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Armenian Government ratifies agreement on joint troops with Russia

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The Armenian Government approved the law on ratifying agreement on Joint Group of Forces between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation at a session on Thursday.

To remind, on July 14, the Russian State Duma ratified the above-mentioned agreement.

The agreement signed in Moscow on November 30 2016 determines the purpose, the procedure of formation, deployment and operation of the joint group of forces. The alliance is formed in the Caucasian Region of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, aimed at timely detecting the possible attacks, maintaining control over the two country’s land borders, as well as taking part in air-defense and information infrastructure protection operations.

Under the deal, the staff of the Joint Group of Forces will be determined by the Russian and Armenian Defense Ministries based on the joint analysis of the military-political situation, as well as the agreed conclusions.

The agreement’s validity period is five years with a possibility of further extension.

Armenia TUMO Team conquers bronze at the FIRST Global youth robotics competition

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Armenian TUMO Team conquers bronze at the FIRST Global youth robotics competitionArmenia’s TUMO Center for Creative Technologies team won a bronze medal taking the third place at the FIRST Global youth robotics competition held in Washington, D.C.

FIRST, an acronym meaning For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, was established in 1989 and has organized local robotics competitions for elementary and high school students for many years.  However, this year marked the first time they held a global competition, The Armenian Weekly reported

Tumo team left ahead only the European united team and Poland in a competition that brought together teams representing 163 countries.

The Armenian team comprised 14-18 years old TUMO students, including Maria Ter-Minasyan, Davit Hovhannisyan Tigran Kirakosyan, Aram Madatsyan, Lilit and Ashot Tarumyans as well as the team leader, TUMO robotics class trainer Hayk Voskanyan.

The team will arrive in Yerevan on July 21.

Armenia: SHANT TV launches an HD TV package with Eutelsat for the Armenian Diaspora

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shant tvToday’s launch of the first Armenian pay-TV package on the HOTBIRD reference audiovisual hub for Europe, Western Russia and the Middle East

The Armenian private audiovisual group SHANT TV announced today that it has launched a new bouquet on the HOTBIRD satellite cluster operated by Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), following the signature of a leasing capacity contract several years.

Present on HOTBIRD for nearly ten years with its channel SHANT TV, the audiovisual group will offer the first Armenian TV pay-TV package to viewers residing in the satellite coverage area in Europe, Western Russia and the Middle East. Fully High Definition (HD) and available from 5 euros per month, this bouquet will include SHANT Premium, Armenia Premium and SHANT Music. It will be distributed directly to households equipped with a dish and a decoder as well as to the cabled and IP networks which will be able to take it back in their offers.

The Armenian community, which represents more than 4 million people in this geographical area, will be able to see in a superior image quality a program offering consisting of numerous newsletters, series, films, music videos But also local adaptations of franchises such as X-Factor or Who wants to earn millions?

Arthur Yezekyan, president and founder of SHANT TV LLC, said: “According to the results of our study, out of Armenia half the audience of SHANT Premium watches our channel from Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD audiovisual center. This was a significant factor in our decision to select HOTBIRD for the distribution of our new offer. We thank Eutelsat for its support and support, especially in the technical and marketing fields. “

Michel Azibert, Eutelsat’s Sales and Development Director, said: “HOTBIRD’s broad coverage, coupled with an offer of 1,000 channels in over 30 languages, makes it a reference audiovisual hub for television Wish to respond to the demand for specific language markets scattered over several territories. In this regard, we are pleased to continue and expand our collaboration with SHANT TV, which builds on HOTBIRD to reach the Armenian Diaspora spread across several countries. The shift from a Standard Broadcast (SD) channel to a bunch of several HD channels also testifies to the dynamics of the transition to High Definition, especially on HOTBIRD, which already hosts 280 channels in this format. “

Saturday, July 15, 2017,
Stéphane © armenews.com

Armenia: Iskander missiles impossible to be down by any Azerbaijani weapon – defense ministry spox

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iskanderIskander missiles are impossible to be shot down by any Azerbaijani weapon, Armenian Defense Ministry’s spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in an interview with Panorama.am, commenting on the recent statement by Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, claiming that the Azerbaijani armed forces possess anti-missile weapons capable of shooting down Armenia’s Iskander missile systems.

“Zakir Hasanov stands out with his low level of knowledge, which is at lower level than the one of a platoon commander. He has shown it in multiple occasions. To put it mildly, it is impossible to shoot down Iskander missiles by any system of Azerbaijan. That country’s arsenal features Israeli Barak 8 missile system, which they have put on display. The claims also referred to the purchase of a weaker Iron Dome Weapon System. None of these systems is capable of downing the Iskander Missile,” the spokesman noted, adding that the U.S. Army officers having the most powerful missile defense systems like Standard, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot, do not confidently claim about downing Iskander missiles even after those weapons undergo multiple modifications.

