Armenian News... A Topalian... Interest and topical reading...Keep up with current affairs - It is your country and heritage!...
armradio.am
ARMENIA THREE POSITIONS UP IN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
REPORT 2015-2016
30 Sep 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenia is ranked 82nd (up from 85th last year) in the Global
Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 released by the World Economic
Forum today.
Switzerland tops the ranking followed by Singapore and the United
States. Armenia's neighbors in the region are placed as follows:
Georgia - 66th, Azerbaijan - 40th, Turkey 51st, Iran - 74th.
Armenia's partners in the Eurasian Economic Union Russia and Kazakhstan
are ranked 45th and 42ndrespectively. Kyrgyzstan is 102nd, no data
is available for Belarus.
The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 assesses the
competitiveness landscape of 140 economies, providing insight into
the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. The Report series
remains the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness
worldwide.
30 Sep 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Armenia is ranked 82nd (up from 85th last year) in the Global
Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 released by the World Economic
Forum today.
Switzerland tops the ranking followed by Singapore and the United
States. Armenia's neighbors in the region are placed as follows:
Georgia - 66th, Azerbaijan - 40th, Turkey 51st, Iran - 74th.
Armenia's partners in the Eurasian Economic Union Russia and Kazakhstan
are ranked 45th and 42ndrespectively. Kyrgyzstan is 102nd, no data
is available for Belarus.
The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 assesses the
competitiveness landscape of 140 economies, providing insight into
the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. The Report series
remains the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness
worldwide.
armenpress.am
ARMENIA'S PROGRESS IN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
AND GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX WILL PROMOTE INVESTMENT
ENVIRONMENT
1 October, 2015
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The results of the Global
Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, according to which Armenia has
improved its position by 3 points occupying the 82th place, will have
a positive impact on investment environment of our country. Republic of
Armenia Minister of Economy Karen Chshmaritian said the aforementioned
during the Government session.
"Moreover, we have made progress in seven fundamental sectors as
compared to the previous year, particularly, in the development of
macroeconomic environment, healthcare, elementary education, higher
education and trainings, efficiency of products, labour market,
financial markets. There have been some changes in the degrees of
technological readiness and business development of institutions,
infrastructures. Thus, Armenia has improved its position which
will have certain impact on investment environment in the future,"
"Armenpress" reports, Karen Chshmaritian stated.
Karen Chshmaritian also informed that Armenia occupies the 61st
position among 140 countries in The Global Innovation Index. According
to the Minister it is a very serious achievement and a result of
serious studies.
arka.am
ARMENIA'S BRANDY INDUSTRY CONTINUES FALLING
YEREVAN, September 30 Armenia's brandy industry keeps falling,
according to the National Statistical Service of Armenia.
Its output shrank 10.7% in Jan-Aug 2015, compared with the same period
a year earlier, to 8, 872,600 liters.
Vodka and beer production fell as well. In particular, vodka output
dropped 6.1% to 5,581,800 liters and beer 12.4% to 16,139,300 liters.
Instead, wine output grew 7.8% to 3,485,200 liters and champagne 6.6%
to 225,000 liters.
According to the statistical report, 50,741,300 liters of soft drinks
were produced in Jan-Aug 2015 - 4.7% more than at the same period a
year before.
1 October, 2015
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The results of the Global
Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, according to which Armenia has
improved its position by 3 points occupying the 82th place, will have
a positive impact on investment environment of our country. Republic of
Armenia Minister of Economy Karen Chshmaritian said the aforementioned
during the Government session.
"Moreover, we have made progress in seven fundamental sectors as
compared to the previous year, particularly, in the development of
macroeconomic environment, healthcare, elementary education, higher
education and trainings, efficiency of products, labour market,
financial markets. There have been some changes in the degrees of
technological readiness and business development of institutions,
infrastructures. Thus, Armenia has improved its position which
will have certain impact on investment environment in the future,"
"Armenpress" reports, Karen Chshmaritian stated.
Karen Chshmaritian also informed that Armenia occupies the 61st
position among 140 countries in The Global Innovation Index. According
to the Minister it is a very serious achievement and a result of
serious studies.
arka.am
ARMENIA'S BRANDY INDUSTRY CONTINUES FALLING
YEREVAN, September 30 Armenia's brandy industry keeps falling,
according to the National Statistical Service of Armenia.
Its output shrank 10.7% in Jan-Aug 2015, compared with the same period
a year earlier, to 8, 872,600 liters.
Vodka and beer production fell as well. In particular, vodka output
dropped 6.1% to 5,581,800 liters and beer 12.4% to 16,139,300 liters.
Instead, wine output grew 7.8% to 3,485,200 liters and champagne 6.6%
to 225,000 liters.
According to the statistical report, 50,741,300 liters of soft drinks
were produced in Jan-Aug 2015 - 4.7% more than at the same period a
year before.
