Armenian News... A Topalian... Trade expansion
PanArmenian, Armenia
Sept 10 2018
Armenia, Georgia eye $1 billion trade in coming years
Armenia and Georgia have agreed to expand trade to $1 billion in the coming years, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a joint press conference with his Georgian counterpart Mamuka Bakhtadze on Monday, September 10.
Pashinyan said the two sides need to have a roadmap to “move towards that goal and accomplish the task.”
Bakhtadze arrived in Yerevan on Monday and has already met Pashinyan and President Armen Sarkissian.
Trade between Armenia and Georgia amounted to $249 million in 2017, up by 4.8% against the previous year.
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 10 2018
Baroness Caroline Cox visits Artsakh
On September 10, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) Masis Mayilian received a delegation led by Baroness Caroline Cox, member of the UK House of Lords.
Welcoming Caroline Cox’s visit to Artsakh, the Minister noted its importance from the point of view of observing the current situation in the republic and the achievements in different spheres. The Minister highly appreciated her consistent efforts aimed at protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the citizens of Artsakh abroad, raising awareness of the international community on Artsakh, disseminating truthful information about the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, as well as solving humanitarian issues in the republic.
During the meeting, Masis Mayilian touched upon the current stage of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict settlement process, presented the achievements in the international recognition of Artsakh and decentralized cooperation with the subjects of different countries of the world, as well as answered the questions of the delegation members.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh awarded Baroness Caroline Cox with the memorial medal dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Artsakh Foreign Ministry.
Sept 10 2018
In Moscow Pashinyan gets along with Putin, clashes with Russian-Armenian philanthropist
The businessman accused Pashinyan of “disrespecting” foreign investors.
Ani Mejlumyan
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Moscow on September 8 for his third meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the last four months. Pashinyan said the frequency of the meetings testified to the strength of the relationship, but he also tangled with a prominent Armenian-Russian businessman and philanthropist who accused Armenia's new leadership of damaging the country's investment climate.
The Armenia-Russia relationship is in a turbulent phase, as the Kremlin mistrusts the new leadership in Yerevan, which is populated by many pro-Western liberals.
Sharpening Russian concerns are the criminal charges that Armenian investigators have filed against Yuri Khachaturov, the current general secretary of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military bloc, for his role in the violent crackdown against protesters in Yerevan in 2008. Prosecutors also have filed charges against former defense minister Mikael Harutyunyan, and Russia has refused to extradite him.
Nevertheless, the official part of Pashinyan's Moscow visit appears to have gone smoothly. “We didn't discuss private issues,” Pashinyan told journalists after the meeting with Putin, when asked about the Harutyunyan case. “I think it's a matter of further cooperation between the Armenian and Russian law enforcement agencies."
Alongside Putin following their meeting, Pashinyan alluded to the rocky period in relations but chalked it up to uninformed speculation. “Despite certain pessimism evident in both the Armenian and Russian media and in social networks, it is my belief that our relations are developing dynamically … I am sure that these issues will be resolved and we will continue to base our allied relations on mutual respect for the interests and the sovereignty of our countries, and the principle of non-interference.”
“There is no need to qualify our relations: they are very special,” Putin said, for his part. “It has been so for centuries, not just since you and I have started working together.”
The reception was less cordial with Ruben Vardanyan, a billionaire businessman-philanthropist, who clashed with Pashinyan at a forum with Russian-Armenian business leaders, calling the new leader “disrespectful.”
At issue was the new government's closure of the Center for Strategic Initiatives, a government-run effort to attract foreign investment that opened in 2016 and with which Vardanyan has worked.
The Center was founded and chaired by former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, of whom Vardanyan was an outspoken supporter. “If Karen Karapetyan and his team succeed, that means we all succeed, and vice versa,” Vardanyan said in 2016. “His failure will be our failure as well, and Karen Karapetyan’s success is vital for all of us, and I would especially emphasize, for Artsakh.” (Artsakh is the Armenian word for Nagorno-Karabakh, the territory disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.)
"My friends and I have invested more than $600 million in Armenia over the past 18 years. It's not a small amount. Do whatever you want. I just think you need to maintain dialogue,” Vardanyan said at the meeting with Pashinyan. “You have the right to do whatever you want with your organization, but if it’s created jointly with the private sector, and you do not even ask before closing it, but you notify us. To say the least this is disrespectful."
Pashinyan justified the move by saying it was using state money without delivering results. "People working in these centers and foundations receive two to three times more wages than ministers and the prime minister, and they do nothing," Pashinyan said. “From now on nobody will get money for doing nothing.”
