Armenian News... A Topalian... 7 editorials
Global Justice Now about a UK registered company’s
attacks on Armenia’s burgeoning democracy and its rural communities’ livelihood.
A Jersey mining company's $2 billion attack on Armenia's democracy | Global Justice Now
For the past few months, we have been working to uncover the toxic plans of a Jersey-registered mining firm called Lydian International, who are threatening a corporate courts lawsuit that would undermine the Armenian people’s struggle for democracy.
Please watch this short documentary, read the article, sign the petition and diffuse it as much as possible.
This piece of investigative journalism will bring light to the UK Armenian community on the treatment of Armenians by British corporations.
News.am, Armenia
July 31 2019
President discusses Armenian-British ties
President Armen Sarkissian, who is on unofficial visit to Great Britain, has had a meeting with Christopher Pincher, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“Christopher Pincher noted that President Sarkissian is the first foreign leader whom he met with after assuming his post. He emphasized that Armenia is a valuable and important partner for his country,” the Armenian presidential press service reports.
The interlocutors discussed in an informal setting the issues on Armenia-UK bilateral agenda and regional developments.
Arminfo, Armenia
July 30 2019
Asya Balayan
Armenian and foreign scientists will conduct joint research of the ancient observatory "Karahunj"
ArmInfo.Armenian and foreign scientists will conduct joint research to study the ancient megalithic complex Karahunj. This was announced at the press conference by the director of the public organization "Bnorran" Hripsime Harutyunyan, who initiated today's discussions with Armenian scientists and public figures.
Representatives of "Bnorran" in their word noted that the purpose of joint research is to create a cooperation environment between the parties, to eliminate any manifestations of extremes, as well as to unite efforts to identify existing problems around the ancient monument, the Karahunj Observatory, around which they do not cease controversy.
Director of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Pavel Avetisyan urged not to engage in verbal exchanges, but to develop a program taking into account all the advanced points of view, starting with academician Paris Heruni, who proved that Karahunj is the oldest observatory and until recent observations of some scientists who consider the monument to an ancient necropolis . According to him, to conduct field research, it will be necessary to form a joint group capable of conducting an objective study of the monument.
One of the representatives of Bnorran, Ashot Aslanyan, noted that joint research means that several versions will be offered, on which work will continue, at the same time announcing the involvement of international experts to jointly study the monument, so that the process would be impartial and transparent. subjectivity is excluded.
The leader of the expedition, conducting the excavations at Carajun Ashot Piliposyan, noted that all parties are interested in a comprehensive study of the monument. "The monument is really very interesting and unique in the South Caucasus and needs serious study," he is convinced. He also did not rule out that in the future a museum could be built near the monument, which will summarize everything related to the ancient settlement and artifacts.
The niece of academician Paris Heruni, professor of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia Arevik Sargsyan recalled that the reasonable version of Caraund as the most ancient observatory was given attention and confirmed by international experts. In this regard, she stated that she did not agree with the opinion of Piliposian, who asserts that "Karauj" is just a settlement with a necropolis. Arevik Sargsyan noted that from this moment excavations on the territory of the monument cease until a new strategy is developed for the study of this most important cultural and historical monument for the country.
Recall that "Karahunj" or as it is also called "Armenian Stonehenge" gained world fame after academician Paris Heruni, who devoted to the study of this unique monument for many years, came to the scientifically based version of Caraundhe as the most ancient observatory. This hypothesis is supported by conical holes drilled in the upper part of high stones processed by an ancient man.
However, carrying out the excavation of Karahunj (using heavy equipment - Ed.), A little-known archeologist Piliposyan questioned this version of a world-famous scientist, radio astronomer, creator of a unique radio-optical telescope, claiming that Karahunj is just a burial ground. The excavations started in 2016 with the help of heavy and other equipment caused a great negative public response. Supporters of the Heruni scientific heritage believe that with these actions Piliposyan depreciates the oldest cultural, historical and scientific monument that has existed for at least 7500 years.
Panorama, Armenia
July 30 2019
Baku angry with Ryde-Stepanakert friendship city effort
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Leyla Abdullayeva has mischaracterized the parties involved in the Friendship City relationship that was established between Australia’s City of Ryde Council, with Artsakh’s capital Stepanakert, Asbarezreported, citing the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
In the Azerbaijani authoritarian regime’s predictable reaction to the historic agreement, Abdullayeva was quoted in Azerbaijani state controlled media outlets referring to Stepanakert as “Khankendi City,” while similarly mixing up the name of Ryde City by referring to it as “Reid City.”
“It is no coincidence that the draft of this document, adopted by only two people, was put forward by Sarkis Yedelian, member of Armenian origin of the Reid City Council, and supported by Mayor of Reid City Jerome Laxale,” stated Abdullayeva.
“As for such documents adopted by local executive or legislative bodies of administrative-territorial units of Australia, as a result of the lobbying efforts of the Armenians, I would like to emphasize that these documents have no legal significance and are just pieces of paper serving the interests of certain circles or lobby groups,” she concluded.
ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian commented: “It is appropriate that Ms. Abdullayeva feels compelled to respond to this motion, outlining the true significance it has when cities like Ryde recognize the rights of indigenous Armenians to live on their liberated ancestral homeland.”
“Of course, Ms. Abdullayeva conveniently omitted to note that the historic Resolution was unanimously adopted by the whole Ryde City Council,” Kayserian added.
Meanwhile, the Artsakh Foreign Ministry has welcomed the decision by the City of Ryde to officially establish a friendship city with Stepanakert.