OFFICIAL: NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN RETIREMENT HOMES IN
ARMENIA DECREASING
01.10.15 | 14:54
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
Satenik Tovmasyan
A positive trend has been observed at nursing homes in Armenia: the
flow of the elderly into nursing homes, as opposed to the queues of the
1990s, has gone down, Anahit Gevorgyan, the head of the Department of
Elderly People's Affairs of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,
told media.
Gevorgyan said that the phenomenon contributes to the improvement of
the conditions of these facilities.
"This enables us to provide better living conditions for the elderly,
such as reducing the number of people living in one room, improve
rooms and so on," he said.
He confirmed that despite their best efforts, the current conditions
do not yet fully ensure a dignified old age.
"The average pension in Armenia is 41,000 drams (about $85), while the
consumer basket is worth 60,000 to 70,000 drams. We compensate the
elderly who fall short of the consumer basket with a family benefit
scheme. Those, who are single and do not have sufficient conditions,
receive a monthly benefit of 11,000 drams," said Gevorgyan.
At present there are 14,000 registered single senior citizens.
Speaking about care centers, Gevorgyan said that in Armenia there
are nine 24-hour care centers, five of which are state-owned, and
four are private.
"A boarding house is chosen by citizens on their request and on the
basis of their application. People suffering from mental disorders
can be admitted to only a specific type of nursing house without
their application, by a court decision that will recognize a given
person as incapacitated," he said.
Under Article 36 of the current Constitution, adult capable persons
are obliged to take care of their parents who are incapacitated and
in need of such care. Otherwise, a court could oblige their children
to pay alimonies.
According to Gevorgyan, considering the fact that Armenian parents
have a particularly strong affection for their children not a single
parent has yet turned to a court for an alimony order.
arka.am
ARMENIA'S NATIONAL TEAM FALLS EIGHT NOTCHES IN FIFA'S
01.10.15 | 14:54
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
Satenik Tovmasyan
A positive trend has been observed at nursing homes in Armenia: the
flow of the elderly into nursing homes, as opposed to the queues of the
1990s, has gone down, Anahit Gevorgyan, the head of the Department of
Elderly People's Affairs of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,
told media.
Gevorgyan said that the phenomenon contributes to the improvement of
the conditions of these facilities.
"This enables us to provide better living conditions for the elderly,
such as reducing the number of people living in one room, improve
rooms and so on," he said.
He confirmed that despite their best efforts, the current conditions
do not yet fully ensure a dignified old age.
"The average pension in Armenia is 41,000 drams (about $85), while the
consumer basket is worth 60,000 to 70,000 drams. We compensate the
elderly who fall short of the consumer basket with a family benefit
scheme. Those, who are single and do not have sufficient conditions,
receive a monthly benefit of 11,000 drams," said Gevorgyan.
At present there are 14,000 registered single senior citizens.
Speaking about care centers, Gevorgyan said that in Armenia there
are nine 24-hour care centers, five of which are state-owned, and
four are private.
"A boarding house is chosen by citizens on their request and on the
basis of their application. People suffering from mental disorders
can be admitted to only a specific type of nursing house without
their application, by a court decision that will recognize a given
person as incapacitated," he said.
Under Article 36 of the current Constitution, adult capable persons
are obliged to take care of their parents who are incapacitated and
in need of such care. Otherwise, a court could oblige their children
to pay alimonies.
According to Gevorgyan, considering the fact that Armenian parents
have a particularly strong affection for their children not a single
parent has yet turned to a court for an alimony order.
arka.am
ARMENIA'S NATIONAL TEAM FALLS EIGHT NOTCHES IN FIFA'S
LATEST RATING
YEREVAN, October 1. / ARKA /. Armenia fell eight notches in FIFA's
latest rankings, released Thursday, falling to 91st position.
Armenia's rivals in Euro-2016 qualifying group are far ahead of her.
In particular, Portugal is on the 4th position, the Danes are 28th,
Albanians are 32nd and Serbia is 63rd.
FIFA Ranking is topped by Argentina, Germany, Belgium, Portugal,
Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Wales, Chile and England. -- 0--
lragir.am
THE LAST OBJECTIVE OF ARMED FORCES AHEAD OF
YEREVAN, October 1. / ARKA /. Armenia fell eight notches in FIFA's
latest rankings, released Thursday, falling to 91st position.
Armenia's rivals in Euro-2016 qualifying group are far ahead of her.
In particular, Portugal is on the 4th position, the Danes are 28th,
Albanians are 32nd and Serbia is 63rd.