“They (the U.S. military) openly point out the great danger and invulnerability of this weapon, however Zakir Hasanov has already overcome that weapon. On the other hand, there is nothing surprising when this is stated by a person with a very low level of professional knowledge and known for his empty talks,” Mr. Hovhannisyan added.

Armenia to join NATO military drills in Georgia

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Armenia will take part in NATO military exercises in Georgia later this year.

The annual multinational drills, entitled Georgia-NATO Agile Spirit 2017, are expected bring together troops from US, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, as well as Georgia.

The initiative is aimed at fostering military cooperation among the NATO member states and partners.

The scheduled timeframe of the event is from 31 August to 12 September.

Armenia: Environmentalists raise concerns amid the parliament hearing on controversial law on water removal from Lake Sevan

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Representative of environmental NGOs held a rally on Tuesday in front of Armenia’s National Assembly to protest the hearing of the controversial draft Law on “Approving the Annual and Complex Programmes of the Restoration, Preservation, Reproduction and Use Events of Lake Sevan Ecosystems.”

Initiated by the Government, the bill proposes to increase water drainage from Lake Sevan by 100 million square meters to make in total 270 million square meters, which is assessed as a deadly hazard for the lake, as it will lose the strategic reserve of the freshwater and cause irreversible damage to the lake ecosystem.

Protesters call on the government and the lawmakers to stop all the projects regarding Lake Sevan arguing those would have disastrous consequences for one the world’s exceptional sweet water resources. Silva Adamyan, told Panorama.ma the restoration of the ecosystem and the quality of the water will be extremely difficult.
The bill that was earlier debated and endorsed by the Parliament Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Agriculture and Environment for debating in the first reading in the National Assembly Extraordinary Session, is justified by irrigation purposes.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov pointed out at the Parliament hearing to the urgent need of providing irrigation water to 130 thousand villagers to be able to cultivate some 40 thousand hectares of land.
The key speaker, Chairman of the State Committee for Water Management of the RA Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Arsen Harutyunyan presented the project, suggesting the Givernment has adopted a balanced approach to the matter.

 

Source Panorama.am

Parliament speaker emphasizes development of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations, highlights the cooperation in terms of Armenia-EU relations

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armenia bulgaria relationThe Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament Ara Babloyan received on Tuesday Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova-Kaymaktchieva, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Armenia.

As the Parliament release reads, welcoming the Ambassador in the Armenian National Assembly, Ara Babloyan has underlined the old friendship and cultural connections formed between the two countries, which is a basis for the development of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations.

Ara Babloyan highlighted the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of cooperation.

The RA NA Speaker stressed the importance of the activities of the parliamentary Friendship Groups and noted that Jemma Baghdasaryan will lead the National Assembly Armenia-Bulgaria Friendship Group in the near future.

The Head of the parliament touched upon the Constitutional reforms implemented in our country, noting that Armenia had passed onto a system of the parliamentary government. Ara Babloyan also emphasized the cooperation with Bulgaria in terms of Armenia-EU relations.

Regarding the regional problems the RA NA Speaker highlighted the balanced position of Bulgaria in the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict in compliance with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ and EU common position.

Thanking the NA Speaker for the warm reception, Ambassador Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova-Kaymaktchieva highly assessed the relations existing between the two countries. She especially highlighted the role of Bulgaria’s Armenian community in strengthening of bilateral relations. The Ambassador assured that during her diplomatic mission she will continue to do his bestfor further developing and deepening the formed relations. Evaluating the cooperation between the parliamentary Friendship Groups and deepening of cooperation on the international different parliamentary platforms, Maria Pavlova Tzotzorkova-Kaymaktchieva noted that Bulgaria-Armenia Friendship Group has already been formed.

The interlocutors emphasized the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries and the development in the political, economic, cultural, educational and other spheres, the source added.

 

Source Panorama.am

Egypt Ambassador to Armenia have said: Serge Sarkisian invites Sisi to visit his country Armenia 

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Egyptian Ambassador to Armenia Tareq Maati

Egyptian Ambassador to Armenia Tareq Maati السفير طارق معاطى سفير مصر المقيم لدى أرمينيا

By Huda El Masry,

Egyptian Ambassador to Armenia Tareq Maati described the relations between Egypt and Armenia as more than excellent relations at the level of the leaderships of the two countries as well as on the governmental and public levels, adding that President Abdelfattah Al Sisi and President Serzh Sarkisian of the Republic of Armenia have a relationship of friendship and mutual respect.