“We welcome the unanimous adoption of a resolution to establish ‘friendship’ relations with Artsakh’s capital city of Stepanakert by Australia’s Ryde City Council. This ensures a legal basis for the establishment of cooperation between the two cities in the fields of culture, education, economy, and others, as well as the implementation of practical programs,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We are grateful to those who contributed to the implementation of this initiative, which aims to strengthen the friendly relations between Stepanakert and Ryde,” said the statement.
On July 23, the City of Ryde Council voted unanimously on a resolution to form an official Friendship City relationship with the capital of the Republic of Artsakh, Stepanakert.
Armenian-Australian Councilor Sarkis Yedelian moved the motion, which was seconded by Mayor Jerome Laxale, following the advocacy efforts of the ANC-AU on behalf of Armenian-Australians and representations by the Republic of Artsakh’s Permanent Representative to Australia, Kaylar Michaelian.
These efforts were ramped up in the lead-up to next week’s visit of the highest level Artsakh delegation to Australia, to be led by Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan, who will be joined by Member of the National Assembly Davit Ishkhanyan and Foreign Ministry official Artak Nersisyan.
29.07.2019
Turkish, Armenian athletes dive in Lake Van to raise awareness for environmental protection
ISTANBUL
A group of Turkish and Armenian divers dived in Lake Van in eastern Turkey on Monday in order to raise awareness about the protection of the world's largest endorheic lake.
Under the scope of a project initiated by the Van Metropolitan Municipality, Turkish athletes from the Van Diving School and a total of 10 Armenian divers gathered in the eastern Turkish province.
The group carried banners bearing Turkish and Armenian slogans to draw attention to the water pollution in the 3,712 square kilometer surface lake which is the largest in Turley.
The divers have also collected garbage they found during the dive.
Being the largest lake in Turkey, Lake Van is located in the far east of the provinces of Van and Bitlis. It is a saline soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. In the last couple of years, the popularity of Lake Van increased with a touristic train line from Ankara and beaches opened up on the shores of the lake. The lake is also popular among divers as the underwater riches of the lake lure explorers to the region.
JAM News
July 31 2019
Armenian nuclear power station made safer – International Atomic Energy Agency
The safety level of the power station is rated at 3.82 on a four-point scale
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring report states that the safety level of the Armenian Metsamor nuclear power plant has increased, rating the facility at 3.82 point on a four-point scale.
The monitoring of the IAEA mission was conducted at the invitation of the government and the State Committee for Regulation of Atomic Safety of Armenia. Its goal was to check the quality of the implementation of the proposals and recommendations of the organization.
As the results of the study showed, Armenia has improved the regulation of nuclear and radiation safety.
Experts say there has been marked improvement since 2015, and that the country has particularly succeeded in adopting a management strategy for radioactive waste.
The monitoring group consisted of 12 specialists from different countries, three of whom were employees of the IAEA.
Response in Armenia
The head of the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee, Ashot Martirosyan, stated that a nuclear safety level of 3.82 points out of a possible 4 points is a high figure.
But despite this, the IAEA mission, according to Martirosyan, put forward a number of proposals for further improving the infrastructure of the regulatory body.
Lack of qualified staff
More recently, the IAEA team published a statement in which it mentioned the problems in the country.
The report, in particular, states that in Armenia there is a shortage of qualified and experienced staff in the regulatory body.
“Armenia has made significant progress in developing a security policy and strategy. Nevertheless, the regulator faces a critical situation related to human resources”, said Hans Wanner, the head of the Integrated Legislative Review team, director general of the Swiss Federal Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety.
On the Metsamor power station
For more than twenty years, the Armenian or Metsamor nuclear power plant has remained a key element in the republic’s energy security system. It provides about 40 percent of the electricity generated in Armenia.
This is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus. The building of the nuclear power plant is able to withstand an earthquake of magnitude nine points. This is important because Armenia is in an unstable seismic zone.
The facility was commissioned in 1977. After the devastating earthquake in the north of the country in 1988, the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR decided to stop the operation of nuclear power plants. This was due to the likelihood of aftershocks.
However, five years later, in 1993, the authorities of independent Armenia had to restart the second power unit of the station, given there was an absence of other sources of electricity.
This was the only way out of the energy crisis that began in the country after the collapse of the USSR and the blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Banks.am, Armenia
July 31 2019
Grant Thornton conducts an analysis of Armenia’s real estate market
Grant Thornton has conducted a new analysis of the real estate market in Armenia, released in July 2019, which is mainly based on the review of historical data.
“The report, available in Armenian and English languages, is an independent, objective, comprehensive and trusted study intended to help both individuals searching for data and real estate market time series analysis, as well as persons and organizations involved in the real estate market who need not only pure data or statistics, but also analysis of the transactions in the market and the types of real estate,” the statement reads.
This analysis provides an insight on the structure of the real estate market, transactions and types of property, enables a thorough understanding of the market developments and comparison of the latest trends with those from the previous years.
Grant Thornton noted that Armenia’s real estate market, after the decline and moderate growth in the recent years, showed substantial growth in 2018 mainly due to positive political and economic expectations of the market’s potential buyers, reaching its ever high maximum of more than 160 thousand transactions. This is a 13% growth as compared to the previous year.
“Download the full report from our website, and share with all interested individuals and organizations. Feel free to reach out to our advisors at Grant Thornton Armenia for more information on the study, as well as for professional advice in relation to real estate matters,” the company’s statement sums up.