FIFA Ranking is topped by Argentina, Germany, Belgium, Portugal,
Colombia, Spain, Brazil, Wales, Chile and England. -- 0--
lragir.am
THE LAST OBJECTIVE OF ARMED FORCES AHEAD OF
ASYMMETRIC STRIKE
Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator
01 October 2015, 15:59
"I'm deeply convinced that in the result of such a strategy,
at the table of negotiations a compulsion to sign a truce
under new conditions, not the agenda on ceasefire observance and
confidence building measures will be put in front of the Azerbaijani
political-military leadership," said the first deputy minister of
defense of Armenia Davit Tonoyan said in regard to weapons of new
calibers and new targets of the ceasefire violations.
In Armenia they believe that only a disproportionate strike of the
Armenian armed forces can force Azerbaijan to observe the ceasefire.
Of course, Aliyev could be constrained by the OSCE Minsk Group but
obviously the group has no consensus over this. It is clear that the
Russian policy is encouraging Azerbaijan for new violations.
Apparently, the United States is focusing its efforts on preventing
a large-scale war, and the ability of the United States to prevent
the local military actions is not equivocal.
In this situation, the other option may be picked up - maintaining
the ceasefire with the help of assistance to the Armenian armed forces.
The issue is more sensitive and relative, the point may be about both
political and technological assistance. November 2014, unfortunately
a tragic occasion, was such an example. When the Armenian helicopter
was destroyed during a peaceful training flight, a few days later
the Armenian side had to recover the bodies of the victims from the
line of fire through a special operation due to complete lack of a
humanitarian behavior of Azerbaijan.
The Armenian special units did a brilliant operation worth the global
army elite. In this respect, it should be noted that during the press
conference in Washington the United States followed the operation
of recovery of bodies. This meaningful statement was a diplomatic
hint on the U.S. support to this operation. No doubt the issue must
be resolved by the defense capacity of the Armenian army. At the
same time, however, considering the geopolitical complications,
it is beyond doubt that the effective solution of this problem is
determined by powerful external partnership and alliance. And when
the de jure ally and friend is de facto arming the enemy, turning
on a green light for the aggression of the enemy, especially that de
facto alliance with the United States is becoming more than important.
This stems from the joint interest, which is the basis for the
international politics and security. This is missing in the domain
called the Armenian-Russian relations. Moreover, the guarantee of
generating something reminding of common interest in this domain is
that Armenia use in full the harmony of interests between Armenia
and the Euro-Atlantic security system. Only thus can Armenia force
Russia to treat the Armenian interests with respect.
The issue is whether the government of Armenia is capable of that
policy, of using the historic moment in full, of being a fully reliable
partner for this system. The problem is that forcing Azerbaijan to
observe the ceasefire by means of an asymmetric strike to Azerbaijan
does not suppose military actions only. In fact, military actions are
part of the economic-political package in the modern world. They are
sufficient to respond to Azerbaijan.
Hence, when Armenia brings up the issue of forcing Azerbaijan to
observe peace, the issue rises whether it indicates a revision of
the economic and political line. In addition, is this issue part of
the series of preparatory actions ahead of the asymmetric strike to
Azerbaijan to force Azerbaijan to observe the ceasefire? This is a
sensitive and responsible situation.
The burden of Azerbaijan's aggression falls on the armed forces. In
addition, it mostly falls on the units which unlike the generals of
the army are cut from the ruling system. This is a matter of life and
death, and nobody can wait till the end to become the next target of
the local war, whether an officer or a private soldier.
At the same time, everyone understands that the solution of the
problem is not only military, hence if the issue is resolved through
the military component it will not be resolved, and the threats will
persist due to the inadequacy of the economic and political components.
The armed forces are ready to resolve the essential military issues
and impose the ceasefire but, in fact, the armed forces have a problem
in terms of the adequacy and reliability of the economic and political
line. The situation prompts that the issue will mature on the agenda
of Armenia.
WAR LOOMS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
Al Jazeera
September 29, 2015
by Richard Giragosian
A recent upsurge in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh serves Russian
interests and shows the dangers of war by accident.
Since a tentative ceasefire agreement halted fighting between Armenian
and Azerbaijani forces over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia has
largely benefitted from the unresolved nature of the conflict. Moscow
not only helped to broker and then back that first informal ceasefire
in May 1994, but it also emerged as a key mediator, along with France
and the United States. Through that tripartite effort at diplomatic
mediation, institutionalised as the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - the so-called "Minsk group" - Moscow
was able to cement its position as an essential arbitrator. As the
years of diplomacy garnered little in substance or significance, due
more to the lack of political will and less to any strategic neglect,
the parties to the conflict became locked in a vicious cycle of what
became known as a "frozen" conflict.
No longer a 'frozen' conflict Yet the "frozen" Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is anything but. With a steady escalation in fighting over
the past few years, the conflict has rapidly thawed, marked by a
pattern of consistent ceasefire violations. And as the ceasefire has
become much more fragile, ceasefire violations have become much more
serious - to the current point to where they are no longer measured
in shots fired or number of attacks, but in terms of military deaths
and civilian casualties on both sides.
