2023 October 26

Daily news wrap-up

The September armed clashes near capital Stepanakert // Easier citizenship // What assistance are refugees receiving? // Renewable energy boost // Q&A with Pashinyan // Breakthrough in H1 // Մուկ's stash of cash // Drama escalates: AM-RU relations
by ar_david_hh

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more witnesses describe the skirmishes between Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian soldiers on the outskirts of the capital Stepanakert

The previous interview with a Nagorno-Karabakh soldier can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17aysax/netherlands_tested_the_firstever_satellite_built/). He took part in the battles near the neighboring Krkzhan and Paralelni districts of capital Stepanakert. These clashes took place a day after the ceasefire agreement because Azerbaijani troops broke the agreement and attempted to advance towards the civilian districts of the capital.

NK's defense forces were stationed in the Paralelni district to act as a shield between the advancing enemy and the thousands of civilians that were still in the capital at the time. The civilians were evacuated in that district.

The Armenian forces, equipped with night vision tech, were stationed on the hill with a big metal cross to guard the area at night. The enemy was spotted 300 meters away from the cross. In the morning, Armenian forces heard sounds of heavy equipment and attempted to use drones for recon but Azeris were able to jam the drones.

At 10 am they spotted the first Azeri unit "casually" walking into the gorge. The commander instructed them not to fire. They complied. A while later, the second Azeri unit entered the gorge. The local commander found it necessary to fire warning shots. They fired near the advancing Azeris' feet. Azeris started cussing at Armenians. The situation escalates. An Armenian sniper took out one of the Azeri soldiers with a headshot.

The Armenian commander instructed his unit to retreat. As they traveled through the district, they noticed a civilian fleeing with his personal belongings. At first, the civilian thought the soldiers were Azeris. After convincing him that they were friendly, they evacuated the civilian.

After meeting resistance in this area, some of the Azeri units moved towards Krkzhan district, where the Jrhan station is. There was an intense exchange of fire there. Mortars and grenade launchers were used.

As the Armenian forces moved between their positions, they unexpectedly came under friendly fire from locals who mistook them for Azeris. No casualties. The civilians were told to leave this area, too.

After meeting more resistance there, Azeris changed their tactic and deployed snipers.

After 30 minutes of shootout near Krkzhan, Russian peacekeepers stationed forces between Armenians and Azeris. Nagorno-Karabakh President Shahramanyan visited the site. After negotiations, Azeris began to retreat. This was confirmed by an Armenian sniper observing the events from a rooftop.

During the skirmishes, a group of 20 Azeris entered one of the houses and found themselves entrapped. Armenian soldiers instructed them to exit safely because they were "surrounded" and that "everything was over".

During the skirmishes in Krkzhan and Paralelni, Armenians sustained 2 WIA, and Azeris sustained at least 1 KIA, according to some participants.

On September 23, Russian peacekeepers reportedly lied to Armenian soldiers in order to convince them to leave their positions on the hills. They told them that Azeris had retreated 5 kilometers. In reality, they were 500 meters away. This was followed by Azeris accumulating a large number of police forces to enter and arrest Armenian soldiers.

NK's NSS forces learned about the Azeri plan and decided to wear civilian uniforms and stay in the nearby abandoned houses. Together with civilians who had refused to leave, they organized a territorial defense by patrolling the streets at night. The following day the commander instructed them to surrender all weapons. They complied.

[source,](http://www.civilnet.am/news/755053/հետկապիտուլյացիոն-բախումը-ստեփանակերտի-պառալելնի-և-կրժկժան-թաղամասերում/)

Canada opens an embassy in Armenia, will become the first non-EU state to deploy observers on the AM-AZ border

Canada's ambassador and FM visited the town of Jermuk located not far from the line of contact.

[video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrtWelYsZsg) [speech,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r_CDKa_kF4) [speech,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXFUvCHmOjs) [speech,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUqHzJdtGuo) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/272242) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/755214/կանադայի-արտագործնախարարն-այցելել-է-ջերմուկ/)

Azerbaijan says it no longer expects a "corridor" through Armenia

BAKU: We have decided to build the east-west transport linkage through Iran instead. The route passing through Armenia has lost its appeal for us.

