Armenian News... TWO ARMENIAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN CLASHES WITH AZERBAIJAN NaharNet, Lebanon - And More News
Jan 21 2015
Azerbaijani forces on Wednesday killed two Armenian soldiers in
clashes with Armenian troops, officials said as tensions escalated
over the disputed Nagorny Karabakh.
"Azerbaijani armed forces attempted to attack Armenia's defensive
positions" at the Karabakh front line, the breakaway region's defense
ministry said in a statement.
The ethnic-Armenian Karabakh army's "serviceman Nahapet Asatrian,
33, was killed in action."
In a separate incident across the Armenian-Azerbaijani border,
35-year-old Armenian army soldier Arman Udumian, "died of mortal
wounds as Azerbaijan violated ceasefire," the defense ministry in
Yerevan said.
Azerbaijan is locked in a years-long conflict with Armenia over
Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan.
Sparking fears of a fresh escalation, clashes between Azerbaijani
and Armenian forces intensified in January following an unprecedented
spiral of violence last year.
Two Karabakh soldiers were reportedly killed in similar incidents on
Tuesday and Saturday.
Ethnic Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan seized control of the
territory during a 1990s war that left some 30,000 dead.
Despite years of negotiations, the two sides have not yet signed a
final peace deal, with Karabakh internationally recognized as part
of Azerbaijan.
Baku, whose military spending exceeds Armenia's entire state budget,
has threatened to take back the region by force if negotiations fail
to yield results.
Armenia, which is heavily armed by Russia, says it could crush any
offensive.
armradio.am
ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS AND BOOKS DONATED TO MATENADARAN
23 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The books donated to the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora by
Aleppo-Armenian Sose Paronyan were handed over to Matenadaran in a
solemn ceremony today.
Sose Paronyan's ancestors took the precious books from Kharberd to
Aleppo during the bloody days of the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking at the event were Armenian Minister of Diaspora Hranush
Hakobyan, Director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan and others.
armradio.am
GRAVESTONE OF ARMENIAN ARCHITECT GARABET BALYAN
FOUND AT CONSTRUCTION SITE IN ISTANBUL
23 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The lost gravestone of Garabet Balyan, the architect of the Dolmabahce
Palace, and a member of the Balyan family praised by Turkish President
Erdogan as 'competent masters' of their art, was discovered at an
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality construction site in Kartal,
Agos reports.
On 6 June 2014, at the opening of the renovated Ortaköy Mosque,
Erdogan made a speech in which he praised Nigogos Balyan, the architect
of the mosque, and a member of the Balyan family, with the words,
"It was an Armenian architect who created this work of art. Our
forefathers displayed a different mentality in selecting him, and
they gave the job to a competent master."
The lost gravestone of Garabet Balyan, the architect of the Dolmabahce
Palace, among the symbolic monuments of Istanbul, was discovered at
an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality construction site in Kartal.
It is well known that many significant 19th century buildings in
Istanbul are the work of architects from the Balyan family. Garabet
Balyan was the architect of historically significant buildings such
as the Dolmabahce Palace, the GumuÅ~_suyu Military Hospital and the
Dolmabahce Valide Sultan Mosque.
The gravestone was found in the area between the buildings on the
construction site used for many years by the IBB after they were
demolished. Other gravestones and epitaphs featuring Armenian script
were also discovered in addition to Balyan's gravestone.
23 Jan 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The lost gravestone of Garabet Balyan, the architect of the Dolmabahce
Palace, and a member of the Balyan family praised by Turkish President
Erdogan as 'competent masters' of their art, was discovered at an
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality construction site in Kartal,
Agos reports.
On 6 June 2014, at the opening of the renovated Ortaköy Mosque,
Erdogan made a speech in which he praised Nigogos Balyan, the architect
of the mosque, and a member of the Balyan family, with the words,
"It was an Armenian architect who created this work of art. Our
forefathers displayed a different mentality in selecting him, and
they gave the job to a competent master."
The lost gravestone of Garabet Balyan, the architect of the Dolmabahce
Palace, among the symbolic monuments of Istanbul, was discovered at
an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality construction site in Kartal.
It is well known that many significant 19th century buildings in
Istanbul are the work of architects from the Balyan family. Garabet
Balyan was the architect of historically significant buildings such
as the Dolmabahce Palace, the GumuÅ~_suyu Military Hospital and the
Dolmabahce Valide Sultan Mosque.