This was notable in the first few days of this month, with a fresh
escalation that was especially serious, due to three specific factors:
First, this fresh wave of Azerbaijani attacks utilised artillery and
mortars, rather than only sniper fire, and targeted Armenian civilian
population centres along the northern Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
This factor demonstrated that with the introduction of more serious
weapon systems, the severity of attacks and the scale of the damage
have significantly increased. Also read: Azeri-Armenian enmity and
citizen diplomacy
The second factor is rooted in the geography of the clashes, as the
battlespace has expanded well beyond the confines of Nagorno-Karabakh
to now include areas around the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
Such an expanded battlespace is also seen in the emergence of limited
air power, as drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been
increasingly used for reconnaissance prior to the attacks. But on
a broader level, it is the third factor, consisting of much greater
willingness to resort to force of arms rather than diplomacy.
Largely driven by Azerbaijan, whose mounting frustration over the
lack of any progress in the peace process has triggered a pronounced
preference for offensive military operations, the weakening of any
deterrent and restraint over Azerbaijan has also fostered an Armenian
reaction of responding to each Azerbaijani attack, at times with
overwhelming force .
For both sides, this has further triggered a dangerous spiralling
upward of intensity, making it increasingly difficult for any one
side to climb down or step back. Russia is key In light of the current
deterioration of the security situation, Moscow has only consolidated
its role. Moscow now stands as the key, not only as an essential
mediator but also as the number one arms provider to both sides and
the main determinant of either deterrence or disaster.
Although the combination of the unresolved nature of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the military build-up on both sides has
greatly enhanced Russian power and influence, the looming risk of
"war by accident" may be a tempting tool for Moscow to consolidate
its leverage in the region by provoking, promoting and then exploiting
renewed hostilities.
Such a dangerous change in Russian policy may be driven by a degree of
Russian reaction to recent developments, ranging from the creation of a
NATO training centre in nearby Georgia to a move in line with Russia's
overall confrontation with the West. And for Moscow, the temptation to
up the ante in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may not only complement
its most recent tactical move of dispatching forces to Syria, but it
could also garner greater dividends for Russian hard power.
This latter factor stems from the Russian desire to further
project its power in the South Caucasus by seeking to spark further
military confrontation in order to deploy Russian peacekeepers to
Nagorno-Karabakh. Also read: Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gordian
Knot But in a strategic context, such a development may be even more
destabilising than the Russian-provoked war in Ukraine.
More specifically, a potential Nagorno-Karabakh war would be especially
significant, as it is the one festering conflict that has the power
to quickly expand and escalate, as both Turkey and Iran, not just
Russia, would be compelled to respond. For that reason alone, the
danger of a "war by accident" over Nagorno-Karabakh necessitates much
more strategic scrutiny and greater attention by the West.
This remote and fairly removed conflict can no longer be so easily
ceded to Russian control. Moscow has been afforded too much room as
a primary actor for far too long.
Richard Giragosian is the founding director of the Regional Studies
Center, an independent think-tank in Yerevan, Armenia.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not
necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.
Hakob Badalyan, Political Commentator
01 October 2015, 15:59
"I'm deeply convinced that in the result of such a strategy,
at the table of negotiations a compulsion to sign a truce
under new conditions, not the agenda on ceasefire observance and
confidence building measures will be put in front of the Azerbaijani
political-military leadership," said the first deputy minister of
defense of Armenia Davit Tonoyan said in regard to weapons of new
calibers and new targets of the ceasefire violations.
In Armenia they believe that only a disproportionate strike of the
Armenian armed forces can force Azerbaijan to observe the ceasefire.
Of course, Aliyev could be constrained by the OSCE Minsk Group but
obviously the group has no consensus over this. It is clear that the
Russian policy is encouraging Azerbaijan for new violations.
Apparently, the United States is focusing its efforts on preventing
a large-scale war, and the ability of the United States to prevent
the local military actions is not equivocal.
In this situation, the other option may be picked up - maintaining
the ceasefire with the help of assistance to the Armenian armed forces.
The issue is more sensitive and relative, the point may be about both
political and technological assistance. November 2014, unfortunately
a tragic occasion, was such an example. When the Armenian helicopter
was destroyed during a peaceful training flight, a few days later
the Armenian side had to recover the bodies of the victims from the
line of fire through a special operation due to complete lack of a
humanitarian behavior of Azerbaijan.
The Armenian special units did a brilliant operation worth the global
army elite. In this respect, it should be noted that during the press
conference in Washington the United States followed the operation
of recovery of bodies. This meaningful statement was a diplomatic
hint on the U.S. support to this operation. No doubt the issue must
be resolved by the defense capacity of the Armenian army. At the
same time, however, considering the geopolitical complications,
it is beyond doubt that the effective solution of this problem is
determined by powerful external partnership and alliance. And when
the de jure ally and friend is de facto arming the enemy, turning
on a green light for the aggression of the enemy, especially that de
facto alliance with the United States is becoming more than important.