[source,](https://www.politico.eu/article/peace-armenia-reach-azerbaijan-foreign-minister-jeyhun-bayramov/) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161483)

Brussels meeting has been postponed due to "lack of time"

The late-October meeting between Pashinyan, Aliyev, and Michel won't take place due to "lack of time", said the host EU, adding that the goal is for Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace agreement and for ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to return to their homes.

REPORTER: Why was the meeting canceled?

ALEN SIMONYAN (parliament head): I think it was postponed for technical reasons, and presumably maybe because Azerbaijan has discomfort and concerns associated with the location of the meeting [Western platform]. Either way, there was no specific date for the meeting, so...

REPORTER: Is there a deadlock? This is the second meeting that's being canceled.

ALEN SIMONYAN: No, it's not a deadlock. //

FM Mirzoyan later confirmed that it was Azerbaijani President Aliyev who canceled/delayed the Brussels meeting. During a recent meeting with Putin, Aliyev complained that Pashinyan "didn't have time" to fly to Bishkek and hold negotiations under the Russian platform. The cancellation of this Brussels meeting could be a response by Azerbaijan to strengthen the Russian platform.

In the meantime, the FM of Azerbaijan hosted Russia's special representative Khovayev in Baku to discuss AM-AZ relations.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_pm_and_azerbaijani_president_will_not_meet_in_brussels_in_october_klaar_/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1l73uP4bGk) [source,](https://factor.am/703976.html) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0pZ3KRqJCY) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUqHzJdtGuo)

Parliament summoned Pashinyan administration for Q&A

MP: During your [European Parliament speech](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17a8r7i/military_reforms_fortifications_armenia_europe/), you used a new term "Crossroad of Peace" to describe the unblocking of regional communication routes. Explain what you meant.

PASHINYAN: It's basically a rebranding of "Armenian Crossroads" that we used earlier. The Crossroads of Peace initiative already has its branding logo and everything. We will soon print an [English-language brochure](https://www.civilnet.am/news/755221/փաշինյանը-հուսով-է-որ-առաջիկա-ամիսներին-հաջողությամբ-կավարտվեն-խաղաղության-պայմանագրի-աշխատանքները/) [link has the map of the routes] and a video clip that describes our vision for the regional communications and clear up any confusions regarding the term "corridor" that our international colleagues might have.

... What additional steps do you plan on taking to help the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh?

PASHINYAN: Their legal status is an important topic. On Thursday we will legally recognize them essentially as refugees and grant them a temporary protection status. This will give us more tools for protecting their rights, including their property rights, on international platforms as well. The refugees will be able to apply for Armenian citizenship.

... What are you doing to help the refugees with housing and jobs?

PASHINYAN: A family of five has received ֏100K per member, plus ֏50K per member each month for the next six months. That's ֏1.5 million over the next six months. Plus, during the next two months, each member will receive another ֏50K for "emergency expenses".

Altogether, a family of five will receive ֏2.5 million ($6,200). This should be enough to allow them to rent an apartment in Armenia. European countries freak out when 3,000 refugees arrive, but today we are hosting 100,000. The whole world is surprised by our ability to house them. Yes, the resources aren't enough for everyone to rent a luxury apartment in Yerevan but it's sufficient for a livable space.

Refugee seniors will be able to receive pensions shortly after Thursday's decision to grant them the status of refugees.

... How many refugees are sleeping in sports centers, cars, or tents?

MINISTER THANOSYAN: We have a database of refugees. In the initial days, many of them resided in non-residential buildings. For example, a sports center in Artashak. Today no one lives there. It should be noted that we had offered them to settle in hotels in Tsakhkadzor and Sevan but they refused because they intended to stay and live in Artashat. Today, most of the refugees are in single-family homes and apartments, around 5,000 are in hotels, and only 1,400 live in non-residential facilities. There is a program to move the refugees from hotels to apartments: 3,000 have moved recently.

We often complain about landlords unfairly raising rental prices amid increased demand, but we should also thank the landlords in provinces who have provided housing for free.

... Are you discussing the implementation of "rent control" to protect tenants by capping annual rent increase to 4%?

MINISTER MKRTCHYAN: No, but we are taking steps to ensure rental agreements are signed between landlords and tenants.

... Why was the Brussels meeting canceled?