The gravestone was found in the area between the buildings on the
construction site used for many years by the IBB after they were
demolished. Other gravestones and epitaphs featuring Armenian script
were also discovered in addition to Balyan's gravestone.
arka.am
DIASPORA ARMENIANS CAN BUY HOMES IN ARMENIA
ELECTRONICALLY
YEREVAN, January 23. / ARKA /. Ethnic Armenians living in other
countries will be able to buy real estate in Armenia without having
to arrive here, head of the State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre
Martin Sargsyan said today.
He said this will become possible later this year when his agency
opens its offices in several foreign countries with strong Armenian
communities.
According to him, there is such a demand and having offices in
these countries will greatly facilitate all related procedures. He
said a similar system of electronic registration of real estate
transactions is available as part of an agreement between Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Sargsyan also said that 39,221 real estate transactions were recorded
in 2014 - 8.3% more than in 2013. Some 15,911 transactions were
registered in Yerevan alone - 8.4% more than in 2013.
arka.am
Armenia had its level of grain self-sufficiency in 2014 reach
51% from 36% in 2010
YEREVAN, January 21. / ARKA /. Armenia had its level of grain
self-sufficiency to reach 51% in 2014 from 36% in 2010, the government
press office said following a meeting Wednesday, chaired by prime
minister Hovik Abrahamyan that was convened to discuss preparations
for the spring agricultural season.
It was stated that government programs designed to provide land users
with seeds, fertilizers and diesel fuel at reasonable prices, as well
as projects aimed to boost livestock breeding and infrastructures had
significantly contributed to progress in the field, including an
increase in cereal production.
According to agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan, the total area of
cultivated lands increased last year by 15,000 hectares, contributing
to a significant increase in the production of various agricultural
products.
He said the second phase of a World Bank-financed program for creation
of cooperatives will be launched this year, involving about 100
communities. He said the first phase involved 50 communities where
cooperatives were set up.
Besides, five new butcheries are expected to start operations this
year. The meeting looked also into the preparations for the beginning
of the irrigation season.
Summing up the meeting, Hovik Abrahamyan stressed the importance of
effective and coordinated work of government agencies and provincial
administrations, urging decision-makers to be proactive in addressing
the problems and challenges, saying the government is ready to assist
in solving them.
armenianow.com
Economic Concerns: Armenia looking for development strategy
in conditions of EEU membership
21.01.15
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
During the past few days Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has
been holding daily meetings at which, according to official reports,
ways of developing the economy, promoting exports and other issues are
discussed.
The Armenian economy has appeared on the zero point after the
country's accession to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
January 2, 2015, which was supposed to become the starting point of a
new, Eurasian Armenian economy has generated more questions than
provided answers, especially that the key member of the Union, Russia,
is experiencing a major economic downturn.
The Armenian economy has so far been built on a simple trade "balance"
- Armenia exports labor, mainly to Russia, receiving private
remittances from its labor force - about $1 billion a year, which
ensures demand on the country's consumer market that is covered by
imports.
This scheme has made it possible for Armenia not to invest in the real
sector of the economy, but provide a fairly stable banking system
through which transfers were made, as well as trade, while the most
part of social obligations and state reserves have been ensured due to
external borrowing from the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund.
After Russia's economy took a turn for the worse in connection with
falling international oil prices and Western sanctions, the Armenian
economic scheme began to falter. First, the volume of transfers from
Russia decreased, then some of the seasonal migrant workers stopped
going to Russia for work, and finally investments of Russian companies
that have a monopoly on the basic infrastructures in Armenia were
discontinued.
At the same time, formal accession to the EEU has led to serious
problems in the export and import to "third countries", which
nullifies the main export of Armenia - mining industry products - to
Europe.
In these conditions the Armenian government has succeeded in
"suspending" the economy for a while. Loans from international
financial institutions received at the end of 2014 for now allow the
government to fulfill its social obligations. But businesses have
appeared in stagnation, especially after a sharp devaluation of the
national currency, the dram, last month.
Banks have stopped lending in drams, and the currency exchange rate
seems to have been artificially fixed and has no relation to the
market. In this situation the government is trying to develop some
mechanisms, but for survival rather than development.
The other EEU member countries, Belarus and Kazakhstan, declare about
their plans to work for the diversification of their economic ties and
development of relations with the West. Armenia is not making such
statements yet, although literally during these days in Brussels
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is holding talks on a new
relationship with the European Union. These relations will also have
an economic component.
It is clear that if the government of Armenia fails to fulfill its
social obligations even for a month, there may be a social unrest in
the country, especially that the critical mass of potential migrant
workers is staying home this year and these people need jobs.
RFE/RL Report
Government Approves Tax Break For Foreign Investors
Sargis Harutyunyan
23.01.2015
In an effort to attract more foreign investment, the Armenian
government unveiled on Thursday a bill that would all but exempt
large-scale exporters from the country's 20 percent corporate profit
tax.