Vardanyan also asked Pashinyan if he could guarantee “predictability” for business in Armenia, and Pashinyan fired back. "Now, different people, the press, talk about instability, civil war, I don’t understand. Today, the government in Armenia belongs to the people and it will always be that way. You want me to announce myself a lifelong monarch, so you could say there is a stability. It won’t happen."
Vardanyan is well known in Armenia for his philanthropic work. He founded the IDeA foundation, which conducts development projects and holds the the high-profile Aurora Prize awards. He is also a founder of the United World College in Dilijan, an elite school.
He also has relationships with the leaders that Pashinyan ousted, including Karapetyan and former president Serzh Sargsyan. In 2016, two Russian State Duma candidates of Armenian origin, Semyon Bagdasarov and Roman Babayan, received support from Armenia’s Presidential administration, Babayan's campaign manager told Eurasianet.
The Babayan campaign official said that at the request of the Sargsyan administration, both campaigns were funded by Russian-Armenian businessmen, including Ruben Vardanyan.
Vardanyan also is an investor in Lydian International, the company involved in the controversial Amulsar gold mining project.
Vardanyan's interests aside, official Armenian state statistics have indicated that foreign direct investment in the second trimester of 2018 – roughly coinciding with Pashinyan's time in office – is down 43.5 percent over the same period the year before.
With reporting by Grigor Atanesian. Ani Mejlumyan is a journalist based in Yerevan. Grigor Atanesian is a freelance journalist who covers Armenia.
PanArmenian, Armenia
Sept 10 2018
Baku feels uneasy over Armenia PM's Karabakh statement
Baku feels uneasy over Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's latest statement concerning the future status of Nagorno Karabakh.
Pashinian said on Saturday, September 8 that he saw Nagorno-Karabakh as "part of Armenia" in the future.
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmat Haciyev said on Sunday that Pashinian's remarks at a meeting with ethnic Armenian businessmen in Moscow could damage international efforts to resolve the decades-old dispute over the region.
"The path toward this status may consist of more steps than one. It may consist of two or three steps, but our vision of the future is definitely this. And there can be no doubt about that," Pashinian said.
Haciyev accused Armenia's leadership of stoking tensions ahead of a planned meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
"We would like to reiterate that Armenia and its leadership bear all responsibility for escalation of [the] situation with such incendiary statements," Haciyev said.
iTel.am, Armenia
Sept 10 2018
Bluenero: Armenian startup presents the world’s first smart aquarium
Narine Daneghyan
Armenian startup Bluenero introduces the world’s first smart aquarium that makes keeping fish easier and more fun.
Bluenero CEO Vahe Tumanyan has told Itel.am that they started a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which allows to preorder the aquarium.
The concept
According to Vahe Tumanyan, aquarium industry is growing worldwide.
“We have reimagined the fish tank, giving it a classic, compact design on one hand and making it a smart, modern, all-in-one system on the other. Now people who want to keep fish can take care of them with their smartphone from work or any other place. No more worrying about the cleanliness of water and algae growth in your aquarium,” said Tumanyan.
The special features
Bluenero is designed to fit both saltwater and freshwater fish.
The Bluenero app for the aquarium makes it easier to feed the fish on time and refill the stock once a week, while the premium CREE LED stripe creates favorable conditions for the plants and corals.
The built-in HD camera allows watching the fish even if you are at a significant distance.
The technology
Bluenero’s aquariums are made of stainless steel and high-quality acryl. They also reduce noise level thanks to a special premium filter.
The price and types of product
Bluenero smart aquarium is available in several sizes and prices: USD 199 for 8-gallon tank, USD 399 (16 gal), USD 599 (26 gal) and USD 749 (36 gal).
The startup also sells filter parts, salinity sensors, Bluenero brand tools, etc.
The first orders are expected to be delivered in September 2019.
Prophet Muhammad’s Rarely-Known Decree To the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN
For many years, I have heard that there had been written communication between the Prophet Muhammad and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, but I had not seen any of the documents to that effect.
Two months ago, I read a fascinating article published in the Armenian newspaper Aztag in Beirut, Lebanon, by Dr. Garbis Harboyan of Montreal, Canada, who had uncovered the details of the communication between Prophet Muhammad and the then Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and their successors.
Dr. Harboyan mentioned his sources as: Gregory Krikorian’s, “Through the eye of an Armenian needle,” published by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in 2002. Krikorian had stated that his book was the summary and English translation of “History of Jerusalem,” a two-volume, 1385-page book by Dikran Sayalanians, published by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1931. Dr. Harboyan also mentioned that he had recently seen the book, “Armenian Art Treasures of Jerusalem,” by Bezalel Narkiss, Michael E. Stone, and Avedis Sanjian, published in New York, in 1979, which included a copy of Prophet
Muhammad’s decree to the Armenian Patriarchate.