This stems from the joint interest, which is the basis for the
international politics and security. This is missing in the domain
called the Armenian-Russian relations. Moreover, the guarantee of
generating something reminding of common interest in this domain is
that Armenia use in full the harmony of interests between Armenia
and the Euro-Atlantic security system. Only thus can Armenia force
Russia to treat the Armenian interests with respect.
The issue is whether the government of Armenia is capable of that
policy, of using the historic moment in full, of being a fully reliable
partner for this system. The problem is that forcing Azerbaijan to
observe the ceasefire by means of an asymmetric strike to Azerbaijan
does not suppose military actions only. In fact, military actions are
part of the economic-political package in the modern world. They are
sufficient to respond to Azerbaijan.
Hence, when Armenia brings up the issue of forcing Azerbaijan to
observe peace, the issue rises whether it indicates a revision of
the economic and political line. In addition, is this issue part of
the series of preparatory actions ahead of the asymmetric strike to
Azerbaijan to force Azerbaijan to observe the ceasefire? This is a
sensitive and responsible situation.
The burden of Azerbaijan's aggression falls on the armed forces. In
addition, it mostly falls on the units which unlike the generals of
the army are cut from the ruling system. This is a matter of life and
death, and nobody can wait till the end to become the next target of
the local war, whether an officer or a private soldier.
At the same time, everyone understands that the solution of the
problem is not only military, hence if the issue is resolved through
the military component it will not be resolved, and the threats will
persist due to the inadequacy of the economic and political components.
The armed forces are ready to resolve the essential military issues
and impose the ceasefire but, in fact, the armed forces have a problem
in terms of the adequacy and reliability of the economic and political
line. The situation prompts that the issue will mature on the agenda
of Armenia.
WAR LOOMS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
Al Jazeera
September 29, 2015
by Richard Giragosian
A recent upsurge in fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh serves Russian
interests and shows the dangers of war by accident.
Since a tentative ceasefire agreement halted fighting between Armenian
and Azerbaijani forces over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia has
largely benefitted from the unresolved nature of the conflict. Moscow
not only helped to broker and then back that first informal ceasefire
in May 1994, but it also emerged as a key mediator, along with France
and the United States. Through that tripartite effort at diplomatic
mediation, institutionalised as the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - the so-called "Minsk group" - Moscow
was able to cement its position as an essential arbitrator. As the
years of diplomacy garnered little in substance or significance, due
more to the lack of political will and less to any strategic neglect,
the parties to the conflict became locked in a vicious cycle of what
became known as a "frozen" conflict.
No longer a 'frozen' conflict Yet the "frozen" Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is anything but. With a steady escalation in fighting over
the past few years, the conflict has rapidly thawed, marked by a
pattern of consistent ceasefire violations. And as the ceasefire has
become much more fragile, ceasefire violations have become much more
serious - to the current point to where they are no longer measured
in shots fired or number of attacks, but in terms of military deaths
and civilian casualties on both sides.
This was notable in the first few days of this month, with a fresh
escalation that was especially serious, due to three specific factors:
First, this fresh wave of Azerbaijani attacks utilised artillery and
mortars, rather than only sniper fire, and targeted Armenian civilian
population centres along the northern Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
This factor demonstrated that with the introduction of more serious
weapon systems, the severity of attacks and the scale of the damage
have significantly increased. Also read: Azeri-Armenian enmity and
citizen diplomacy
The second factor is rooted in the geography of the clashes, as the
battlespace has expanded well beyond the confines of Nagorno-Karabakh
to now include areas around the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
Such an expanded battlespace is also seen in the emergence of limited
air power, as drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been
increasingly used for reconnaissance prior to the attacks. But on
a broader level, it is the third factor, consisting of much greater
willingness to resort to force of arms rather than diplomacy.
Largely driven by Azerbaijan, whose mounting frustration over the
lack of any progress in the peace process has triggered a pronounced
preference for offensive military operations, the weakening of any
deterrent and restraint over Azerbaijan has also fostered an Armenian
reaction of responding to each Azerbaijani attack, at times with
overwhelming force .
For both sides, this has further triggered a dangerous spiralling
upward of intensity, making it increasingly difficult for any one
side to climb down or step back. Russia is key In light of the current
deterioration of the security situation, Moscow has only consolidated
its role. Moscow now stands as the key, not only as an essential
mediator but also as the number one arms provider to both sides and
the main determinant of either deterrence or disaster.
Although the combination of the unresolved nature of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the military build-up on both sides has
greatly enhanced Russian power and influence, the looming risk of
"war by accident" may be a tempting tool for Moscow to consolidate
its leverage in the region by provoking, promoting and then exploiting
renewed hostilities.