The bill approved during a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamian sets a profit tax rate of just 2 percent for
manufacturing companies exporting at least 50 billion drams ($106
million) worth of goods other than metals and ores annually. Officials
said it will be sent to the Armenian parliament dominated by
government loyalists in the next few days.
"This is one of the unconventional government steps aimed at
stimulating exports," Abrahamian told ministers. He said greater
exports would mean more jobs and other tax revenue.
According to the National Statistical Service (NSS), Armenian exports
rose by 2.7 percent in January-November 2014 to almost $1.4 billion
drams. Copper, other base metals and ore concentrates accounted for 45
percent of the export revenue. The proposed tax break will not apply
to the companies manufacturing them.
Deputy Finance Minister Vakhtang Mirumian, who submitted the bill to
the government for approval, said that no company involved in the
other sectors of Armenia's economy boasts exports worth 50 billion
drams or more at present. "This [tax privilege] is primarily geared
towards foreign investors that would come to Armenia, invest here and
export their products," he told reporters.
Mirumian said the government is now holding "tentative negotiations"
with some potential investors. But he declined to name them or give
other details.
Over the past year, President Serzh Sarkisian has repeatedly urged
foreign investors to take advantage of Armenia's accession to the
Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). He has argued that
manufacturing firms set up by them would have tariff-free access to
the Russian market.
Raffi Mkhjian, a businessman heading the Armenian Union of Exporters,
questioned the wisdom of the tax break initiated by the
government. Mkhjian said the government should mainly focus on small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its efforts to boost
exports. "It's SMEs that can save us today," he told RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 21 2015
Armenians, outlander in Caucasus, proves lie detector
21 January 2015, 14:10 (GMT+04:00)
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
The lie detector, a technology developed by the Caucasian History
Center to unmask the Armenian falsifications, is a main "gravedigger"
for the Armenian historiography, said a high-level Azerbaijani
official.
Fuad Akhundov, Head of the Lie Detector Project, Deputy Department
Head of the Presidential Administration, said the survey based on that
technology has proved the absence of any tie of the words "Lavash" and
"Duduk" with the Armenian culture and heritage.
"The word "Lavash" can be traced back in Turkic chronicles in VII-XIII
centuries but it is not seen at all even in the Armenian dictionaries
of the XVII- XIX centuries. The word "Lavash" emerged in the Armenian
culture only hundred years after their move to the Caucasus, when they
began their efforts to armenize the territory in early XX century.
This fact clearly shows who is a local of the Caucasus and who is an
outlander," Akhundov said in his interview with Interfax Azerbaijan.
Akhundov noted that none of the 18 Armenian dictionaries, which were
published between the years of 1698 and 1906, contains the word
"Lavash" and even nothing about the "Armenian Duduk."
"It once more proves that the Armenians have adopted the Lavash, Duduk
and other examples of the cultural and spiritual heritage from the
Turkic people much later. The mentioned 18 dictionaries bear the
characteristics not only of the linguistic, but also historical
documents," Akhundov added.
Our technology destroys the postulates of Armenians about their
autochthony in the Caucasus and belonging of all the surrounding
things, even including the lands, which we know in regard to the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, said Akhundov
Akhundov added that the next survey will be co-conducted with the
Georgian scientists to investigate the Georgian words also claimed by
the Armenians.
"Collaboration with the Georgian colleagues is particularly topical
given the recent claims of Armenians for 450 Georgian churches,
similar to their appetite for tens of the ancient Albanian churches in
the territory of Azerbaijan. I'm sure that the outcomes of the joint
tests will inflict the same blows on the Armenian falsifiers,"
Akhundov said.
Our ethno-linguistic method will again and again prove the alienage of
the Armenians to our region, and at the same will unmask their
ungrounded claims not only for the historical, religious and cultural
values of the indigenous nations, but also the lands, including the
Nagorno Karabakh.
Akhundov claimed that no one can disprove the new technology as long
as this linguistic detector provides and will provide the results with
absolute precision.
"We will keep on refuting the all older and possible claims of the
Armenians for the history and culture of the neighboring nations,"
Akhundov said.
Armenia has recently appealed to the UNESCO in an effort to present
Lavash as a typical example of its cuisine. However, the UNSECO passed
a resolution to acknowledge it as a common heritage of several
regional countries, after reconsidering the issue based on
Azerbaijan's appeal.
Revealing the original root of Lavash, Kamran Imanov, Director of
Azerbaijan's Copyright Agency, said the word Lavash comes from the
word "ash" that means to cook and etymologically belongs to Turkic
world.