The Ambassador of Egypt expressed the invitation of the President of Armenia to President Al-Sisi to visit his country and another invitation from Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri to visit Armenia. Armenia appreciates Egypt’s efforts in fighting terrorism on behalf of the world. The two foreign countries and reciprocal invitations for the visit between the two immigration ministers in Egypt and Armenia, where both countries share a large number of their nationals abroad, both for Egypt, which has about 10 million Egyptians abroad, and Armenia, which has a population of 7 million. The two ministers will have an opportunity to exchange experience between the two ministries in this field.

He added that this period is witnessing intensive activity in an attempt to translate the excellent political relations between the two countries on a practical level so that they will have tangible effects and results at a level that is felt by both the Egyptian and Armenian citizens, pointing out the meetings of the joint committee between the two countries, Sahar Nasr and the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation during the coming period.

He continued: There was a delegation from the Armenian Ministry of Technology and Communications to visit Egypt recently, where Egypt is making clear progress in the field of information technology, one of the areas of promising investment between the two countries.

In the field of education, Maati pointed out that there are grants from Egypt to students of Armenia to study in Egyptian universities in addition to courses organized by the Egyptian International Center for Agriculture and received a large turnout, estimated at 5 to 7 annual grants for training in agriculture and livestock, And an envoys from the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to teach Arabic in Armenian universities. In return, there is an initiative from the Aurora Fund, American alliance in Yerevan, stressing the welcome of Armenian universities and the opening of its colleges to Egyptian students

The ambassador pointed out that the direct flights between the cities of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and the Armenian capital Yerevan coincides with 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and that Egypt was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1992, Between the two peoples and the contribution of the Armenian Egyptians in various aspects of life in Egypt.

On the economic side, the ambassador stressed that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is up to 15 million dollars, which is a modest figure, saying: “Therefore, we hope that the regular airline will not only serve the tourism but also increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries through the movement of citizens and He pointed out that Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Union, serving Egypt in its negotiations with the European Union on trade preferences. The Egyptian presence in Armenia opens many other neighboring markets. Egypt has already started its first investment with Armenia in the field of medicines.

He continued: “We hope that the flight line will soon extend to Cairo, adding that this is linked to the progress achieved by Egypt in its war against terrorism and the Egyptian armed forces play the largest role in it.”

He also pointed out that the Armenian capital of Yerevan will witness many cultural and artistic events in Egypt which are being prepared for the Armenian community in Cairo during July and August, including the hosting of an Egyptian musical ensemble and a festival dedicated by Yahya Khalil. The Armenian community is prepared in coordination with the concerned ministries and agencies in both The two countries to hold an exhibition of fine art and hosting the Egyptian artist d. Reham Afifi, who was previously honored in the capital Yerevan by the Minister of the Diaspora in Armenia, as well as the screening of the movie “We are the Armenian Egyptians” during the Yerevan Film Festival in July.

He concluded by saying that there are efforts by members of the community in Egypt to host symbols of artistic life in Egypt of Armenian origin, such as the artist Nili, Lebla and Anoushka, who spent most of their lives in Egypt to honor them in order to highlight the depth of relations between the two countries.

Source: http://www.alnaharegypt.com/t~519017

Energy sector keystone of Armenian-German cooperation – minister

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Armenia Germany energy cooperationThe energy sector is among the keystones of Armenian-German cooperation, Ambassador Matthias Kiesler said today, highlighting the priorities of joint projects.
Speaking at a workshop organized for beneficiaries of a renewable energy loan program, the diplomat said his country has already allocated €150 million of which €50 million was spent on the renovation of the Vorotan Hydro Cascade’s electric power stations.

“We provide money also for retraining courses, so our meeting today is part of those activities. Apart from the energy power project – which has attracted €170 million – we also assist in the regional electric network improvement efforts. To do that we need also legislative regulations and acts,” he said, stressing also the importance of having effectively functioning networks.

The ambassador also called for stepping up the solar power production and evaluating the renewable power sources’ environmental impact.

“It is important for the key actors in the sector to properly understand renewable energy’s environmental impact to reduce it to a minimum,” he added.

Mr Kiesler, who is an electrical engineer by profession, said his country is now embarking on the production of non-traditional energy sources.

“I think that a gradual transition to renewable energy will be very useful for Armenia too. Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is considerably cheaper today, so it can be competitive with the traditional sources. For a country which has the [Metsamor] Nuclear Power Plant, as well as natural gas-powered stations as the key energy producers, it is very important to diversify the energy sources to supplement them with renewable power. That will help Armenia ensure the energy security in the country, as well as reduce the greenhouse gases’ export,” he added.