PASHINYAN: I presume it's because Ilham Aliyev did not confirm his participation. But there are technicalities that we are yet to discuss with the EU.

... Will Armenia expand the capacity of the Iranian gas pipeline?

Ruling MP: The influx of refugees means Armenia is going to need more gas. In 2004, Robert Kocharyan decided to lower the capacity of the gas pipeline coming from Iran, from 1,200 to 700. Are you doing anything to reverse this?

PASHINYAN: We aren't using the existing pipeline at its full capacity but I'm happy to remind you that we recently expended the gas-for-electricity deal with Iran until 2030.

The diversification of energy sources is on our agenda. We recently liberalized the energy market. The world is shifting to other technologies today. One of them is the մարտկոցային ելեկտրակայան [presumably "battery storage power station"]. We are thinking and working in this direction.

Imagine if one day we find out that Armenia can be self-sufficient thanks to solar energy. It is a fact that Armenia is very sunny. Today technologies allow you to store energy. Solar is developing rapidly in Armenia.

Ruling MP: I believe Armenia has 300 sunny days. But what about wind energy?

PASHINYAN: We are still studying the wind industry with the help of our international partners, but the solar is already clear, we have a massive potential there.

We have launched a subsidy program to cover part of your home renovation expenses if energy-efficient materials are used. Nowadays, energy efficiency is mandatory while we build kindergartens and schools.

Oil and gas are still important. We continue to take steps to maintain consistent deliveries to Armenia. We are thankful to our energy partners.

... What are you doing to stop the broadcasting of anti-Armenian propaganda on Armenian airways by Russian state media?

MINISTER High-Tech: There is an AM-RU agreement that allows us to discuss and resolve issues with Russia once a year. This agreement was ratified by Russia only in March 2023, so we haven't had a chance to use it yet to hold consultations. In Armenia, the agency tasked with detecting violations is the TV & Radio Committee. We recently requested them to provide us with the list of violations by Russian channels, and we have received it. I can't tell you at this time what steps will be taken, you may already know about the note of protest that our foreign ministry handed to the ambassador of Russia yesterday.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxGF9XJU-E)

PM Pashinyan's news website "insults" Vladimir Putin days after Putin's TV propagandists insulted Pashinyan during a show

Read the context [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17fmv76/mod_papikyan_could_have_a_french_adviser_on/). Pashinyan's news outlet ArmTimes wrote an article highly critical of Russian state propaganda and used the term "պուտինագանդիստական" (Putinogandist, as in Putin's propagandist) to describe Russian state media personalities. Russian opposition outlet Meduza had earlier obtained leaks suggesting that the Kremlin is instructing the state media to cover Pashinyan highly negatively. A prominent Armenian opposition figure from Robert Kocharyan's faction was invited by the Russian show to speak about the importance of removing Pashinyan from power.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/272093)

it turns out the Armenian opposition figure, featured during the anti-Pashinyan and anti-George Soros propaganda piece by the Russian state media, has a record of receiving a grant from George Soros

Andranik Tevanyan was until very recently an MP from Robert Kocharyan's faction. He founded the media outlet 7or and more recently attempted to become the mayor of Yerevan. He was featured by the Kremlin propagandists who complained about Pashinyan and others being Soros grantakers.

A fact-checker has found that Andranik Tevanyan's company "Tevanyan Ltd" requested and received $14,260 in grants from George Soros's office in 2009.

Tevanyan used the grant to run a blog, a debate section on his website, and to translate the site into Russian.

[source,](https://fip.am/12434) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/272194)

two of the Russian propagandists featured in the recent anti-Armenia piece broadcasted by Russian state media are staunchly pro-Azerbaijan

(1) Oleg Barabanov is the program director of Vladimir Putin's favorite Valdai Club. In 2021 he visited the occupied Shushi at the invitation of Ilham Aliyev and criticized Armenians. He is a distinguished member of the Qarabag bizimdir club.

(2) Alexander Artamonov often criticizes Armenia and advocates for the settlement of ethnic Azeris in "Western Azerbaijan" (the term used by the Azerbaijani president to describe Armenia).