YEREVAN, January 23. / ARKA /. Ethnic Armenians living in other
countries will be able to buy real estate in Armenia without having
to arrive here, head of the State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre
Martin Sargsyan said today.
He said this will become possible later this year when his agency
opens its offices in several foreign countries with strong Armenian
communities.
According to him, there is such a demand and having offices in
these countries will greatly facilitate all related procedures. He
said a similar system of electronic registration of real estate
transactions is available as part of an agreement between Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Sargsyan also said that 39,221 real estate transactions were recorded
in 2014 - 8.3% more than in 2013. Some 15,911 transactions were
registered in Yerevan alone - 8.4% more than in 2013.
arka.am
Armenia had its level of grain self-sufficiency in 2014 reach
51% from 36% in 2010
YEREVAN, January 21. / ARKA /. Armenia had its level of grain
self-sufficiency to reach 51% in 2014 from 36% in 2010, the government
press office said following a meeting Wednesday, chaired by prime
minister Hovik Abrahamyan that was convened to discuss preparations
for the spring agricultural season.
It was stated that government programs designed to provide land users
with seeds, fertilizers and diesel fuel at reasonable prices, as well
as projects aimed to boost livestock breeding and infrastructures had
significantly contributed to progress in the field, including an
increase in cereal production.
According to agriculture minister Sergo Karapetyan, the total area of
cultivated lands increased last year by 15,000 hectares, contributing
to a significant increase in the production of various agricultural
products.
He said the second phase of a World Bank-financed program for creation
of cooperatives will be launched this year, involving about 100
communities. He said the first phase involved 50 communities where
cooperatives were set up.
Besides, five new butcheries are expected to start operations this
year. The meeting looked also into the preparations for the beginning
of the irrigation season.
Summing up the meeting, Hovik Abrahamyan stressed the importance of
effective and coordinated work of government agencies and provincial
administrations, urging decision-makers to be proactive in addressing
the problems and challenges, saying the government is ready to assist
in solving them.
armenianow.com
Economic Concerns: Armenia looking for development strategy
in conditions of EEU membership
21.01.15
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
During the past few days Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has
been holding daily meetings at which, according to official reports,
ways of developing the economy, promoting exports and other issues are
discussed.
The Armenian economy has appeared on the zero point after the
country's accession to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
January 2, 2015, which was supposed to become the starting point of a
new, Eurasian Armenian economy has generated more questions than
provided answers, especially that the key member of the Union, Russia,
is experiencing a major economic downturn.
The Armenian economy has so far been built on a simple trade "balance"
- Armenia exports labor, mainly to Russia, receiving private
remittances from its labor force - about $1 billion a year, which
ensures demand on the country's consumer market that is covered by
imports.
This scheme has made it possible for Armenia not to invest in the real
sector of the economy, but provide a fairly stable banking system
through which transfers were made, as well as trade, while the most
part of social obligations and state reserves have been ensured due to
external borrowing from the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund.
After Russia's economy took a turn for the worse in connection with
falling international oil prices and Western sanctions, the Armenian
economic scheme began to falter. First, the volume of transfers from
Russia decreased, then some of the seasonal migrant workers stopped
going to Russia for work, and finally investments of Russian companies
that have a monopoly on the basic infrastructures in Armenia were
discontinued.
At the same time, formal accession to the EEU has led to serious
problems in the export and import to "third countries", which
nullifies the main export of Armenia - mining industry products - to
Europe.
In these conditions the Armenian government has succeeded in
"suspending" the economy for a while. Loans from international
financial institutions received at the end of 2014 for now allow the
government to fulfill its social obligations. But businesses have
appeared in stagnation, especially after a sharp devaluation of the
national currency, the dram, last month.
Banks have stopped lending in drams, and the currency exchange rate
seems to have been artificially fixed and has no relation to the
market. In this situation the government is trying to develop some
mechanisms, but for survival rather than development.
The other EEU member countries, Belarus and Kazakhstan, declare about
their plans to work for the diversification of their economic ties and
development of relations with the West. Armenia is not making such
statements yet, although literally during these days in Brussels
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is holding talks on a new
relationship with the European Union. These relations will also have
an economic component.
It is clear that if the government of Armenia fails to fulfill its
social obligations even for a month, there may be a social unrest in
the country, especially that the critical mass of potential migrant
workers is staying home this year and these people need jobs.
RFE/RL Report
Government Approves Tax Break For Foreign Investors
Sargis Harutyunyan
23.01.2015
In an effort to attract more foreign investment, the Armenian
government unveiled on Thursday a bill that would all but exempt
large-scale exporters from the country's 20 percent corporate profit
tax.