The Armenian Patriarchate was established in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago. Many Armenians had gone on pilgrimage to Jerusalem after converting to Christianity in 301 AD. They had built a part of Sourp Hagop Convent in 420 AD. By the sixth Century, Armenians had constructed 66 religious institutions in Jerusalem.
In 626 AD, the Armenian Patriarch Apraham of Jerusalem, seeing the looming dangers of Islamic expansion and conquest, went to the Holy Islamic city of Mecca with a delegation of 40 prominent Armenians to meet with Prophet Muhammad to secure his protection.
Dr. Harboyan reported that the Prophet had welcomed the Armenian guests with affection, respect, and kindness, and listened to Patriarch Apraham’s suggestions. The Armenian delegation expressed its submission to the Prophet, readiness to cooperate with him, and sought his protection.
At the end of the meeting, Prophet Muhammad issued an decree which stated: “I, Muhammad, the son of Abdallah, prophet and servant of God, I pay my respect to Patriarch Apraham, I honor him and all archbishops, bishops, and priests in Jerusalem, Damascus, and Arab regions, in other words, those people who are subject to Jerusalem, such as Ethiopians, Copts, and Assyrians. I recognize and guarantee their monasteries, churches, educational centers, properties and lands. I, Prophet Muhammad, with the witness of God, and the 30 people around me, I grant my patronage and protection, and I dispense my mercy to the Armenian churches, wherever they may be, throughout Jerusalem, the Holy Tomb of Christ, Sourp Hagop Church, Bethlehem Church, all prayer houses, monasteries, Golgotha road, and the holy sites. I also secure and ensure that my protection also extends to Christian hills, valleys and Christian income-generating institutions. I declare all of this in my name as Prophet and in the name of my Muslim faithful.”
The Prophet Muhammad instructed his successors to respect his decree and execute it in all of its details. Present at that meeting was Omar the son of Khattab who became one of the Prophet’s successors and issued a similar decree confirming the Prophet’s decree.
Thus, the Prophet’s decree became the first official document confirming the status of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the original decree cannot be located in the Patriarchate’s archives. However, a yellowish copy exists in the Patriarchate’s Mardigian Museum.
When Omar took over as Khalif in 634 AD, he appointed Abu Obeid as the head of the army. Abu Obeid’s forces attacked Damascus and Jerusalem. The Greek Patriarch Sophronius and Armenian Patriarch Krikor met with Abu Obeid and informed him that occupying Jerusalem would enrage God, because Jerusalem is a holy city. Abu Obeid reported to Khalif Omar about his meeting with the two Patriarchs. Omar personally came to Jerusalem. The brother of the Greek Patriarch met with Omar and reminded him about the decree of Prophet Muhammad. Omar then issued his own decree and confirmed the Prophet’s decree. Omar entered Jerusalem with his followers, visited the religious sites, and suggested building a Mosque in a plot of land next to the church of Christ’s tomb. The Mosque was built in 935 AD and named “Al Omariye.” Omar allowed freedom for Christian worship, but forbade the ringing of church bells.
Omar was succeeded by Khalif Ali who also issued a decree for Armenians in Jerusalem, confirming the previous decrees by the Prophet and Omar.
In 1097 AD, the Crusaders invaded and liberated Jerusalem. In 1187 AD, Salahuddin al Ayoubi who is Kurdish and his family originated from Dvin in Armenia, occupied Jerusalem and expelled the majority of 100,000 Christians from the city. He took over all the Latin churches in Jerusalem and forbade church services. However, he granted Armenians partial freedom.
Armenian Patriarch Apraham with a group of his clergy met with Salahuddin and showed him Prophet Muhammad’s decree. Salahuddin then issued his own decree and confirmed the decrees issued by the Prophet and Khalifs Omar and Ali. Salahuddin particularly noted in his decree Armenians’ jurisdiction over churches, holy places, Sourp Hagop Convent, churches of Bethlehem and Nablus, the Holy Tomb, other holy sites, and especially Armenians’ freedom to worship. He also lowered the taxes on Armenian merchants and pilgrims.