Such a dangerous change in Russian policy may be driven by a degree of
Russian reaction to recent developments, ranging from the creation of a
NATO training centre in nearby Georgia to a move in line with Russia's
overall confrontation with the West. And for Moscow, the temptation to
up the ante in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may not only complement
its most recent tactical move of dispatching forces to Syria, but it
could also garner greater dividends for Russian hard power.
This latter factor stems from the Russian desire to further
project its power in the South Caucasus by seeking to spark further
military confrontation in order to deploy Russian peacekeepers to
Nagorno-Karabakh. Also read: Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gordian
Knot But in a strategic context, such a development may be even more
destabilising than the Russian-provoked war in Ukraine.
More specifically, a potential Nagorno-Karabakh war would be especially
significant, as it is the one festering conflict that has the power
to quickly expand and escalate, as both Turkey and Iran, not just
Russia, would be compelled to respond. For that reason alone, the
danger of a "war by accident" over Nagorno-Karabakh necessitates much
more strategic scrutiny and greater attention by the West.
This remote and fairly removed conflict can no longer be so easily
ceded to Russian control. Moscow has been afforded too much room as
a primary actor for far too long.
Richard Giragosian is the founding director of the Regional Studies
Center, an independent think-tank in Yerevan, Armenia.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not
necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.
armradio.am
TEN THINGS THAT I LOVED ABOUT ARMENIA: BLOGGER SHARES
IMPRESSIONS FROM A RECENT VISIT
01 Oct 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Kalpana Sunder, freelance travel writer, blogger and photographer
based in Chennai, India, has shared her impressions from a recent
visit to Armenia in an article published by The Huffington Post. The
full article is provided below:
Did you know that Armenia is the world's oldest Christian nation? And
that Cher, who was born Cherilyn Sarkisian is half-Armenian? Armenia
is usually not the first country that will come into your mind when
you're deciding on your next travel destination. It's a mountainous
landlocked country- with beauteous landscapes and a buzzing, vibrant
capital city. I just came back from there, and here are ten reasons
why I loved the country and why you must head there soon.
The fact that it feels very young
I went to Armenia expecting to step back in time: I had read about
Armenia's ancient monasteries, learned about the country's place in
history;. I wasn't prepared for the capital city, Yerevan's dazzlingly
modern Kentron district, where everyone from teenagers to the elderly
dresses with incredible style, and gorgeous cafes and restaurants are
busy even during working hours. For a city that's over 1,700 years old,
Yerevan feels very young.
That it has the most incredible monasteries
Armenian monasteries are just the prettiest! I visited many of them and
every single one was more beautiful than the previous. Dark and stark,
with no decorations but a candle or two lighting up the interiors,
they have a truly spiritual atmosphere of centuries of prayer. The
sparse walls once held a series of religious murals and paintings
destroyed by invaders. Usually their location is breathtaking too -
at the shore of Lake Sevan, in gorges, on a promontory or a cliff or
cut into the rock like Geghard.
That its national icon is a show stopper
Ararat. The magnificent mountain that is on every image of the country-
till the last day it remained shrouded in mist. It is known as the
place where Noah's ark came to rest and is considered the home of
Gods in Armenian mythology. Ararat symbolizes the Armenian national
identity, it can be found on most of the souvenirs, paintings sold at
the flea market, and in the country's coat of arms and the passport
stamps. On the last day I peered outside my hotel window in Yerevan,
and was rewarded by the sight of the snow covered mountain! I was
incredibly lucky .. But the tragic part of the story is that Mount
Ararat, the symbol of Armenia, is actually located in Turkey, 32kms
from the border. So near, yet so far away...
It's amazing cafe culture
It was one of the first things I noticed in Yerevan during my visit
and it gives the city a more European than an Asian ambience. The
city is literally full of cafes! Every park, every square, most of
the streets have them and no matter what time of the day, they were
always packed with people. Armenians like their coffee to be thick
and murky, and sitting in a café ( and people watching) will not
ruin your budget as Armenian prices are friendly.
That it has so much contemporary art
Yerevan is studded with contemporary art... The main attraction is
the Cascade complex, that serves as the Cafesjian Museum of Art -
a place full of really interesting contemporary art by international
artists, from the collection of the founder. Lots of art pieces are
located either in the park leading to the Cascade, in the stairs of the
complex or inside, where the escalator is (entrance on the left side).
The city is also full of various monuments of famous Armenians or other
random art installations. The Green by the Monument has a full circus
show with elephant statues and a clapboard house! My favourite was the
'Three Glassinators' by Andrew Carson on the terrace of the Cascades-
a whimsical assortment of glass pieces rotating in the breeze.
