented amount of post-war financial assistance to Artsakh only because they want Artsakh residents to remain in Artsakh, so they won't move to Armenia and "cause problems" for Pashinyan. "It's all calculated," believes Rustamyan.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093482.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1088723.html) [video,](https://youtu.be/PcjEKm1zmKo?t=343)

Azerbaijani war veterans continue to commit suicide amid "lack of support" from the government

War veteran Firudin Firudinli hang himself on Monday. He was awarded several medals for his participation in the 2020 invasion of Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Firudinli is among over 44 Azerbaijani veterans who have killed themselves. Another 50 have made attempts. Veterans complain about a lack of support from the Aliyev regime.

[article,](https://factor.am/559961.html)

Nagorno Karabakh foreign minister's U.S. trip continues

▶︎ David Babayan wet representatives of U.S. Armenian Bar Association to discuss the strengthening of pan-Armenian ties, issues relating to the Artsakh Republic, and the protection of its rights and interests.

▶︎ FM Babayan wet with Los Angeles Country Supervisors to discuss the strengthening of Artsakh-L.A. ties.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093455.html) [article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093471.html)

Deputy Speaker Arshakyan attended the funeral of late Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe

Delegations from over 100 countries were present at the funeral.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093496.html)

famous Russian pop singer Boris Moseev dead at age 68

Moseev was one of the most famous gay artists in Russian show business. His mother was a political prisoner who gave birth while in a prison in Belarus. The cause of death is unknown. Moseev had strokes in 2010 and 2015.

[article,](https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-63051534)

Council of Europe has prepared a package for Armenia on how to raise media literacy and strengthen media freedoms

The Council of Europe sent a delegation to Armenia to share the media assessment report. It's about media literacy and its alignment with CoE standards, legal reforms, the fight against disinformation, press freedoms, etc. The CoE has offered its support.

The Education Ministry presented the ongoing efforts, which include educational materials in schools, aimed at raising media literacy and developing civil rights.

[article,](https://factor.am/559855.html)

is it safe to use Russian email provider mail d0t ru?

Tech expert Samvel Martirosyan: I advise against using it, and against using it to sign up for other services, because the provider will likely fall under sanctions. It's necessary to change your email on social media websites as soon as possible.

The majority of Armenians use it as their primary email provider. I'm not even talking about the risk of Comrade Major spying on your mailbox. I'm talking about Apple removing it from App Store. Google will probably follow the suit soon.

The entire Vkontakte (VK) might find itself under sanctions because it's run by Kiriyenko's son, who is helping organize the referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

VK could soon lose its TLS certificate, just as it's happening with SBER [bank] today. You then use a local Russian certificate, the mailbox works again, and Comrade Major is now comfortably sitting in your house.

Use Gmail or Outlook instead. Don't switch to another Russian mailbox for similar reasons. //

[article,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/244924)

Ireland defeats Armenia 3:2 in Dublin: UEFA Nations League

The Armenian national team is the last in the group. It will be downgraded from League B to C.

[article,](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/440747)

Armenia and Qatar agree to train boxers and wrestlers together; Qatar will organize training camps in Armenia

Deputy Education/Sports Minister Giloyan hosted the head of Qatar's boxing federation Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani.

Sheikh Fahad: You have a wonderful country with the necessary infrastructures for developing sport. We visited the Olympic Village, the Tsaghkadzor Sports Complex, we reviewed the conditions. Everything was wonderful. We plan to organize training camps for our boxers and wrestlers in Armenia. //

Armenian and Qatari boxing and wrestling coaches will exchange experiences and train their athletes together. Qatar will consider Armenia a primary country for holding training camps for national teams of all age groups.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093508.html)

low-cost carrier Wizz Air launches regular Rome-Yerevan-Rome flights, twice a week

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093457.html)

tourism continues to recover from 2020 slump, tour operators brace for hotel shortages

One Way company: We had to make certain adjustments to our tour packages in the south, after the recent military aggression. The wine festival in Areni and Aram MP3's concert were canceled. The tourists were redirected to Sevan-Garni-Geghard for now.

ArmLand company: This year we've seen twice as many visitors. At this pace, we are going to have hotel shortages in 2023 because this year they are already full. April-November is an active tourism season. Armenia has great potential, especially in hiking. It's affordable, the nature is beautiful, and the service is good.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093458.html)

hundreds of guests will arrive for the 20th HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival in Yerevan

The main goals of HIGH FEST (October 1-8) are the promotion of Worldwide Culture in Armenia and Armenian Culture in other countries in the world; supporting Armenia's cultural integration with Europe; setting up and implementing programs and events in art and culture for professional artists in order to promote open and democratic society within Armenia.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093459.html) [official,](https://highfest.am/about-us/)

Yerevan will host the Science & Technology Convergence Conference 2022 on Wednesday

It's an annual conference organized by the National Academy of Sciences, SmartGateVC, and the EU. The guests will discuss the space industry, robotics, automation, and biotech.

[article,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1093468.html)

NASA's senior astrophysicist will give free lectures in Armenia

Professor Vladimir Airapetian, a senior astrophysicist at the Heliophysics Science Division of the Goddard Space Flight Center of NASA, will deliver lectures at the Yerevan State University on Wednesday and Thursday.

He will talk about the search for life in the universe, and "Solving Puzzles of the Moon and Mars".

[article,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1093469.html) [official,](https://www.facebook.com/events/772330197325066?ref=newsfeed)

NASA has successfully slammed Bruce Willis against an asteroid's child, just for fun | VIDEO

There is an asteroid with a satellite-asteroid rotating around it. NASA has decided to change the satellite's path by shooting a 570-kilogram spacecraft at it. The satellite needed 10 months to reach the target.

The impact was successful. It'll take a while to calculate if the trajectory of the satellite has changed. They expect its orbit to shorten by 1% or 10 minutes.

[dashcam video,](https://youtu.be/E60E7dzsmeM?t=71) [article,](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-dart-mission-hits-asteroid-in-first-ever-planetary-defense-test)

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/xptmlo/sep272022_armenias_copper_reserves_to_last_100/