In 1517 AD, Ottoman Sultan Selim occupied Jerusalem and issued his decree which confirmed the privileges bestowed upon the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem by Prophet Muhammad, Khalif Omar, and Salahuddin. Sultan Selim’s successor, Sultan Suleiman, issued his own decree reconfirming the Armenian rights in Jerusalem. Subsequent Sultans also issued decrees, such as Mehmed IV in 1659 AD, Sultan Mahmud I in 1735 AD, and Sultan Abdulmejid I in 1853 AD.
The Prophet Muhammad’s decree, besides being a valuable historical document, indicates that Armenian Christians and Muslims have enjoyed the most cordial relations from the ancient times to the present. Armenians need to publicize the Prophet’s crucial decree as well as those of his successors to counter the anti-Armenian propaganda spread by Turkey and Azerbaijan in the Islamic world.
Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Italy
Sept 10 2018
Armenia, a new type of tourism
Armine Avetisyan
The Armenian city of Gyumri has become a destination for many people from Central Asia. Tourism? In reality they are workers who need a passage "abroad" to obtain a reconfirmation of their visa in Russia
Gyumri, the second Armenian city, has become a unique resort for travellers from Central Asian countries – Tajiks and Uzbeks who have been working in Russia. The employees of the budget guesthouses confirm that they have Central Asian guests almost every day. They stay 1-3 days and leave quickly. These people are actually coming to Gyumri not to rest, but just to get permission to enter Russia.
Gyumri – haven for a migrant worker
“I learned about Gyumri 10 years ago, when I went to work in Russia for the first time. I worked as a labourer there. There were many Armenians, I made friends with one of the guys from Gyumri, he told me about his city, and I told him about Dushanbe”, said Sarkhat, 35, from Tajikistan – he visited Gyumri for the first time in his life.
But Sarkhat visited Gyumri not just for a holiday – he had to. He has left for Russia to work and the law requires him to cross the Russian border every four months to get a residence visa.
“We have to cross the border 3 times a year, it is quite expensive. At first I went home with great pleasure, I visited my family and relatives, but then, when I overcame the feeling of longing and started doing some accounting, I realised that most of the money I was earning was being wasted on the roads”.
“I have been working in Moscow for the last year. When it was time to cross the border, I bought a ticket to Moscow-Khudjand airport, it costs about 16,000 rubles; Moscow-Dushanbe costs more, about 20,000. Khudjand is about 300 km from Dushanbe; it's more affordable and there are several options. I spent about 600 dollars on my way home, and stayed in the homeland for about five days. Well, the journey took a long time and it turned out that I both lost my working days for which I was to be paid and spent a lot of money. That 600 dollars was a half-month salary”, says Sarkhat.
Just 50 dollars to Gyumri and back
At the end of 2016, the Pobeda airline started running regular flights between Moscow and Gyumri. The airline offers budget return tickets, e.g. without luggage, for about 50 dollars. The budget tickets are limited and it is necessary to book in advance.
“Russia-Ukraine relations are strained. In the past, migrant workers would travel to Ukraine for three to four months and then return to Russia; now, they come to Gyumri. Thanks to Pobeda, they can find low-cost tickets; the city is also a budget destination, where you can find cheap overnight accommodation", explains Gor Torosyan, director of the “Gyumri tour” company.
“Many people stay just one night. And one night in Gyumri is not expensive. We have guesthouses where overnight accommodation costs about 6-8 dollars per person. With this amount they can rent a bedroom for 3-5 people, with clean bedding and hygienic items. The bathroom and kitchen with hot and cold water are also included”, says Gor.
“Visitors learn about our guesthouse mainly through Booking.com. Many of them have liked our guesthouse and recommended it to their acquaintances”, says Karen Karlovich, deputy director of the Polish community in Armenia and manager of “Dom Polski” hostel.
The guesthouse used to be the Polish community's office in Gyumri. Since 2016, a part of the office was turned into a hostel – three rooms with ten beds. That year the Pope visited Armenia, and this visit increased the demand for hostels.
“Many Poles came, and there was a problem with overnight stays. The flow of migrant workers had already increased, and other tourists would also come. Now, life in our 'half-dead' city is more lively. The Tajiks and Uzbeks are not picky, they just want the place to be safe”, says Karlovich.
“We offer visitors rooms full of colors of Gyumri. Migrant workers rarely visit us, but our doors are open to everyone”, says the manager of “Chalet Gyumri” guesthouse.
The guesthouse has 3 bedrooms with 9 beds. It is not budget. A bed costs 10,000 drams, the whole room is 25,000 drams for 3 beds altogether.
“Migrant workers don’t stay more than one night. Some come late at night and leave immediately in the morning,” mentions Ani, adding that four guesthouses have already been opened in Gyumri over the past year, as demand is growing.