The Khachkars or cross stones
I loved the Armenian Khachkars or cross stones with intricate
patterns of leaves, grapes, pomegranates and saintly figures. The word
"khachkar" is formed by two Armenian roots: "khach" (cross) and "kar"
(stone). The cross is the most familiar symbol of Christianity, but
nowhere is this iconography as culture-entrenched as it is in Armenia.
Wherever you go, thousands of khachkars, or cross-stones are found
in the world's oldest Christian nation, providing a rare glimpse
into spiritual expression. Today Khachkars are on the UNESCO list of
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
That it has an incredible variety of fresh and dried fruits and
01 Oct 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Kalpana Sunder, freelance travel writer, blogger and photographer
based in Chennai, India, has shared her impressions from a recent
visit to Armenia in an article published by The Huffington Post. The
full article is provided below:
Did you know that Armenia is the world's oldest Christian nation? And
that Cher, who was born Cherilyn Sarkisian is half-Armenian? Armenia
is usually not the first country that will come into your mind when
you're deciding on your next travel destination. It's a mountainous
landlocked country- with beauteous landscapes and a buzzing, vibrant
capital city. I just came back from there, and here are ten reasons
why I loved the country and why you must head there soon.
The fact that it feels very young
I went to Armenia expecting to step back in time: I had read about
Armenia's ancient monasteries, learned about the country's place in
history;. I wasn't prepared for the capital city, Yerevan's dazzlingly
modern Kentron district, where everyone from teenagers to the elderly
dresses with incredible style, and gorgeous cafes and restaurants are
busy even during working hours. For a city that's over 1,700 years old,
Yerevan feels very young.
That it has the most incredible monasteries
Armenian monasteries are just the prettiest! I visited many of them and
every single one was more beautiful than the previous. Dark and stark,
with no decorations but a candle or two lighting up the interiors,
they have a truly spiritual atmosphere of centuries of prayer. The
sparse walls once held a series of religious murals and paintings
destroyed by invaders. Usually their location is breathtaking too -
at the shore of Lake Sevan, in gorges, on a promontory or a cliff or
cut into the rock like Geghard.
That its national icon is a show stopper
Ararat. The magnificent mountain that is on every image of the country-
till the last day it remained shrouded in mist. It is known as the
place where Noah's ark came to rest and is considered the home of
Gods in Armenian mythology. Ararat symbolizes the Armenian national
identity, it can be found on most of the souvenirs, paintings sold at
the flea market, and in the country's coat of arms and the passport
stamps. On the last day I peered outside my hotel window in Yerevan,
and was rewarded by the sight of the snow covered mountain! I was
incredibly lucky .. But the tragic part of the story is that Mount
Ararat, the symbol of Armenia, is actually located in Turkey, 32kms
from the border. So near, yet so far away...
It's amazing cafe culture
It was one of the first things I noticed in Yerevan during my visit
and it gives the city a more European than an Asian ambience. The
city is literally full of cafes! Every park, every square, most of
the streets have them and no matter what time of the day, they were
always packed with people. Armenians like their coffee to be thick
and murky, and sitting in a café ( and people watching) will not
ruin your budget as Armenian prices are friendly.
That it has so much contemporary art
Yerevan is studded with contemporary art... The main attraction is
the Cascade complex, that serves as the Cafesjian Museum of Art -
a place full of really interesting contemporary art by international
artists, from the collection of the founder. Lots of art pieces are
located either in the park leading to the Cascade, in the stairs of the
complex or inside, where the escalator is (entrance on the left side).
The city is also full of various monuments of famous Armenians or other
random art installations. The Green by the Monument has a full circus
show with elephant statues and a clapboard house! My favourite was the
'Three Glassinators' by Andrew Carson on the terrace of the Cascades-
a whimsical assortment of glass pieces rotating in the breeze.
The Khachkars or cross stones
I loved the Armenian Khachkars or cross stones with intricate
patterns of leaves, grapes, pomegranates and saintly figures. The word
"khachkar" is formed by two Armenian roots: "khach" (cross) and "kar"
(stone). The cross is the most familiar symbol of Christianity, but
nowhere is this iconography as culture-entrenched as it is in Armenia.
Wherever you go, thousands of khachkars, or cross-stones are found
in the world's oldest Christian nation, providing a rare glimpse
into spiritual expression. Today Khachkars are on the UNESCO list of
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
That it has an incredible variety of fresh and dried fruits and
fresh, organic food
Wherever I went there were women selling garlands of dried fruits
called Churchkela, or sweet Sujuk which are walnuts soaked in
thickened grape syrup and dried on a string. They hung like curtains
everywhere alongside paper thin fruit lavash, and baskets of apricots,
dates, almonds and figs. In fact the apricot is called the Armenian
apple. They say that in the first century BC, Roman general Lucullus
took several apricot saplings from Armenia to Rome. The Romans planted
those saplings in their city and called the fruit the "Armenian plum"
and it spread to Europe from there. We drank glasses of Kompot-
clear fruit juice made by boiling fruits like peaches, apricots and
strawberries in water without additives. We saw bottles of fresh juices
and jams and preserves. Fruit country, truly! Our tables were laid
with fresh crunchy salads, sautéed greens and vegetables , herbal
teas, and sweets. Paper thin lavash bread baked in underground ovens
was a staple and grilled meats called khorovats as well as charred
potato found their place on the menus. I also loved their creamy,
thick yoghurt called Matzoon.