[source,](https://fip.am/23687) [source,](https://fip.am/23663)

Moldova bans 22 Russian media websites

Russia is an aggressor state and its state propaganda is not welcome here, said Moldovan authorities, instructing its ISPs to block several domains immediately. This is in addition to Sputnik which was banned earlier this year for "spreading disinformation".

[source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161454)

the news outlet belonging to PM Pashinyan accuses Vitali Balasanyan of plotting a coup in Armenia

Balasanyan served as the head of Nagorno-Karabakh's National Security Council. He was able to enter Armenia without getting arrested. According to a news site owned by PM Pashinyan's family, Balasanyan wanted to borrow cash from Armenian opposition politician Arthur Vanetsyan in order to open some political offices in Armenia and use them to remove Pashinyan from power. Vanetsyan allegedly refused to lend him money.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/272283)

Armenia's public TV published a short clip featuring ethnic Armenians who were forcibly displaced from their homes in Azerbaijan during 1988-1992

It explains how Azerbaijanis voluntarily sold their homes in Armenia before leaving, whereas Armenians weren't given such a chance.

The public channel broke a longstanding "unwritten rule" of not criticizing Russia and members of the Russian government directly. The clip criticized the "Russian propaganda" for supporting the Azerbaijani propaganda which inflates the number of Azeris who left Armenia during the first war.

It touches upon the policies of ethnic cleansing enacted by Azerbaijan in Nakhijevan to reduce the Armenian population and the takeover of Armenian villages through deliberate administrative decisions.

Azerbaijani leadership at one point allowed a university to open in Nagorno-Karabakh's capital Stepanakert, but they ensured a flow of Azerbaijani students into Stepanakert so Armenians wouldn't be the primary beneficiary.

Similarly, a shoe factory was founded in Nagorno-Karabakh but they sent ethnic Azeris from nearby regions in order to increase their share in the Armenian region. Their numbers grew by 17,000 in the 1970s.

1926: 112K Armenians (89%), 13K Azeris

1979: 123K Armenians (76%), 37K Azeris

1989: 145K Armenians (77%), 40K Azeris (many Armenians had already been forcibly ~~displayed~~ displaced by then)

[video in English,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meH6K6wFYAU) [video in Russian,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs332PgpV84)

PM Pashinyan's interview with the Wall Street Journal

REPORTER: Will Azerbaijan attack Armenia? What should your allies do to prevent it?

PASHINYAN: Hopefully we'll sign a peace agreement soon based on the achievements in Prague, Brussels, and Almaty: mutual recognition of territorial integrity, border delimitation, and unblocking of communications.

REPORTER: Why are you disappointed in Russia? What are your expectations from the West?

PASHINYAN: We are disappointed by CSTO's inaction despite Azerbaijan's invasion and occupation of Armenian territories starting in 2021. We also have a bilateral agreement with Russia but the steps described in the agreement also did not materialize. It raises serious questions. We must diversify our security system. We're trying to do that today.

REPORTER: But the fact is, you still have an AM-RU agreement and the Russian military base in Armenia. Is their presence a benefit or an obstacle?

PASHINYAN: Sadly we have not witnessed its benefits after the 2021 events.

REPORTER: Will you ask Russia to withdraw its military base?

PASHINYAN: We are not discussing that. We are focused on understanding what the reason behind their inaction is.

REPORTER: Russia's ex-president Medvedev insulted you and called for a coup in Armenia. What's your response? Why have they launched this campaign against you?

PASHINYAN: I won't respond to that publicly but I have already spoken about it. These events raise certain questions. Such conduct violates diplomatic norms and is an attempt to intervene in Armenia's internal politics.

REPORTER: What do you mean by diversifying your security system? Will you attempt to bring U.S. or Indian military bases?

PASHINYAN: A security system isn't necessarily a weapon or a military base. There are countries with no shortage of weapons, yet they lack safety. Armenia should surround itself in a security environment that's controllable and predictable. In turn, Armenia should become predictable to this environment. Our goal is not to import a weapon and fire at someone. *[goes on a massive fucking lecturing spree that lasts longer than the number of years Rupert Murdoch has spent looking for new wives].*

REPORTER: Should Russian FSB control the transit route passing through Syunik? Or should Armenia and Azerbaijan themselves control the connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan?