The development of informal business
“We have some special suggestions for Tajiks and Uzbeks who come for a day or two. We offer them a city tour, but contact with them is complicated, as many are already 'taken'”, mentions Gor. “Though we don’t have proof, there are rumours that airport employees and taxi drivers approach migrant workers quickly and offer overnight accommodation from 800 to 1,500 rubles. They convince them that they will not find a better option. Many even rent a house in the airport area for this hidden business”, says Gor.
“I have come to Gyumri from Moscow. But I'm from Tashkent. Moscow-Tashkent-Moscow costs about 400 dollars. I bought my ticket two months ago and came here for 40 dollars, now I’m going back. In Gyumri, the overnight stay is not too expensive. We came here with 4 friends. Yesterday, as soon as we landed, the taxi driver approached us and offered a flat for 80 dollars for one night. We went and looked at it, and it was a very comfortable place. Today we are going to go back; now we have come out to explore the city”, says Ruslan.
Ruslan notes that many of his friends also rent a house, and they are satisfied.
“We will stay one night; the important thing is to have a clean place and bathroom, to be able to take a shower. Many are concerned with security, but I don’t have such fears, I have no precious thing with me for which I can be plundered or killed”, jokes Ruslan.
In Gyumri not only accommodation is affordable, but also public transport and food, mention the migrant workers visiting Armenia for only one day.
“I have even decided to celebrate New Year in Gyumri. My wife and daughter will come to Moscow; from there, we will get to Gyumri. We will spend the holidays and return. I have calculated that to spend about 5 days here, including the ticket, the three of us need no more than 800 dollars, which is not much at all”, says Ruslan.
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 10 2018
Celebrated tightrope walker sees tradition disappearing in Armenia
Tatev Manukyan
Tightrope walking, the art of walking along a thin rope in the air, which was common in Armenia starting from the medieval period, is in danger of being forgotten in the country, according to the celebrated tightrope artist, magician, writer, Culture Figure of Armenia Vladimir Hakobyan
“We fail to present this peculiar piece of art to our nation. The ancient national tradition is disappearing,” he told Panoram.am.
The artist stressed the need to organize some 15-20 tightrope walking performances across Armenia’s towns and villages to have the tradition survive and spread.
“The Ministry of Culture, along with the Municipality, must provide full-fledged conditions for practicing this art form in any place,” the ropedancer stressed.
According to Mr. Hakobyan, today the people engaged in the culture sphere ‘only possess diplomas and do not seem to have some insight into all its braches.’
“Tightrope walking fails to develop in Armenia since people cannot offer free performances given their financial condition. We lack both funds and cadres. But this genre will boost in case of state support,” he said, expressing hope they will manage to find artists who will be able to practice ropedancing when the Circus opens in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.
The artist also attached importance to including tightrope walking in the state cultural programs.
When asked about the places of his performances, as well as the payment he receives for each of them, Mr. Hakobyan said he receives invitations from different regions of Armenia and Artsakh especially during celebrations of national holidays, with the payment depending on the distance.
He unveiled plans to continue practicing his craft for eight more years until he turns 80 to show the whole world that “Armenia puts the arts, culture above all else.”
Atlas Obscura
Sept 10 2018
Khash
In Armenia, hangovers call for a hearty soup of boiled cow hooves
If you find yourself suffering after a long night of drinking in Armenia, do what the locals do and tuck into a gelatinous bowl of khash. This particular dish is found in various forms across the Caucasus region, but packs a hearty, caloric punch regardless of the locale.
This traditional dish of boiled-down cow hooves (and sometimes other parts, such as tripe) was originally served during the winter months as a savory comfort food. Commonly served in the morning alongside mulberry vodka (for some “hair of the dog” hangover relief), Armenia’s warmed stew has a tasty and savory flavor. Depending on where you’ve ordered it, you’ll be served a variety of side items to add to the bowl of strong-smelling cow hooves, such as garlic, vinegar, cinnamon, and radishes.
Look through the medieval Armenian khash recipes, and you’ll notice the emphasis on the cleaning of the hooves. The animal’s feet are cleaned, cut, and kept under cold running water for 10 hours before the boiling process can begin (the dish’s name originates from the Armenian verb khashél, which means “to boil”). Once the meat has been thoroughly cleaned, it is then boiled until the water becomes gelatinous and the meat begins to fall off the bones.
The next time you’ve had a long night in Armenia, try tucking into this soup. The hefty helping of calories and protein will have you feeling ready to be up and exploring in no time.
Khash is traditionally served during the winter. Neighboring countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Afghanistan also serve their own versions of the boiled trotters soup.
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