The bill approved during a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime
Minister Hovik Abrahamian sets a profit tax rate of just 2 percent for
manufacturing companies exporting at least 50 billion drams ($106
million) worth of goods other than metals and ores annually. Officials
said it will be sent to the Armenian parliament dominated by
government loyalists in the next few days.
"This is one of the unconventional government steps aimed at
stimulating exports," Abrahamian told ministers. He said greater
exports would mean more jobs and other tax revenue.
According to the National Statistical Service (NSS), Armenian exports
rose by 2.7 percent in January-November 2014 to almost $1.4 billion
drams. Copper, other base metals and ore concentrates accounted for 45
percent of the export revenue. The proposed tax break will not apply
to the companies manufacturing them.
Deputy Finance Minister Vakhtang Mirumian, who submitted the bill to
the government for approval, said that no company involved in the
other sectors of Armenia's economy boasts exports worth 50 billion
drams or more at present. "This [tax privilege] is primarily geared
towards foreign investors that would come to Armenia, invest here and
export their products," he told reporters.
Mirumian said the government is now holding "tentative negotiations"
with some potential investors. But he declined to name them or give
other details.
Over the past year, President Serzh Sarkisian has repeatedly urged
foreign investors to take advantage of Armenia's accession to the
Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). He has argued that
manufacturing firms set up by them would have tariff-free access to
the Russian market.
Raffi Mkhjian, a businessman heading the Armenian Union of Exporters,
questioned the wisdom of the tax break initiated by the
government. Mkhjian said the government should mainly focus on small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its efforts to boost
exports. "It's SMEs that can save us today," he told RFE/RL's Armenian
service (Azatutyun.am).
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 21 2015
Armenians, outlander in Caucasus, proves lie detector
21 January 2015, 14:10 (GMT+04:00)
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
The lie detector, a technology developed by the Caucasian History
Center to unmask the Armenian falsifications, is a main "gravedigger"
for the Armenian historiography, said a high-level Azerbaijani
official.
Fuad Akhundov, Head of the Lie Detector Project, Deputy Department
Head of the Presidential Administration, said the survey based on that
technology has proved the absence of any tie of the words "Lavash" and
"Duduk" with the Armenian culture and heritage.
"The word "Lavash" can be traced back in Turkic chronicles in VII-XIII
centuries but it is not seen at all even in the Armenian dictionaries
of the XVII- XIX centuries. The word "Lavash" emerged in the Armenian
culture only hundred years after their move to the Caucasus, when they
began their efforts to armenize the territory in early XX century.
This fact clearly shows who is a local of the Caucasus and who is an
outlander," Akhundov said in his interview with Interfax Azerbaijan.
Akhundov noted that none of the 18 Armenian dictionaries, which were
published between the years of 1698 and 1906, contains the word
"Lavash" and even nothing about the "Armenian Duduk."
"It once more proves that the Armenians have adopted the Lavash, Duduk
and other examples of the cultural and spiritual heritage from the
Turkic people much later. The mentioned 18 dictionaries bear the
characteristics not only of the linguistic, but also historical
documents," Akhundov added.
Our technology destroys the postulates of Armenians about their
autochthony in the Caucasus and belonging of all the surrounding
things, even including the lands, which we know in regard to the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, said Akhundov
Akhundov added that the next survey will be co-conducted with the
Georgian scientists to investigate the Georgian words also claimed by
the Armenians.
"Collaboration with the Georgian colleagues is particularly topical
given the recent claims of Armenians for 450 Georgian churches,
similar to their appetite for tens of the ancient Albanian churches in
the territory of Azerbaijan. I'm sure that the outcomes of the joint
tests will inflict the same blows on the Armenian falsifiers,"
Akhundov said.
Our ethno-linguistic method will again and again prove the alienage of
the Armenians to our region, and at the same will unmask their
ungrounded claims not only for the historical, religious and cultural
values of the indigenous nations, but also the lands, including the
Nagorno Karabakh.
Akhundov claimed that no one can disprove the new technology as long
as this linguistic detector provides and will provide the results with
absolute precision.
"We will keep on refuting the all older and possible claims of the
Armenians for the history and culture of the neighboring nations,"
Akhundov said.
Armenia has recently appealed to the UNESCO in an effort to present
Lavash as a typical example of its cuisine. However, the UNSECO passed
a resolution to acknowledge it as a common heritage of several
regional countries, after reconsidering the issue based on
Azerbaijan's appeal.
Revealing the original root of Lavash, Kamran Imanov, Director of
Azerbaijan's Copyright Agency, said the word Lavash comes from the
word "ash" that means to cook and etymologically belongs to Turkic
world.
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