PASHINYAN: (1) The issue of connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan should be viewed as part of the wider effort to unblock the regional communication routes. (2) There is no document that states that Russia must have control over a part of Armenian territory. (3) No document states that Armenia should lose sovereignty over any land. (4) No document states that an Armenian agency cannot control the traffic. (5) Armenia is ready to allow Azerbaijan to contact with other countries through Armenia, in exchange for Armenia connecting to other states through Azerbaijan. We call this project a Crossroads of Peace.

REPORTER: Why is Armenia still a member of CSTO?

PASHINYAN: We are discussing issues internally to ensure that Armenia, Russia, and CSTO understand each other. More work is necessary before making any decisions.

REPORTER: What will be the fate of 100,000+ refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh?

PASHINYAN: Armenia will create the conditions for them to live and prosper in Armenia if they do not receive an opportunity to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. It greatly depends on the guarantees that Azerbaijan can offer to refugees who wish to return, and the international community's response. However, because of the recent ethnic cleansing and policies that caused hunger, it will be difficult to convince refugees to return even if realistic opportunities are granted to them.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LBmlRkxFw) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2akAKxisFVM) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPw8IsDL9Ws) [source,](https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/armenia-seeks-western-support-as-relations-with-russia-deteriorate-cadce421)

anti-corruption: authorities say the Children's World building located in downtown Yerevan was illegally sold to a company belonging to Ara Abrahamyan, the head of the Union of Armenians of Russia

This cultural-historical monument belonged to Yerevan's Kentron district and was sold to Russia-based Soglasiye-Armenia company in violation of the land code, said the authorities on Thursday. A criminal case is initiated into "illegal privatization".

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenian_prosecutors_open_criminal_case_into_illegal_privatization_of_former_children_s_world_buildi/)

anti-corruption: former prime minister Hovik Abrahamyan is going through a big-asset forfeiture investigation

Ex-PM Abrahamyan and his family will have to prove that the following assets they own were not obtained with the help of embezzlement: 59 real estate properties, 4 vehicles, shares in 20 companies in Armenia and Russia, properties worth $4 million, ownership of ~$16 million that he lent to various businesses. Prosecutors also demand Abrahamyan to separately pay $52 million. The case has reached the court.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbevj4D_s0o?t=10)

Armenia simplifies the procedure for obtaining citizenship

>not only children whose parents are citizens of Armenia, but also parents whose children are citizens of Armenia are eligible to obtain Armenian citizenship

>adult foreign nationals will be eligible to apply for citizenship if one of their parents has Armenian citizenship

>permanent residence in the territory of the country for one year is a basis for obtaining citizenship

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/society/armenia_simplifies_procedure_for_obtaining_citizenship/)

top 10 biggest taxpayer corporations in the first 9 months

(10) JTI Armenia ֏13.9b

(9) Masis tobacco ֏15.7b

(8) CPS oil ֏16.6b

(7) Ardshinbank ֏21.3b

(6) Ameriabank ֏22.8b

(5) Pretty Way ֏30b (import-export reseller)

(4) Mobile Centre Art ֏30b (import-export reseller)

(3) Grand Tobacco ֏31b

(2) Gszprom Armenia ֏39.5b

(1) Zangezur copper ֏52.4b

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_s_1_000_largest_corporate_taxpayers_paid_almost_amd_1_3_trillion_in_taxes_and_duties_in_9_mo/) [source,](https://hetq.am/hy/article/161517)

government wants 50% of electricity to come from renewables by 2030

The Government has updated its energy strategy. By 2040, Armenia wants to have 2000 MW of renewable energy, which is 2x the target set under the previous goal. Solar is the main goal, with the wind being considered as a potential source as well.

By 2030, over 50% of electricity should come from renewables, and 60% by 2040.

... sources of energy in 2023

Thermal power plants: 53%

Hydro power plants: 23%

Nuclear plant: 15%

Solar plants: 9%

Wind plants: 0.02%

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/technology/government_more_than_half_of_electricity_to_be_consumed_in_armenia_by_2030_is_to_provided_by_renewab/)

a visual library of popular books

https://thelibrarymap.com/

find the right book by selecting the genre, type of plot, mood, etc.

https://www.whichbook.net/mood-emotion

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/17hgg50/the_september_armed_clashes_near_capital/