For a small country, it has an incredible variety of landscapes
It is a mountainous country and travelling around can show you how
much the landscape varies - the north is full of green hills while the
south feels more deserted. We drove through miles of deserted roads
and canyons in the Caucasus Mountains, to the Garni pagan Temple,
and the Geghard monastery, carved out of rock faces. Another day we
drove to turquoise Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes,
surrounded by mountains, which the Armenians call the Armenian Sea.
You can climb up to the Sevanayak Monastery and get a panoramic sweep
of the Lake and also see ancient cross stones or khachkars. We also
visited the monastery of Khor Virap surrounded by wheat fields and
vineyards against the backdrop of stunning Mount Ararat. Armenia even
has its own little Switzerland called Dilijan National Park! That's
on my list for next time...
If music be the food of love, play on!
Almost everywhere, there was music- from traditional duduk flutes
played by boys in flea markets to street entertainers and musical
fountains at Republic Square. Armenia has a long musical tradition
developed by Komitas , a priest, in the late 19th century. My guide
Tatevik Martini, blessed with a divine voice, sang a religious song
inside the pagan temple of Garni and that will always remain my most
precious memory of the trip. Even while travelling on ski lifts,
each cable station had speakers with music!
That it has some of the friendliest people in the world who are
Wherever I went there were women selling garlands of dried fruits
called Churchkela, or sweet Sujuk which are walnuts soaked in
thickened grape syrup and dried on a string. They hung like curtains
everywhere alongside paper thin fruit lavash, and baskets of apricots,
dates, almonds and figs. In fact the apricot is called the Armenian
apple. They say that in the first century BC, Roman general Lucullus
took several apricot saplings from Armenia to Rome. The Romans planted
those saplings in their city and called the fruit the "Armenian plum"
and it spread to Europe from there. We drank glasses of Kompot-
clear fruit juice made by boiling fruits like peaches, apricots and
strawberries in water without additives. We saw bottles of fresh juices
and jams and preserves. Fruit country, truly! Our tables were laid
with fresh crunchy salads, sautéed greens and vegetables , herbal
teas, and sweets. Paper thin lavash bread baked in underground ovens
was a staple and grilled meats called khorovats as well as charred
potato found their place on the menus. I also loved their creamy,
thick yoghurt called Matzoon.
For a small country, it has an incredible variety of landscapes
It is a mountainous country and travelling around can show you how
much the landscape varies - the north is full of green hills while the
south feels more deserted. We drove through miles of deserted roads
and canyons in the Caucasus Mountains, to the Garni pagan Temple,
and the Geghard monastery, carved out of rock faces. Another day we
drove to turquoise Lake Sevan, one of the highest freshwater lakes,
surrounded by mountains, which the Armenians call the Armenian Sea.
You can climb up to the Sevanayak Monastery and get a panoramic sweep
of the Lake and also see ancient cross stones or khachkars. We also
visited the monastery of Khor Virap surrounded by wheat fields and
vineyards against the backdrop of stunning Mount Ararat. Armenia even
has its own little Switzerland called Dilijan National Park! That's
on my list for next time...
If music be the food of love, play on!
Almost everywhere, there was music- from traditional duduk flutes
played by boys in flea markets to street entertainers and musical
fountains at Republic Square. Armenia has a long musical tradition
developed by Komitas , a priest, in the late 19th century. My guide
Tatevik Martini, blessed with a divine voice, sang a religious song
inside the pagan temple of Garni and that will always remain my most
precious memory of the trip. Even while travelling on ski lifts,
each cable station had speakers with music!
That it has some of the friendliest people in the world who are
so proud of their country!
What I found amazing was that everyone came up and spoke to me-
wanted to know if I was Indian and then told me what they liked about
my country. Children and adults were most willing to be photographed
and fruit sellers were ever willing to give me a free tasting before
I bought anything. Almost always they asked me if I enjoyed Armenia. I
always gave them a sincere thumbs up!
What I found amazing was that everyone came up and spoke to me-
wanted to know if I was Indian and then told me what they liked about
my country. Children and adults were most willing to be photographed
and fruit sellers were ever willing to give me a free tasting before
I bought anything. Almost always they asked me if I enjoyed Armenia. I
always gave them a sincere thumbs up!
No comments:
Post a Comment